In the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory, Latent Print Examiners are required to hold a minimum of a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. They must have 20/20 or corrected 20/20 eyesight with no form blindness. Once hired, examiners must complete the MSFL Latent Print Training Program (a formal two-year program) or its equivalent in training and experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
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Mississippi Forensics Laboratory
Latent Prints
What is required to be a latent Print Examiner?
When an examiner finishes the training program, do they continue to be trained or further their education?
Yes, continuing education is a requirement. Latent Print Examiners attend training conferences or schools each year. In addition, they are required to keep updated on new techniques or innovations in Fingerprint Science via correspondence with other examiners throughout the United States and by reading professional journals.
What is AFIS?
AFIS stands for Automated Fingerprint Identification System. AFIS is a system in which images of known fingerprints are converted into code and stored in a computer database. Utilizing this database of known fingerprints, other images of inked fingerprints and unidentified latent fingerprints are then searched through the system to determine identity. The system converts the prints that are being searched into coded language and finds, for example, the top ten images in the system that most closely resemble the search code for the image being searched. It should be noted that AFIS doesn't identify anyone. A qualified examiner compares the images reported by the AFIS and determines if identity of the searched inked or latent fingerprint can be established.