Document #18 Standard for Minimum Qualifications and 

Training to Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner 

Trainees, Ver. 2.0

Date of First Issue 2/12/10 Current Issue Date 11/16/12

Web Posting Date 11/24/12

Date of Last Review N/A Date of Next Review 02-2015 Appendix present/Letter No

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Document #18

Standards for Minimum Qualifications and Training to 

Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner Trainees

(Latent/Tenprint)

1. Preamble

1.1. This outline provides the recommended training program to achieve competency as a friction ridge 

examiner trainee. A friction ridge examiner conducts analysis, comparison, and evaluation on 

impressions from the raised portion of the epidermis on the palmar or plantar skin. Complex friction 

ridge examinations occur in latent print and tenprint environments.1

1.2. The friction ridge examiner trainee must demonstrate knowledge of the required objectives by 

successfully completing written tests and practical exercises. The trainee must also communicate an 

understanding of the objectives and underlying principles. It is also strongly recommended that trainees 

demonstrate knowledge of the supplemental objectives listed in this document. 

1.3. Prior to becoming a friction ridge examiner, candidates shall possess a bachelor’s degree. The degree 

shall be from an accredited institution and shall include science-related coursework. This degree 

requirement is not intended to apply to friction ridge examiners who are already trained to competency.

1.4. In addition to the objectives listed below, the examiner must achieve competency in the objectives 

outlined in SWGFAST’s document Friction Ridge Examination Methodology for Latent Print Examiners. 

1.5. Instructors and mentors must have demonstrated competency in the topic areas they instruct. 

1.6. The training period for a new trainee in the field of friction ridge examination shall consist of thorough 

instruction (e.g., mentor sessions, research and papers, presentations, moot courts), continued testing, 

and apprenticeship (supervised casework) for the following duration:

1.6.1. Latent Print

1.6.1.1. Minimum

One year of full-time latent print work with the majority of the time spent on the 

analysis, comparison, and evaluation of impressions

 1 See the International Association for Identification Resolution 2009-10
Document #18 Standard for Minimum Qualifications and 

Training to Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner 

Trainees, Ver. 2.0

Date of First Issue 2/12/10 Current Issue Date 11/16/12

Web Posting Date 11/24/12

Date of Last Review N/A Date of Next Review 02-2015 Appendix present/Letter No

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1.6.1.2. Recommended

Two or more years of full-time latent print work with the majority of the time spent on 

the analysis, comparison, and evaluation of impressions

1.6.2. Tenprint

1.6.2.1. Minimum

Six months of full-time tenprint work with the majority of the time spent on the 

analysis, comparison, and evaluation of impressions

1.6.2.2. Recommended

One or more years of full-time tenprint work with the majority of the time spent on 

the analysis, comparison, and evaluation of impressions

2. Required Objectives

2.1. Performance and time requirements (e.g., minimum passing score and minimum or maximum 

completion time requirement)

2.2. Principles and foundations

2.2.1. Understand the basic foundations for friction ridge examination (persistence and uniqueness) 

as a means of identifying the source of an impression

2.2.2. Understand the biology and physiology of friction ridge skin

2.2.3. Knowledge of the history of fingerprints

2.2.4. Understand the use of fingerprints, palmprints, and footprints in criminal and civil applications

2.3. Friction ridge pattern recognition and interpretation

2.3.1. Understand common terminology (e.g., arch, loop, and whorl) and definitions associated with 

friction ridge pattern recognition

2.3.2. Understand pattern recognition and interpretation associated with operational needs of the 

individual agency

2.3.3. Understand friction ridge formations as they relate to recognition, interpretation, and 

individualization

2.3.4. Awareness of classification systems (e.g., Henry, American, Vucetich, and NCIC), based on 

the operational needs of the individual agency

2.4. Friction ridge examination (analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification)

2.4.1. Understand the individual friction ridge structure (e.g., continuity, texture, pore, and edge 

definition) for determining the existence of individualizing details

2.4.2. Ability to analyze friction ridge details to determine the value for comparison

2.4.3. Ability to recognize and utilize friction ridge flow, scars, creases, and other friction ridge details 

for supporting the examination

2.4.4. Ability to recognize and properly determine, when possible, the area from which the friction 

ridges originated

2.4.5. Knowledge of how to properly analyze friction ridge impressions and understand effects such 

as processing technique, color reversal, pressure distortion, slippage, and overlays

2.4.6. Ability to properly conduct a comparison

2.4.7. Ability to render a proper and accurate conclusion
Document #18 Standard for Minimum Qualifications and 

Training to Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner 

Trainees, Ver. 2.0

Date of First Issue 2/12/10 Current Issue Date 11/16/12

Web Posting Date 11/24/12

Date of Last Review N/A Date of Next Review 02-2015 Appendix present/Letter No

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2.4.8. Understand the practice and purpose of verification by another competent friction ridge 

examiner

2.4.9. Understand the role of quality assurance measures in friction ridge examination

2.4.10. Knowledge of various methods used to record known friction ridge impressions and the ability 

to properly evaluate ridge structure based on each method

2.4.11. Knowledge of alteration and mutilation of friction ridge skin

2.4.12. Knowledge of genetic abnormalities of friction ridge skin (e.g., dysplasia, cuspal patterns, and 

dissociated ridges)

2.4.13. Knowledge of the benefits associated with obtaining elimination prints and complete friction 

ridge exemplars

2.4.14. Knowledge of simultaneous or adjacent friction ridge impressions and their value for 

examination

2.4.15. Awareness that different policies and standards exist in the United States and other countries 

regarding friction ridge identification (individualization)

2.4.16. Awareness of the impact(s) resulting from an erroneous conclusion

2.5. Friction ridge detection and preservation (required for latent print and recommended for tenprint, based 

on the operational needs of the individual agency)

2.5.1. Knowledge of the generally accepted techniques for the detection and visualization of friction 

ridge impressions.

2.5.1.1. Ability to assess the effectiveness and results of applied processing techniques

2.5.1.2. Understand generally accepted preservation methods for friction ridge impressions

2.6. Documentation of examination

2.6.1. Understand the level of documentation (required for latent print and recommended for tenprint, 

based on the operational needs of the individual agency).

2.6.1.1. Case records

2.6.1.2. Chain of custody of the evidence

2.6.1.3. Latent print processing

2.6.1.4. The examination process

2.6.1.5. Evidence marking

2.6.1.6. Report writing

2.7. Communication

Ability to accurately explain friction ridge examinations and conclusions in written and verbal form

2.8. Legal issues

2.8.1. Understand the role of expert witness testimony

2.8.2. Knowledge of factors regarding the admissibility of evidence

2.8.3. Knowledge of relevant court cases and case histories

2.8.4. Understand the rules of discovery and evidence

2.8.5. Knowledge of applicable legal challenges to admissibility

2.8.6. Understand critical challenges to the discipline
Document #18 Standard for Minimum Qualifications and 

Training to Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner 

Trainees, Ver. 2.0

Date of First Issue 2/12/10 Current Issue Date 11/16/12

Web Posting Date 11/24/12

Date of Last Review N/A Date of Next Review 02-2015 Appendix present/Letter No

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2.9. Demonstration of competency

Ability to demonstrate all phases of training through practical exercises

2.10. Professional Development

2.10.1. Participate in continuing education

2.10.2. Awareness of relevant professional organizations and publications

2.10.3. Adherence to a code(s) of professional conduct

3. Supplemental Objectives

3.1. Principles and foundations

3.1.1. Understand early methods of personal identification (e.g., scars, marks, tattoos, and the 

Bertillon system)

3.1.2. Awareness of personal identification methods other than friction ridge skin (e.g., iris scan and 

face identification)

3.1.3. Understand the applications of friction ridge impressions for manual or automated repositories 

for “single print” and “unidentified friction ridge impressions”

3.1.4. Understand the objectives outlined in the SWGFAST Standard for Friction Ridge Automation 

Training (Latent/Tenprint)

3.2. Professional development goals

3.2.1. Continued formal education

3.2.2. Contribute to educational opportunities (e.g., seminars, conferences, schools, lectures)

3.2.3. Membership in relevant professional organizations

3.2.4. Achieve International Association for Identification (IAI) or equivalent professional certification 

in tenprint or latent print examination, as applicable
Document #18 Standard for Minimum Qualifications and 

Training to Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner 

Trainees, Ver. 2.0

Date of First Issue 2/12/10 Current Issue Date 11/16/12

Web Posting Date 11/24/12

Date of Last Review N/A Date of Next Review 02-2015 Appendix present/Letter No

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4. Revision Table

Version Effective Start Effective End Posted Archived Change

1.0 02/12/10 11/16/12 3/10/10 11/16/12 Original issue

2.0 11/16/12 N/A 11/24/12 N/A No change to content

Reformatted (start of new 

version number)