How Do You Become A Fingerprint Examiner?
Fingerprint examiners collect, process, study and match fingerprints found at crime scenes to potential victims, witnesses or perpetrators. They work at crime labs, police departments and government agencies. There is no one standard career path or national credentialing process to become a fingerprint examiner. The training and education you need will depend on the type of agency you’d like to work for and the state you live in. However, you can get voluntary certifications through forensic science organization the International Association for Identification. Attend an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in law enforcement, political science, criminal justice or forensic science. You do not need to have a college degree to become certified; however, degrees are often required for jobs in the industry. Complete an internship with a law enforcement agency or crime lab in which you shadow a fingerprint examiner and perform some of the basic job functions. Take courses in fingerprin
