Latent FAQs:

Latent Print Certification Home Page

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. The moot court can be from any time in the applicant’s career, it does not need to have been from within the last 5 years preceding the application submission.
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). The 16 hours of courtroom testimony training must have been received within the last 5 years preceding the application submission – the other 160 hours can be from any time in the applicant’s career.

Does my training for initial certification have to have been received with the last 5 years?

Only the 16 hours of courtroom testimony training needs to have been received within the last 5 years preceding the application submission. The other 160 hours of required latent print specific training does not need to have been received within the last 5 years preceding the application submission.

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 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 very similar current Elements software are available from Adobe, and Elements 2020 how-to videos are widely available on the internet, eg. on YouTube).
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.
The LPCB acknowledge that Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 is now end-of-life as of mid 2026. The LPCB is working on a long term solution for initial certification digital testing to replace the mini computers.
 

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:

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

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

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

The moot court can be from any time in the applicant’s career (does not need to be from within the last 5 years preceding the application submission), provided that it meets the minimum criteria above. Actual testimony cannot be used as a substitute for the moot court requirement.

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 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 very similar current Elements software are available from Adobe, and Elements 2020 how-to videos are widely available on the internet, eg. on YouTube).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.The LPCB acknowledge that Adobe Photoshop Elements 2020 is now end-of-life as of mid 2026. The LPCB is working on a long term solution for initial certification digital testing to replace the mini computers.

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?

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.

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?

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).

Who do I contact for password resets, changing email addresses on file for eCert, payment assistance or providing receipts of payment?

Please contact the IAI Home Office on +1 (954) 589 0628. The LPCB Secretary cannot help with password resets or changing email addresses in eCert; or payment assistance or providing receipts of payment.