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Latent Print Certification Home Page

Are any concessions being made for training hours/credits requirements for initial certification / recertification, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the cancellations of conferences?

The FCMB made a joint decision, applicable to all certification programs, that there would be no change to the current process, and the requirements for both initial certification and recertification remain in place. There are a number of avenues to obtain training hours/credits (including dozens of approved online courses) – please refer to the Certification Program Operations Manual for details. Internal training programs can also be used, provided that they have been submitted for review to the LPCB.

What are the main reasons an initial certification or re-certification application gets returned for correction?

1. Claiming training courses that are not on the approved list. If a course is desired to be used that does not appear on the approved courses list, please submit a course syllabus to the LPCB before submitting your application.
2. Initial certification applicants: lack of a completed Courtroom Testimony Form. The form is to be filled out by a person who has knowledge of how the moot court requirement was met (for example, a supervisor of the latent print certification applicant; a testimony training provider; etc.). This must be attached prior to submitting your application, and should be attached with the Training Documents in eCert.
3. No double-dipping is allowed for conferences/workshops. If full conference attendance is claimed, the applicant cannot also claim a workshop that was attended at the same conference, as the hours have already been accounted for in the conference attendance. An applicant can claim either, not both.
4. Initial certification applicants: must account for an additional 16 hours of courtroom testimony training (additional to the 160 hours of required training). This training must be an approved course (course syllabi can be submitted to the LPCB for approval).

Where do I attach the Courtroom Testimony Form for my initial certification application, and what needs to be in it?

The Courtroom Testimony Form should be attached with the Training Documents in eCert, and it needs to have been completed by a person who has knowledge of how the moot court requirement was met (for example, a supervisor of the latent print certification applicant; a testimony training provider; etc.). The moot court may be internally or externally provided, and must meet the following minimum criteria:

• Minimum of 30 minutes length
• Qualifying questions and voir dire on qualifications
• Direct testimony to include the foundational aspects of the science of friction ridge examination

Define ‘latent print’; Deposition factors; Development methods; Permanence; Uniqueness

• Cross examination on the foundational aspects of the science of friction ridge examination
• Direct testimony on the introduction of evidence and the analysis, comparison and evaluation process
• Cross examination on the analysis, comparison and evaluation process

Can I take the initial certification comparison test digitally (on-screen)? Is there an extra fee for doing so?

Yes, the initial certification comparison test can be taken digitally (on-screen). The LPCB has rolled out a digital solution involving a mini computer. The mini computer gets shipped to the proctor, along with a hard copy of the written portion a of the test. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that they have a monitor (VGA, Digital Port or HDMI), mouse and keyboard (USB) at the testing location – only the mini computer is shipped. It is loaded with Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020, so it is strongly recommended that applicants choosing the digital solution familiarize themselves with Elements before they take the test (free trial versions of the software are available from Adobe).
At this time, there is no additional fee for choosing the digital option. However, a portion of the cost may be the responsibility of the applicant in the future – the LPCB will do our best to minimize any such cost.
Please be aware that there may be some delays if you choose to take the test digitally (on-screen), as there are currently a limited number of mini computers available.

How long does the initial certification / re-certification process take?

Review of applications begins within a few days of an application being submitted (including payment). If any changes are required, the applicant will be contacted for corrections. The entire certification/recertification process takes an average of 30-60 days to complete once the application is submitted.

Where can I find the list of approved courses to use as credits for initial certification / re-certification?

The current list of approved courses is available on the IAI website, under Certifications -> Latent Print, and is found under Useful Information under the “LPCB Approved Courses” link.

Do online classes count for credits towards initial certification / re-certification?

Yes, as long as the online classes have been approved, they may be used as credits. The LPCB has a criteria for assessing online courses and their suitability for use as credits. The current list of approved courses is available on the IAI website.

Can I use an internal training program for credits towards initial certification / re-certification?

Yes, as long as the course(s) have been approved, they may be used as credits. If a course is desired to be used that does not appear on the approved courses list, please submit a course syllabus to the LPCB before submitting your application. The current list of approved courses is available on the IAI Certification webpage.

Does training count toward years of experience for initial certification applicants?

We do consider training time to be applicable, provided the time was dedicated to latent print comparisons.  Not having specific knowledge of how individual agencies implement their training programs, the following list of questions have been used to help determine someone’s eligibility:

1. Does the applicant’s current day-to-day responsibilities routinely require the comparison of latent print cases?
2. What percentage of their overall responsibilities are directly related to latent comparison activities?
3. If the applicant has other responsibilities (i.e. crime scene, tenprint functions, etc.) what percentage of their daily operations is dedicated to those tasks?
4. How long has the applicant been in this position and conducted latent print comparison tasks?

Training and experience in tenprint and crime scene would not be applicable, but if your duties involved 75% or more in latent comparisons, the LPCB would consider it as meeting this requirement.

How do I know if I'm ready to take the initial certification test?

Should you have any concerns regarding your readiness, the LPCB recommends that you have a certified examiner assess you for readiness. There are a number of certification preparation courses available. Whilst none are directly endorsed by the LPCB, a number have been approved for use as credits toward initial certification.

How many exclusions are on the initial certification / re-certification tests?

The Latent Print Certification Board does not state a specific number of identifications or exclusions for any test, however it has been determined that an identification or an exclusion conclusion can be arrived at for all latents on each test (there are no inconclusive findings on any test).

Is there still a pattern recognition section on the initial certification test?

No. The pattern recognition section was removed from the initial certification test at the 2018 IAI Conference in San Antonio.

Will I need to perform a Henry classification as part of the initial certification test?

No. This requirement was removed from the initial certification test a number of years ago.

Who do I contact for password resets or for changing email addresses on file for eCert?

Please contact the IAI Home Office on (954) 589 0628. The LPCB Secretary cannot help with password resets or changing email addresses in eCert.