LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINER II (2242)

3-6-80

Revised & Retitled: 12-6-82

City of San José

LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINER II (2242)

CLASS PURPOSE

Under direction, performs work of unusual difficulty in the identification, classification and comparison of latent finger and palm prints, rolled finger and palm prints. Performs related work as required.

TYPICAL DUTIES AND RESULTS (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.)

Receives latent prints developed by law enforcement officers at crime scenes; evaluates them for sufficiency of characteristics for comparison purposes; makes positive identification of individuals from the minutia inherent to each individual.
Prepares courtroom displays and photographic exhibits and gives expert testimony in court or formal hearings on characteristics of latent fingerprint identification and comparison.
Utilizes fingerprint comparators, magnifiers, ridge counters and other technical and scientific equipment for observing and comparing latent prints.
Maintains communications with Federal, State and local law enforcement agencies and identification units.
Maintains appropriate files as required.
May occasionally roll inked impressions of suspects, victims and witnesses; advises and instructs employees in rolling proper inked prints and in the proper method of gathering latent prints for evidence.
Encodes latent prints into automated system for search against data base of known offenders and utilizes resulting printout to develop lists of probable suspects.
Operates automated latent fingerprint system to include computer and/or microfilm systems; edits and updates automated fingerprint system information as necessary.
Operates other automated systems such as Criminal Justice Information Control (CJIC) to determine and develop information on suspects, victims, witnesses and cases or office equipment and machines such as typewriter, photocopier and microfilm reader, as necessary.
Trains Latent Fingerprint Examiner I incumbents and certifies their identifications when appropriate.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

An employee in this class performs latent print examinations for identification purposes by using fingerprint comparison methods such as comparison of unknown to known fingerprints by visual means or by entering them into an automated search system, and develops and recovers latent prints from evidence. Incumbents of this class are called upon to prepare reports of their findings and to give expert testimony in criminal and civil court proceedings as to their findings.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the Henry System of fingerprint classification used in filing and searching for fingerprints and other related systems as used in and for classification.
Ability to compare and identify latent and inked rolled single, partial and distorted finger and palm prints.
Ability to provide effective testimony in court and clearly express oneself under stress in courtroom examination and/or cross-examination.

Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of the methods and procedures used in entry, update, exchange and retrieval of data in automated fingerprint systems; office procedures and practices.
Ability to become qualified as an expert witness and to give expert testimony pertaining to identification by latent prints in criminal and civil court proceedings.
Ability to prepare latent print evidence for presentation in court.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others.

Training and Experience

Any combination of training and experience equivalent to three (3) years experience performing technical identification work including comparison and identification of latent print material and classification of inked fingerprints.

Licenses

Qualification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner must be obtained within a reasonable amount of time following employment.

Possession of a valid California driver's license.

Formerly Latent Fingerprint Examiner

(1027Z)