Latent Print Certification Career Development

[S. Siegel]

Last year in Boston, I heard the Latent Print Certification Board was considering a Career Development program like the Crime Scene Certification program. Crime Scene has a beginning, intermediate and then an advanced level. With the LPC program I believe they were discussing a Career Development program with two different levels.

I support a career level program for the following reasons:

1. There are still some who are coming into this discipline without a college degree. A Career Development program would assist them and they would not have to wait the 4-7 years for certification.

2. Most professional disciplines have a Career Development program. It’s like starting at the top and having no where to go.

3. Most importantly there are people working out there with no certification. Even though they are qualified they can not meet the current standards or are too afraid to try because they have heard how hard it is. The first level would measure their ability and offer some control where currently there is none.

I have just taken the test and passed, but I’m a full time Latent Print Examiner (I do not go to crime scenes or process evidence). The comparison part does require a high level of ability. This will help those who have other duties and may take a little longer to reach that level.

I feel it would benefit the profession as a whole by filling the gaps. This will not lessen the accomplishments of those that have already taken the test, but serve the community by bringing in those working without any certification at all.

I’ve asked around to see if this proposal has gone any further and have gotten the feeling that the issue is dying. If you support a Career Development program you can get in touch with someone on the LP Certification board and let the know. If you will be at the conference in San Diego and would like an open debate, go to the general meeting on Wednesday from 3:00 to 5:00.

Sandy