Business Problem

My client wanted to update a compliance course required annually to refresh law enforcement knowledge of fingerprint dusting. This course was delivered to over 1000 law enforcement personnel using face to face instruction with an average of 35, 1-hour sessions delivered annually. Instructors noted a lack of virtual resources to keep learners engaged and teach to the varied learning preferences. This coupled with limited instructor personnel meant law enforcement personnel had to give up additional personal time if instructors were called out to investigate crime scenes.

Course analysis and Subject Matter Expert (SME) interviews identified another critical gap affecting daily operations and trial success rates. Employees and supervisors lacked comprehensive knowledge of best practices for fingerprint dusting, which undermined their credibility when providing expert testimony in court. This knowledge deficit led to inefficiencies in the evidence collection process and complaints from various stakeholders.

Our Goal

Develop an engaging fingerprint lesson with various scenarios that can be completed with or without an instructor's presence. This solution should not only address the training needs of law enforcement personnel but also enhance their understanding of fingerprint dusting best practices, ultimately improving efficiency and credibility in the evidence collection process.

Legal and Ethical Standards

The following represents the various legal and ethical standards used to shape the learning goals of this training module. In Texas, where the client is located, the standards for fingerprint dusting and analysis primarily stem from the Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) and the FBI’s Latent Print Unit (LPU).

  1. trainees should be familiar with the applicable laws and regulations governing the collection, preservation, and analysis of fingerprint evidence.

  2. trainees should understand the importance of consent or search warrant laws before collecting fingerprints from individuals or searching private property.

  3. Trainees should be aware of exceptions and limitations to consent and warrant requirements.

  4. Trainees should be trained to respect the privacy and dignity of individuals. Trainees should handle personal items with care and sensitivity.

  5. Trainees should be educated on the importance of unbiased analysis and avoiding racial or ethnic profiling when examining fingerprints.

  6. Trainees should be trained to focus solely on the scientific aspects of fingerprint analysis and avoid any form of discrimination or prejudice.

  7. Trainees should adhere to protocols for secure storage, transmission, and disposal of fingerprint records.

  8. Trainees should be instilled with a strong sense of professional integrity. Trainees should understand their ethical responsibility to report any misconduct or violations they witness during their work.

In terms of case law, we found that the landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision in Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 509, U.S. 579 (1993) set the standard for the admissibility of expert latent print examiners testimony in federal courts which was expanded to Texas civil and criminal courts in the case E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. v. Robinson, 923 S.W.2d 549 (Tex.1995). This require that expert witnesses continually update information involving specialized training received including the nature, length, and detail of that training. The Daubert and Kumho Tire decisions require that fingerprint expert witnesses meets three requirements.

  1. Testimony rests on a sufficient basis that supports a reliable conclusion. Known facts and/or data should support a reliable conclusion. It has been widely established that Friction Ridge Examination (FRE, aka fingerprinting) evidence shows the courts that a particular person was at a crime scene

  2. Expert witness must be able to state the principles and methods used and research which has shown the reliability of this methodology. For this reason our training example will follow the SWGFAST prescribed methodology.

  3. The witness must follow the research-backed methodology. Deviation from the standard must always be clearly documented in the examiner’s notes.

source material: https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/225333.pdf

Value

Goals and Standards

☑ Trainees should understand the importance of consent or search warrant laws before collecting fingerprints from individuals or searching private property.

☑ Trainees should be aware of exceptions and limitations to consent and warrant requirements.

☑ Trainees should be trained to respect the privacy and dignity of individuals. Trainees should handle personal items with care and sensitivity.

☑ Trainees should be educated on the importance of unbiased analysis and avoiding racial or ethnic profiling when examining fingerprints.

☑ Trainees should be trained to focus solely on the scientific aspects of fingerprint analysis and avoid any form of discrimination or prejudice.

☑ Trainees should adhere to protocols for secure storage, transmission, and disposal of fingerprint records.

☑ Trainees should be instilled with a strong sense of professional integrity. Trainees should understand their ethical responsibility to report any misconduct or violations they witness during their work.

The return on investment (ROI) for this training manifests as enhanced credibility for expert witnesses and a reduction in average training time from 90 minutes to 45 minutes. This adjustment effectively cuts the training program's time cost in half, thereby increasing its relevance and providing greater accountability for the organization. The streamlined training process, combined with a more profound understanding of best practices, also significantly contributes to the organization's overall operational efficiency.

Choose a Scenario

Trainees were presented with five scenarios to choose from.

(Click on a scenario to see more information.)

Scenario 1: Burglary Investigation

Scenario 2: Vehicle Theft

Scenarior 3: Homicide Investigation

Scenario 4: Office Break-In

Scenario 5: Vandalism at a Public Park

Create Scenario: Characters

An instructor was created in the likeness of the SME who is, “known for her big curly hair and glasses.”

  • Lab Background

  • Lab Background with SME

  • Courtroom

  • Crime Scene