Latent Print Examiner

Also called: Fingerprint Examiner

Compares fingerprints from crime scenes with known prints.

A day in the life

Develops a smudged print on a gun with powder and chemicals, scans it, searches a database, and compares candidate matches ridge by ridge.

Pay over a career

Starting

$45k

Typical

$68k

High

$100k

Estimate.

Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.

Training

Bachelor's degree (4-year), about 4 years after high school. Bachelor's degree preferred plus extensive training and IAI certification.

Ways in: 4-year college, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: $15k – $60k.

Majors to look at: Forensic Science, Biology, Criminal Justice.

Outlook

Growing much faster than average (about 13% over 10 years). Follows forensic science technicians.

Will it last? Our AI estimate

Medium risk for 10 years. Fingerprint databases and AI rank likely matches; final comparison, verification and court testimony stay human.

Start now, in high school

Classes: Biology, Art or drawing, Statistics.

• Science Olympiad Forensics
• Law Enforcement Explorers
• Mock Trial

Official data: O*NET occupation 19-4092.

More Forensic Science careers

• Forensic Science Technician
• Forensic DNA Analyst
• Crime Scene Investigator
• Forensic Pathologist
• Crime Laboratory Director
• Forensic Anthropologist
• Forensic Odontologist
• Forensic Toxicologist
• Forensic Chemist (Drug Analyst)
• Firearms & Toolmark Examiner
• Forensic Document Examiner
• Forensic Entomologist
• Wildlife Forensic Scientist
• Bloodstain Pattern Analyst
• Medicolegal Death Investigator
• Autopsy Technician
• Evidence Custodian
• Forensic Photographer
• Forensic Science Professor
• Trace Evidence Examiner
• Forensic Botanist
• Forensic Serologist
• Footwear & Tire Track Examiner
• Forensic Taphonomist

Career Universe is an early version. Pay, training and AI-risk figures are estimates to start your own research, not verified facts. The research was written with AI research assistants, checked by validation scripts and spot-checked by hand. Check anything important with schools, employers and official sources. How the numbers work.