Police Latent Print Examiner

The City of Alexandria is located in northern Virginia, and is bordered by the District of Columbia (Potomac River), Arlington, and Fairfax counties. With a population of approximately 150,000 and a land area of 15.75 square miles, Alexandria is the seventh largest city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Alexandria has a charming waterfront and is a unique and historic place to live and work. About one-quarter of the City ’ s square miles have been designated as a national or local historic district. We proudly embrace our rich history and seize the endless opportunities that lie ahead. If you are interested in working for the vibrant City of Alexandria, we invite qualified candidates to apply for a position as our Latent Print Examiner.

An Overview

A Latent Print Examiner with the Alexandria Police Department examines latent finger, palm and foot prints for identification purposes. This process involves analyzing, comparing and verifying latent prints to known prints. The job includes documenting, evaluating, analyzing and preserving friction ridge evidence. The incumbent will complete reports, provide documentation of analysis, and provide information to investigators, detectives and/or attorneys. The Latent Print Examiner testifies in court as an expert witness as needed.

What You Should Bring
The ideal candidate must have the ability to process, analyze and compare latent fingerprint and palm prints. The candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant forensic field, at a minimum, from an accredited four year college or university. The candidate will receive known fingerprints and palm prints from various resources that concern the field of identification. The candidate will also be expected to operate Automated Fingerprint Identification Computer System (AFIS) to analyze and input latent fingerprint records. The candidate, if selected, must process daily arrest forms; correlates FBI and CCRE returns. The candidate must be able to prepare detailed charts, exhibits, and documents of fingerprint evidence for trial, participate in pre-trial conferences, and testify in court as an expert witness in the field of fingerprint and palm print identification. The candidate will be expected to perform varied clerical duties and communication functions to facilitate coordinated fingerprint data in the crime analysis effort, and other duties as requested. The candidate will also be expected to participate in and master on-going training to maintain their proficiency in the latent examination field.

The Opportunity - Examples of Work

• Analyses latent prints to determine if they are of value for comparison purposes.
• Compares latent prints to the known prints of victims, suspects, and/or any individuals assumed of touching such object/surface.
• Compares complex, unidentified latent fingerprints to the computer-generated list of known persons with previous criminal histories, utilizing automated fingerprint identification technology.
• Prepares documentation of analysis and reports.
• Processes criminal and civil ten-print fingerprint and palm print cards; including quality control of the ten-print cards, consolidations of fingerprint records, and file maintenance.
• Prepares detailed charts, exhibits, and documents of fingerprint evidence for trial, participates in pre-trial conferences, and testifies in court as an expert in the field of fingerprint and palm print identification.
• Performs related work as required.

About the Department

The City of Alexandria Police Department is a nationally recognized and accredited law enforcement agency providing services to a diverse community. A group of talented professionals, the Alexandria Police Department is a dedicated team of people who, in partnership with the community, work to create and maintain a safe and secure environment for our residents, merchants, and visitors. We are a diverse organization, reflecting Alexandria’s various cultures and offering many different career and promotional opportunities.

Minimum & Additional Requirements

High School Diploma or GED; four years of experience in a relevant fingerprint field; or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelors of science degree or higher from an accredited college or university in a relevant forensic field; One year of experience with fingerprint pattern recognition, comparing latent print with known prints, and recording fingerprints (inked and LiveScan); Successful completion of a latent print training program and/or demonstration of competency in the accuracy of latent print identifications; Experience with or working knowledge of ACE-V; Experience with the recording and/or taking of physical fingerprints; The ability to process various items/materials using a variety of fingerprint processing techniques, e.g., powders/chemicals that are routinely used to facilitate latent print processing; Certification as a Latent Print Examiner by the International Association of Identification (IAI); Experience using MorphoTrak AFIS and/or NEC AFIS systems; Previously qualified as an expert witness or courtroom testimony experience.

Notes

Note: Candidates who qualify for an interview will be tested in the accuracy of latent print identifications and fingerprint patter recognition. Candidates must pass the test to be qualified for this position.

This position requires the successful completion of the following pre-employment background checks:

• Polygraph
  
• Drug Screen
  
• Criminal Background Checks (local and federal)