CLPEX Chat Board

I am trying to revamp SOP's / Best Practices / IOP's for our police department regarding latent print comparisons. Would someone be able to provide me with a copy of what you are using or be able to point me in the direction on where I can begin. This is what we have at this point (Updated 2012).
Thanks for taking the time to help me out. I can be reached at Troy.Vincenzo@newcastlede.gov


INTERNAL OPERATING PROCEDURES UPDATED APRIL 4, 2012
CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS UNIT
14.23 All subsequent actions involving the same person, on different dates and/or times, will receive the same complaint number as reported on the crime report. The information will be documented on supplemental reports.
14.24 AFIS/Latent Fingerprint Examiner:
14.25 The AFIS/Latent Fingerprint Examiner is responsible for the identification of latent fingerprints, palm prints and footprints to known and unknown subjects. The examiner will:
a. Review and log in all latent fingerprints recovered by the Division’s officers and detectives.
b. Enter latent fingerprints in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System database for comparison to other crimes and suspects.
c. Conduct latent fingerprint comparisons for the Division and other agencies requesting assistance.
d. Testify in court.
e. Provide continued instruction and training to the Evidence Detection Squad detectives, patrol officers, Police Academy recruit officers and outside law enforcement agencies’ personnel when requested.
f. Identify and provide the latest scientific methods used to obtain latent fingerprints for the Division.
14.26 AFIS/Latent Fingerprint Examiner Specific Duties:
a. Evaluate fingerprint evidence collected by the patrol division for quality and value.
b. Review Portal postings along with daily and weekly recaps.
c. Process items of evidence collected by patrol, detectives which include evidence detection technicians for latent fingerprints.
d. Maintain log sheets, chain of custody forms and report writing.
e. Compare latent fingerprints.
f. Operate the AFIS computer which includes entering latent fingerprints.
g. Chart latent fingerprint evidence for prosecution in court.
h. Maintain major case print cards.
i. Respond to scenes for latent fingerprint processing.
j. Conduct training for evidence detection technicians, patrol officers, recruit officers and outside law enforcement personnel when requested.

A number of agencies have their manuals/SOP's online. That may be a good place to start. Search Latent Print Manuals in google and you should be able to get Virginia, Texas, Las Vegas and a couple more.
Second would be to look at the OSAC documents for Friction Ridge Analysis. There are a number of draft documents available for review.

What you posted looks more like a job description rather than a set of policies and procedures that may have thrown some people off.

Hope this gives you a starting point.

Vinnie2551 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 17, 2021 6:48 am 91 people viewed this as of 11-17-21 and not one response.........

A lot of those "hits" were bots that regularly search chat boards. But still, I think most people are too unsure to want to comment.

Check the IAI training provider, https://www.tritechtraining.com/ for their classes and webinars. Look for "Quality Management" or related course titles and subjects. Those will be the classes in current policies and procedures, although probably not with detailed instruction for a complete set of documents in any single class. But contact one of those instructors. They will probably be able to give you better advice that the readers here who are reluctant to comment.

Good luck!

Good afternoon,

The Houston Forensic Science Center maintains their SOP's on their website for public access. If you have questions regarding those documents feel free to reach to me.

Jen

Thank you for the responses! I will take a look at all those suggestions that you all provided. Coming from a state with only 5 examiners in the entire state, I haven't been able to find much locally. Thank you again, Troy