Instructor: Cameron Stauffer

Course length: 16 hours

This course is designed to instruct individuals who processes fingerprint evidence. Instruction will focus on common types of distortion observed in latent prints, techniques that can be used to collect high-quality fingerprint evidence and guidance on how to make more informed decisions regarding the submission of collected evidence for further analysis by a latent print examiner.

Course Objectives:

Provide an overview of the ACE‑V scientific methodology (Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification) as applied in the latent print discipline.
Explain the three levels of friction ridge detail—including ridge flow, pattern type, ridge counts, minutiae and their formations, ridgeoscopy, and poroscopy—and discuss how proper processing techniques can maximize the overall development of the impression.
Discuss the factors that determine whether an impression is considered “of value” or “no value” and explain the true meaning of sufficient and how to determine how much is enough to draw a conclusion.
Overview on the skin glands and how certain processing chemicals target specific “regions” of the fingerprint residue left behind on surfaces.
Describe the three primary types of impressions encountered at crime scenes and outline which surfaces or items can be processed or photographed for latent print development.
Provide instruction on friction ridge distortion, including the mechanisms, environmental factors, and deposition conditions that influence how an impression appears as it does.
Demonstrate that latent prints collected at the scene can often be further developed or enhanced by Crime Scene or Latent Print personnel. Present examples of common distortion types—such as deposition pressure, matrix variation, developmental medium distortion, substrate distortion, and tonal or positional reversals—and explain how these factors affect the quality of the developed latent impression.
Discuss potential fingerprint processing chemicals, the reaction that takes place and whether ALS or LASER is needed for visualization.
Analysis exercises will be provided for class discussion, explaining the overall analysis of the print, types of distortion present within the print and ultimately the “valueness” of the print in question.
Hands on distortion exercises (create your own) as well taking legible prints instruction/techniques.

A written examination will follow the course and a minimum score of 80% or higher is required to successfully pass the course and receive certificate of completion.

Cameron Stauffer

Specialties

Fingerprint Science, Latent Print Examination

TFT Contract Courses Taught

Advanced Latent Print Examination Courtroom Testimony for Fingerprint Examiners Understanding Latent Print Quality

About Cameron Stauffer

Holding a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of South Carolina and a Technical Certificate in Mathematics/English from the Technical College of the Lowcountry. He is also certified by the International Association for Identification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner (CLPE).

Cameron is a Past President of the FDIAI and is a member of the parent body IAI, Rocky Mountain Division of the IAI, Texas Division of the IAI, and Gold Coast Forensic Association. He is also on the Latent Print Science and Practices Committee and sits on the Board of Directors of the FDIAI.

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