Fingerprint_Technician

Fingerprint Technician Dawn Burkhert October 23, 2009 A fingerprint technician does exactly what it says. They classify and compare fingerprints. There are many qualifications, functions, and advancement levels involved. There is also a specific work environment and physical demands involved. As a technician gains more knowledge and advances in position, they gain more responsibility. Of course, the first thing a technician has to have an education. The education requirement depends on the city, county, or state. Some places require only a high school diploma and general office experience. Other places may require an associate’s or a bachelor’s degree in a field such as chemistry or biology. Finding a position that does not require previous experience as a fingerprint technician may not always be easy. Knowledge and ability is also a key element to whether or not a person gets the job for which they apply. Required knowledge may include computer data processing, criminal history requirements, presentation techniques for court, and general knowledge of fingerprint identification and its technology. Abilities can include learning new job-related material, checking the work of others, compiling reports, analyze fingerprint patterns, use of the Henry and/or NCIC system, and the ability to work well with others, just to name a few. Other requirements before hire may include a valid driver’s license in the applied state and AFIS certification. Job functions are pretty much the same no matter where you work. These functions include classification and search of fingerprint cars against an automated system, verify matches and return the results to those who requested them, maintain proper records, review of arrest packages to ensure legality, and enter the data of those packages into the computer. Physical requirements can include the ability to lift and carry a certain amount of weight and to visually analyze and compare prints. The work environment may require a person to work alone in an office-type environment and may not allow for a lot of outside interaction. Advancement, as with most jobs, comes with experience. Anew technician with no experience is employee as more of a trainee in order to learn the required skills and such while being supervised. At the next level, a technician is increasing their abilities and is given a little more responsibility. At the “experienced” level, the technician can perform the full range of tasks, just short of supervision. The supervisor is usually at the most advanced level. They spend most of their time supervising the less experienced technicians. Just as any other job, a fingerprint technician has many requirements and responsibilities. They also gain the ability to advance with the more knowledge they gain. It seems just like any other job. There are not a whole lot of jobs like this, however, that give people the ability to help catch criminals and put them where they belong. The knowledge of hopefully helping to put the bad of society behind bars could be the very reason people chose to take on such a position. References Unknown,. In City of Scottsdale. Retrieved Oct. 16, 2009, from www.scottsdaleaz.gov/assets/documents/jobs/jobs_de Unknown,. In Michigan Civil Service Commission Job Specification. Retrieved Oct. 17, 2009, from www.michigan.gov/documents/FingerprintTechnician_1