Fingerprint Officer

Typical Salary

£16,000 To £35,000

Typical Hours

42 to 44 a week

evenings / weekends / bank holidays on a rota

How To Become a Fingerprint Officer

You can get into this job through:

a university course
applying directly

College / University

You could give yourself an advantage by doing a relevant degree in:

forensic science
criminology
applied science
chemistry
biology

2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship are not listed for this job.

Routes into this Career

Routes into this Career are not listed for this job.

Each police service sets its own entry requirements, but to start as a trainee fingerprint officer you'll find it useful to have:

5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including maths, English and a science subject
A levels or equivalent qualifications
experience of working in the police, analytical work or work involving attention to detail

Police services will carry out checks into your background and employment history. This might also include checking on your close family members.

Other Routes

Other Routes are not listed for this job.

Skills And Knowledge

You'll need:

to be thorough and pay attention to detail
patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
knowledge of public safety and security
customer service skills
to be flexible and open to change
the ability to work on your own
legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Day To Day Tasks

Your day-to-day duties might include:

comparing crime scene prints with those of suspects
scanning police fingerprint forms into the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System
comparing fingerprints against the National Fingerprint Database to produce a list of likely matches
analysing prints and marks to uncover links between crime scenes
eliminating prints found at the scene of people not under suspicion
classifying records and maintaining fingerprint databases
preparing evidence statements and presenting evidence in court
attending crime scenes to offer specialist advice
getting fingerprint samples from the deceased at the morgue

Working Environment

You could work in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

Career Path & Progression

Career Path & Progression are not listed for this job.

Volunteering Opportunities

Volunteering Opportunities are not listed for this job.

Tips & Information

Further information

You can find out more about how to become a fingerprint officer from The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences and the College of Policing.

Restrictions & Requirements

You'll need to:

pass enhanced background checks

You'll usually need a driving licence.