7/86
City of San José
SENIOR LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINER (2243)
CLASS PURPOSE
Under direction, performs work of unusual difficulty and leads and trains
others in the identification, classification
and comparison of latent finger and
palm prints, rolled finger and palm prints and presentation of evidence in court. 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.)
- Performs and leads others in difficult latent print identifications
requiring
a high level of skill to determine positive identification of individuals.
- 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.
- Reviews and certifies tentative identifications made by less experienced
and non-certified examiners.
- Prepares courtroom displays and photographic exhibits and gives expert
testimony in court or formal hearings on
characteristics of latent fingerprint identification
and comparison and findings from latent examination pertinent to
case.
- Utilizes fingerprint comparaters, 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.
- Trains 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 unknown offenders and utilizes resulting
printout to develop lists of probable
suspects.
- Operates and trains others in the use of automated latent fingerprint
systems,
including 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.
- Establishes procedures for training and trains lower level Latent
Fingerprint
Examiners in a variety of fingerprint identification and classification
procedures. Evaluates the progress of trainees and reports to unit
supervisor.
- Prepares a variety of written materials and maintains files as needed.
DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
An employee in this class is responsible for the more difficult latent
print examinations for identification
purposes, using automated and manual fingerprint
comparison methods, and for training lower level Examiners.
Incumbents of this class are certified Latent Fingerprint Examiners, and are
recognized as expert witnesses by the courts.
They 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 methods and procedures used in entry, update, exchange
and retrieval of data in automated fingerprint
systems.
- Knowledge of the Henry System and other related systems of fingerprint
classifications used in filing and searching
for fingerprints.
- Ability to compare and make correct positive identifications of latent and
inked rolled single, partial and distorted
finger and palm prints.
- Ability to prepare latent print evidence for presentation in court.
- Ability to qualify as an expert witness and to give expert testimony
pertaining
to identification by latent prints in criminal and civil court proceedings.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Competency Knowledges, Skills and Abilities
- Knowledge of Police Department procedures related to the Latent
Fingerprint
Unit.
- Ability to lead and train others in latent print comparison and
identification
and fingerprint classification.
- Ability to write clear and concise reports.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with others.
Training and Experience
Any combination of training and experience equivalent to five (5) years
experience performing latent print comparison
and print identification work.
Licenses/Certificates
Possession of current certification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner.
Possession of a valid California driver's license.
(2568Z)