Friction Ridge Comparison I

FSA120 – 40.00 Hours

Schedule

Dates Location Class Price
Details
 07/07/25 – 07/11/25 Bryan, TX LS FSA120 3 $695.00
Register

This schedule is subject to change without notice. If you have not received confirmation of the class prior to the class start, please contact the division at (800) 423-8433 or [email protected] to get the latest schedule.

Course Description

latent fingerprint examinationIdentification of suspects through fingerprint comparison is critical to many investigations. This course reinforces fundamental principles of fingerprint comparison and guides participants through the ACE-V Methodology (Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification). Emphasis is placed on activities where participants demonstrate their ability to identify levels of details in impressions, complete fingerprint classifications according to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and Henry Classification systems, and conduct sufficiency assessments for comparison exercises. The course culminates with a series of final activities where participants conduct comparisons of latents to exemplars (for both fingerprints and palm prints) to reinforce the concepts learned in the course.

This course meets Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) requirements Texas Forensic Science Academy Latent Print Comparison I Course #40066.

Prerequisites

Participants enrolling in this course must complete the following course prior to attendance:

Enrollment Requirements

Applicants for this course must be at least 18 years of age.

Participants enrolling in this course must meet one of the following employment statuses:

  • Licensed or certified peace officer with a current commission employed by or attached to a law enforcement/investigative agency
  • Civilian employed by a law enforcement/investigative agency conducting investigative tasks or duties

Exclusions: Internships (volunteer or paid) do not meet the employment requirement.

Participants will be contacted via email to confirm approval and admittance into the course. You have 48 hours to submit payment. Failure to complete any step in the process will result in you being removed from the class.

Course Completion Requirements

Participant Must Provide

  • A photo identification on the first day of class. See the Participant Handbook for approved forms of identification and additional guidelines.
  • Laptop or tablet

Attendance Requirements

Class attendance is an essential part of the education process, and participants in TEEX courses are expected to attend all class sessions and field exercises. The course requires participants to attend a minimum of 100% of the class hours as a component of successful course completion. During the course, your instructor will review any additional attendance requirement, for example a field exercise that cannot be missed.

In some cases, make-up work will not be available (due to equipment/facility needs and/or safety/teamwork components or activity setup/facilitation/requirements).

Participants in a TCOLE credit eligible course must complete the class in its entirety to receive a TEEX Certificate of Completion and be reported for TCOLE credit.

If you have additional questions, please refer to the TEEX Participant Handbook.

  • Magnification loupe (fingerprint magnifier)
  • Ridge counters

Upon successful completion, you will be able to:

  • Identify significant friction ridge events occurring during fetal development.
  • Explain Level 1 detail observable in fingerprints, including pattern interpretation, ridge counting, and whorl tracing.
  • Explain Level 2 and Level 3 details.
  • Apply the ACE-V methodology for latent print comparison.
  • Identify different methods for taking known exemplars.
  • Describe the impact of legal and administrative issues related to friction skin comparison.
  • Discuss courtroom testimony issues related to friction skin testimony.

Suggested Audience

  • Law enforcement and non-commissioned personnel assigned to investigative tasks and duties such as crime scene investigators, detectives, medicolegal death investigators, patrol officers, corrections officers and forensic nurses

Continuing Education And Professional Credits

Note: Live Online Instructor-Led (webinar) courses are not eligible for TCOLE credit.

  • 40.00 hours – Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE)
  • 3.00 hours – American Council on Education (ACE)
  • International Association of Identification (IAI)

Other Information

Friction Ridge Comparison I was formerly titled Latent Print Comparison I.

International Association for Identification

You are responsible for contacting International Association for Identification (IAI) after successfully completing the TEEX course to submit the necessary documentation for your desired certification. IAI credit hours are currently available for the following credits:

  • Latent Print Certification (issued 3/26/2024), Initial (40 hrs).

Contact Information

Law Enforcement and Protective Services
Phone: (979) 845-6677 | Toll-Free: (800) 423-8433
Email: [email protected]

Payment Info

  • Credit Card – Complete online registration and enter your credit card information. You may also call TEEX LAW if you need us to process your credit card payment over the phone after you complete the initial registration steps.
  • Check – Complete online registration. Please print a copy of your registration details and include it with your check. Please write your student name, TEEX ID, course number, and course name on the check details and mail to: TEEX – LAW, P.O. Box 40006, College Station, TX 77842
  • Purchase Order – Complete online registration and upload a copy of your purchase order paperwork.

If you have general course registration questions, please refer to the Course Registration FAQs page.