Will “Latent Fingerprint Examiner” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

0.95% Chance of Automation

“Latent Fingerprint Examiner” will not be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #49 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

Collect, identify, classify, and analyze physical evidence related to criminal investigations. Perform tests on weapons or substances, such as fiber, hair, and tissue to determine significance to investigation. May testify as expert witnesses on evidence or crime laboratory techniques. May serve as specialists in area of expertise, such as ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, or biochemistry.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 19-4092.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 60,690.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 29.00
Currently, there are 14,800 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Forensic Science Technicians”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Latent Fingerprint Examiner”

Collect impressions of dust from surfaces to obtain and identify fingerprints.
Reconstruct crime scenes to determine relationships among pieces of evidence.
Determine types of bullets and specific weapons used in shootings.
Operate and maintain laboratory equipment and apparatus.
Keep records and prepare reports detailing findings, investigative methods, and laboratory techniques.
Visit morgues, examine scenes of crimes, or contact other sources to obtain evidence or information to be used in investigations.
Examine and analyze blood stain patterns at crime scenes.
Testify in court about investigative or analytical methods or findings.
Identify and quantify drugs or poisons found in biological fluids or tissues, in foods, or at crime scenes.
Prepare solutions, reagents, or sample formulations needed for laboratory work.
Interpret laboratory findings or test results to identify and classify substances, materials, or other evidence collected at crime scenes.
Compare objects, such as tools, with impression marks to determine whether a specific object is responsible for a specific mark.
Use photographic or video equipment to document evidence or crime scenes.
Use chemicals or other substances to examine latent fingerprint evidence and compare developed prints to those of known persons in databases.
Train new technicians or other personnel on forensic science techniques.
Examine firearms to determine mechanical condition and legal status, performing restoration work on damaged firearms to obtain information such as serial numbers.
Review forensic analysts' reports for technical merit.
Examine physical evidence, such as hair, fiber, wood, or soil residues to obtain information about its source and composition.
Confer with ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, documents, electronics, medical, chemical, or metallurgical experts concerning evidence and its interpretation.
Collect evidence from crime scenes, storing it in conditions that preserve its integrity.
Analyze gunshot residue and bullet paths to determine how shootings occurred.

Related Technology & Tools

Police vans
Protective latex gloves
Insect collection containers
Safety glasses
Large format cameras
Plastic specimen jars
Rounded scalpels
Steam sterilizers
Portable two way radios
Optical compound microscopes
Photo markers
Steel measuring tape
Infrared light sources
Fingerprint brushes
Metal detectors
UV forensic goggles
35 millimeter cameras
Protective masks
Spectrophotometers
Pointed scalpels
Cyanoacrylate fuming chambers
Crime scene evidence flags
Digital video cameras
Stainless steel tweezers
Electrostatic dust print lifters
Laptop computers
Crime scene tape measures
Handheld evidence collection computers
Personal computers
Evidence collection containers
Ultraviolet UV lights
Biohazard suits
Impression casting kits
Ultraviolet UV camera lens filters
Medical hemostats
Sifting screens
Electronic precision balances
Plastic evidence tweezers
Benchtop mixers
Breathalyzers
Deoxyribonucleic acid DNA collection kits
Photographic scales
Glassware washers
Spades
Handheld digital thermometers
Footwear protectors
Drug testing kits
Portable lasers
Fingerprint evidence kits
Blood collection kits
Postmortem print spoons
Fuming hot plates
Distance measuring wheels
Body fluid collection kits
Navigational compasses
Fingerprint recognition systems
Electronic measuring devices
Laboratory benchtop centrifuges
Sexual assault evidence collection kits
Stainless steel spatulas
Evidence scissors
Thermocyclers
Stainless steel scissors
Hand held magnifiers
Shovels
Gel lifters
Protractors
Desktop computers
Microscope slides
Digital cameras
Portable generators
Colored camera filters
Gunshot residue kits
Reciprocating saws
Insect swoop nets
Mobile data computers
Glass specimen jars
Self-contained breathing apparatus
Long-wave ultraviolet UV lamps
Laser trajectory kits
Inspection mirrors
Utility knives

Graphics software
Microsoft Visio
DM2 Bills of Lading
Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
Computer aided design and drafting CADD software
SmartDraw.com SmartDraw Legal
Microsoft Word
Laboratory information management system LIMS
Eos Systems PhotoModeler
Visual Statement Vista FX3 CSI
National Crime Information Center NCIC database
Midwest Information Systems PAX-it
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
Microsoft Office
Trancite Logic Systems ScenePD
Automated Biometric Identification System ABIS
Web browser software
National Integrated Ballistics Information Network NIBIN
Adobe Systems Adobe Photoshop
Combined DNA Index System CODIS
DataWorks Plus Digital CrimeScene
Mideo Systems EZDoc Plus
Image enhancement software
IBM Notes
Microsoft Excel
The CAD Zone The Crime Zone
Microsoft Outlook
DesignWare 3D EyeWitness
Microsoft Access