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National College Credit Recommendation Service

Board of Regents  |  University of the State of New York

New York City Police Department | Evaluated Learning Experience

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Science of Fingerprints

Course Category: 
In-Service Training (NYPD)
Length: 

Version 1, 2, and 3: 160 hours (8 weeks).

Location: 
Police Headquarters, 1 Police Plaza, New York, NY.
Dates: 
Version 1: March 1983 - February 1998. Version 2: March 1998 - December 2002. Version 3: January 2003 - Present.
Instructional delivery format: 
Traditional classroom model
Learner Outcomes: 

Version 1, 2, and 3:  Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to classify, evaluate, read, and search fingerprints.

Instruction: 

Version 1: Major topics include: history of fingerprints; terminology; ink prints; explanation of skin structure and dermal papillae; chemical reaction to body fluids; pattern identification and interpretation; sequencing of ten print cards. Version 2: Major topics include: history of fingerprints; terminology; ink prints; explanation of skin structure and dermal papillae; chemical reaction to body fluids; pattern identification and interpretation; sequencing of ten print cards; the role of fingerprint identification in criminal investigations; interagency interactions in sharing fingerprint information; use of fingerprint identifications in courtroom testimony. Version 3: Major topics include: history of fingerprints; terminology; ink prints; explanation of skin structure and dermal papillae; chemical reaction to body fluids; pattern identification and interpretation; sequencing of ten print cards; the role of fingerprint identification in criminal investigations; interagency interactions in sharing fingerprint information; automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS); use of fingerprint identifications in courtroom testimony.

Credit recommendation: 

Version 1: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 1 semester hour as a laboratory experience in Criminal Justice (6/88) (3/93 revalidation). Version 2: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 2 semester hours as a laboratory experience in Criminal Justice (4/98 revalidation) (6/03 revalidation). Version 3: In the lower division baccalaureate/associate degree category, 3 semester hours (1 lecture, 2 laboratory) in Criminal Justice or Forensic Science (5/08 revalidation) (5/13 revalidation) (6/18 revalidation).

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