Friction Ridge Examination

Course Description

Friction ridge examination is the applied arm of friction ridge science that uses knowledge from the science which is then applied to friction skin impressions and images to answer questions like, "who made this impression?", "is this impression useful?", "is this impression suitable for a purpose?", "is this impression suitable for a comparison to another impression?". The primary goal of friction ridge examination is the reliable examination of friction ridge impressions and images relative to criminal investigations.

This course provides a modern comprehensive approach to examining the data located within friction ridge impressions. The course also guides the course participants with the interpretation of that data, and the process by which friction ridge impressions are analyzed, compared, and evaluated. This course also discusses the limits of the science based on current research and proper documentation practices to achieve these goals.

Completion of this course prepares students for work in the field and familiarizes them with the requirements to support forensic investigations with their respective forensic services provider and to be able to testify to their work in a judicial proceeding.

Target Audience

People employed as latent print examiners, or those looking to become, or understand the work of a latent print examiner. This could include anyone in the investigative fields, including law enforcement, military, lawyers, judges, criminalists and criminologists, mass disaster responders, and policy makers. As such, any of these professionals stand to benefit from this course.

The material is also appropriate for undergraduate and graduate students in the fields of criminology, forensic science, law, biology, anthropology, and any other related disciplines.

Student Learning Outcomes

In this course, you will:

1. Learn about the varieties of data contained within friction ridge impressions, and how to value that data;
2. Learn a systematic approach to analyzing, comparing and evaluating that data along with a friction ridge annotation system;
3. Learn about the comparison process and how to value that process; 
4. Learn the limitations of friction ridge analysis, comparison, and evaluation;
5. Learn how to evaluate friction ridge comparisons
6. Learn how to document the entire friction ridge examination process, and how to present friction ridge examination Court exhibits

Course Schedule

This course is designed for online, asynchronous delivery with an estimated course duration of two to four hours per module for a total of 20 to 40 hours. There are 10 modules and students may go through the material at their own pace within a maximum 11-week period. Modules are designed to progress in chronological order.