Latent Fingerprint Examiner

About the Job:

In this position, you will examine and process items of evidence to determine the presence and suitability of any latent prints, conduct database entries and comparisons to record prints, generate reports to the findings, and testify to those findings when requested.

This position is subject to budget required furloughs to be implemented in the 2026 calendar year, and any furloughs subsequently approved.

Come explore the possibilities a career with the City of Colorado Springs can offer!

you will:

• Examine items of evidence (digital images or physical items) for the presence of latent prints and determine their suitability for comparison.
• Compare and evaluate latent and inked friction ridge impressions to record prints.
• Prepare and enter latent prints into the available state and federal databases.
• Generate reports for completed work.
• Complete data entry in LIMS (Laboratory Information Management System).
• Complete work under the appropriate standard operating procedures in accordance with the quality assurance system set forth by the Metro Crime Laboratory.
• Provide court testimony of results, opinions, and conclusions, which may include utilization of images in electronic formats.
• Review forensic technical journals and attend available training to stay abreast of developments in the field of latent prints and other related forensic disciplines.
• Provide training to appropriate law enforcement personnel (i.e., police recruits, Latent Print Examiner trainees, sworn personnel, and the public regarding latent print examination and laboratory functions.
• Assist with any technical functions or processes within the laboratory as they relate to latent prints.
• Respond to crime scenes as needed to assist in specialized processing as it relates to latent prints.

• Knowledge of operations, services, and workflow of a forensics crime laboratory
• Knowledge of equipment, applications, methods, and materials used in a forensic crime laboratory
• Knowledge of legal procedures for the admission of evidence in criminal investigations
• Ability to communicate effectively in verbal and written English, to include public speaking while articulating complex technical data
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, coworkers, and other law enforcement/judicial personnel
• Ability to handle heavy volumes of work while maintaining accuracy
• Ability to work effectively under pressure
• Ability to testify in court proceedings as an expert witness
• Ability to apply critical thinking skills with good judgment and a high degree of professional credibility

Work is performed primarily indoors under laboratory or office conditions. However, you may be required to participate in scene field investigation activities. Laboratory and field investigation activities may include exposure to dangerous chemicals and harmful or unpleasant fumes/odors. Work may also include exposure to cadavers of varying physical conditions to obtain fingerprint impressions for identification purposes.

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with major coursework in a related area of study.
  • Preferred coursework in criminal justice, biology, forensics, criminalistics, crime scene investigations, or other related fields
• Three years of full-time, professional experience in a related field.
  • Preferred experience working in a forensic laboratory, including expert witness testimony as a latent fingerprint examiner.
• Possess or obtain within 30 days of hire a valid, non-probationary Colorado driver's license not subject to restriction related to alcohol and/or drug violations or pending charges
• Within six months of hire become AFIS/IAFIS Latent Entry authorized, utilizing Morphotrak. Authorization must be maintained for the duration of employment
• Within two years of hire, certification in the program of Latent Print Certification Board of the International Association for Identification is required. Certification must be maintained for the duration of employment

Professional experience is…