Today's examiners are required to possess a Bachelor's degree with chemistry as a part of the curriculum.  Once they gain entrance in the discipline, they begin an extensive two-year training program under the supervision of a senior latent print examiner.  They are given instruction in photography of latent prints, processing of evidence, and the comparison of latent prints against known impressions.  A strong foundation of the history and theory of latent prints is also provided to the new examiner.  Other areas of instruction include how to testify as an expert in court and how to process and investigate crime scenes.

The basic premises that support identifying an individual by latent prints have gone unchanged since the early 1900's. However, the methods to develop and compare latent prints including the utilization of Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) have changed drastically and continue to evolve.  Fingerprint powders are complimented with chemical development and alternate light source applications.  Traditional photography has evolved into digital imaging with computerized enhancements and processing.  These methods that are being used by the MSP's latent print examiners are at the cutting edge of technology with respect to the science of latent prints.  It is through embracing emerging technologies, backed by extensive training that has resulted in the discipline's first class reputation. 

Porous and nonporous evidence can be examined for latent prints.  Latent prints can be compared with known recorded impressions.  Recorded impressions from unknown deceased, incapacitated, or uncooperative subjects can also be compared with known recorded impressions.  These same latent prints and unknown impressions can be searched in the AFIS, a database of known impressions from subjects who have submitted fingerprints, palm prints, and registered latent prints from unsolved crimes.  A successful search can result in a positive identification.

The Michigan Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a computerized system for electronically encoding, searching, and matching tenprint records and latent fingerprints and palm prints. Currently, AFIS contains over 3 million fingerprint records in the Tenprint Database and almost 50,000 registered latent fingerprints and palm prints in the Unsolved Latent Database.  The majority of known fingerprint and palm print submissions to the AFIS are performed electronically via Livescan terminals located at various law enforcement and correctional facilities throughout the state.  Latent database searching is performed by MSP examiners at each of the seven laboratories.  Beginning in 2004, latent print examiners were provided access to the FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS).  Searching this database of fingerprint records, in excess of 50 million, is performed directly from the laboratory's AFIS terminals. 

There is a sense of pride that exists with being a latent print examiner for the Michigan State Police, but it is not boastful; it is the realization that they are truly experts in their field, trained to the highest level of competency, and recognized throughout the criminal justice and forensic communities.