Fingerprint Specialist

Duties

Major Work Duties

• Manual processing of fingerprint card submissions using the Oklahoma Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), resulting in the creation or addition to a record in the Computerized Criminal History.
• Performs comparative examinations using the Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification scientific methodology to positively identify individuals for accurate reporting of their criminal history record.
• Coordinate with law enforcement agencies to locate and retrieve FPCs & data to update the state repository to ensure a complete criminal history.
• Contributes to the creation and development of unit standards operating procedures and training manual.
• Coordinate with other units with processing fingerprint cards and criminal histories to ensure complete and accurate records.

Typical Functions

• Identifies and interprets complex friction ridge patterns based on established rules and standards of the FBI for quality control purposes for electronic and manual fingerprint submissions.
• Applies scientific formulas using the Henry Classification System, National Crime Information Center (NCIC) classification system and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) classification system by calculating ridge counts, whorl tracings, and identifying ridge flow and structure.
• Performs complex comparative examinations using the Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification (ACE-V) scientific methodology to positively identify individuals for accurate reporting of their criminal history record.
• Applies and interprets standards and guidelines set forth by Oklahoma State Statutes and FBI Criminal Justice Information System requirements.
• Monitors manual and electronic submissions through the Statewide AFIS, identifies problem transactions, and develops an appropriate plan of action using critical thinking skills.
• Prepares detailed reports on fingerprint statistical data.
• Provides technical assistance to law enforcement, governmental agencies, and non-criminal justice agencies concerning the result of searches.
• Fingerprints OSBI applicants to assist in the background investigation of prospective employees and fingerprints other applicants who have poor quality fingerprints in which local law enforcement could not attain.

Level Descriptor

• Level I: This is the basic level where incumbents perform work under close supervision involving the forensic examination, interpretation, classification, analysis and identification of fingerprint impressions through manual or automated systems. This may include fingerprinting applicants, providing customer service to potential applicants, and providing support to higher level incumbents.


• Level II: This is the career level where employees are responsible for technical tasks associated with the forensic examination, interpretation, classification, analysis and identification of fingerprint impressions through manual or automated systems. This level requires independent judgment using the ACE-V scientific methodology with limited supervision. Employees at this level may perform more complex tasks involving error resolution and the development of an appropriate plan of action.


• Level III: This is the specialist level where employees are assigned responsibilities for highly complex, technical work in the forensic examination, interpretation, classification, analysis and identification of fingerprint impressions through manual or automated systems. This will include the most complex and difficult of examinations. Employees at this level may assist in the training of lower level employees and may function as a lead worker.

 Earn a Degree in Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Science, or Computer Forensics

Requirements

Education and Experience

• Level I: Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of professional or technical administrative experience in a criminal justice or forensic science field for each year of the required education.
  Note: Technical administrative experience includes but is not limited to the processing of criminal arrest records or the maintaining of criminal evidence and the listed experience must have been the primary job responsibility to be considered as qualifying.


• Level II: Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree plus one additional year of experience in the forensic examination, classification and identification of fingerprints manually and with the use of an AFIS, substituting one year of professional or technical administrative experience in a criminal justice or forensic science field for each year of the required education.
  Note: The listed experience must have been the primary job responsibility to be considered as qualifying.


• Level III: Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor’s degree plus two additional years of experience in the forensic examination, classification and identification of fingerprints manually and with the use of an AFIS, substituting one year of professional or technical administrative experience in a criminal justice or forensic science field for each year of the required education.
  Note: The listed experience must have been the primary job responsibility to be considered as qualifying.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Competencies

• Level I: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge and understanding of the law enforcement system of criminal identification. Ability is required to follow instructions, both oral and written; to recognize minute details; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and to complete a training program for friction ridge examination consisting of instruction, research, presentations, and testing.


• Level II: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge and understanding of the law enforcement system of criminal identification. Ability is required to follow instructions, both oral and written; to recognize minute details; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to complete a training program for friction ridge examination consisting of instruction, research, presentations, and testing; to apply laws, rules and standards governing the Statewide AFIS including statutory requirements, FBI CJIS requirements, and annual training requirements; and to use critical thinking and problem solving skills.


• Level III: Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge and understanding of the law enforcement system of criminal identification; and of various integrated databases and how they affect the workflow of other units and agencies. Ability is required to follow instructions, both oral and written; to recognize minute details; to express ideas clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; to complete a training program for friction ridge examination consisting of instruction, research, presentations, and testing; to apply laws, rules and standards governing the Statewide AFIS including statutory requirements, FBI CJIS requirements, and annual training requirements; and to use critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Special Requirements

• Applicants must be willing and able to perform all job-related travel normally associated with this position;
• Be willing to work hours other than on regular shifts during emergency or high volume situations;
• While performing the duties of this job, the employees are frequently required to stand, walk and reach; and talk and hear.
• Routinely, employees are required to sit;
• Manipulate or feel objects, tools or controls;
• Climb (for extended distances) and/or balance;
• Ascend/descend ladders and stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl.
• Job performance may result in minimal noise exposure, the minimal possibility of chemical exposure and exposure to work environments where chemicals are present.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision with the ability to see defects during an inspection, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to differentiate between colors.
• Position requires the employee to be able to wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment related to inspection type, work outdoors, to deal with all weather extremes, carry tool bags containing tools, handle all tools required to facilitate inspection and, for some specific jobs, be able to carry 25 pounds up to 400 feet and be able to lift up to 50 pounds.
• The Oklahoma Department of Labor has determined that some positions in this job family are safety sensitive as defined by 63 O.S. § 427.8.
• Successful applicants must be willing to submit to a drug screen, polygraph examination, psychological evaluation (commissioned positions only), and a thorough background investigation.
• Certain events automatically disqualify an applicant, such as, felony conviction; admission of an undetected crime that, if known, would have been a felony charge; failure to pay federal or state income tax; positive confirmed drug urine test; illegal use of a controlled substance within certain time frames.

Do you have the Education Required? See available on-line and campus-based degree programs now!