Advanced Friction Ridge Analysis (ARIDGE)

Purpose of the course

This five-day course is designed to assist the trained forensic identification specialist in analysing difficult or unusual friction ridge detail using the Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification (ACE-V) process. During the course, students learn the importance of using bench notes and they review the process to complete a coherent analysis report. Through discussions on new legislation and specific court cases, students realize the importance of developing and improving their analytical skills to eventually become better expert witnesses. Through demos, interactive presentations and hands-on practical exercises students acquire the knowledge and skills required to improve their ability to analyse fingerprints.

Objectives

• summarize the different developmental stages of friction skin;
• draw conclusions using the established Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation and Verification (ACE-V) process;
• formulate the standard to arrive at their conclusion
• explore legal issues;
• and appreciate the effectiveness of new technologies.

Participant selection criteria

To participate in this course, students must:

• be either a forensic identification specialist, a full time crime scene examiner or work in an automated fingerprint identification section of a police agency with two years operational experience in that role;
• have successfully completed the CPC’s Forensic Identification Course or an equivalent. An equivalent course is one that teaches the basic principles of photography, fingerprint identification and scenes of crime examination including the collection, identification, preservation and presentation of various types of physical evidence.

(Exception: Fingerprint identification technician from the automated fingerprint identification section.)

Special features

Absenteeism may result in the student not being permitted to complete the course. Students are therefore requested to clear all commitments prior to attending the course, eliminating recall to their duty districts

Participant Assessments

There are two formal evaluations during this course, a pre-test and a written
theoretical exam. To pass the course students must participate in the pre-test and also obtain 75% on the final written exam.

Duration: five working days

Number of participants: Thirty students

Language: English, French