Latent Print Certification
Latent Print Certification Board (LPCB)
About the LPCB
In 1977, at the 62nd Annual Conference in New Orleans, the Latent Print Certification Program became the first certification program established by the International Association for Identification. Its purpose was to validate a practitioner’s expertise in the science of fingerprints through a rigorous testing process.
This was in response to recognizing the need to unequivocally identify latent print examiners qualified to provide essential professional services for the nation's judicial branches of government. In purpose, function and organization, the Latent Print Certification Board is analogous to the certifying boards of other specialties and scientific fields.
At that time, the first Latent Print Certification Board was formed to manage the Program. The objective of the board was to establish, enhance, and revise as necessary, standards of qualification for those who practice latent print examinations, and to certify as qualified specialists, those voluntary applicants who comply with the requirements of the board. In this way, the board is able to make available to the judicial system and to the public, a practical and equitable system for readily identifying those persons professing to be specialists in latent print examination who possess the requisite qualifications and competence.
Certification is based upon the candidate's personal and professional record of education and training, experience and achievement, as well as on the results of a formal examination. The International Association for Identification, under whose auspices the Latent Print Certification Board was established, is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Delaware. The board is composed of members whose principal discipline is in latent print examination, who are certified in that discipline, and who serve staggered terms of office as a member of the Latent Print Certification Board.
Since its inception, the I.A.I.'s Latent Print Certification Board has proficiency tested thousands of applicants, and periodically proficiency tests all IAI Certified Latent Print Examiners (CLPE’s) as part of the recertification requirement every five years.
I.A.I. CLPE status is considered by many identification professionals to be a measurement of excellence. During the past three decades, I.A.I. Latent Print Certification has become a prerequisite for journeyman fingerprint expert positions in many U.S. state and federal government forensic laboratories, and also enjoys a high reputation in many international agencies.
Today, the Latent Print Certification Board is among seven other certification boards administering I.A.I. certification programs for Crime Scene, Forensic Art, Footwear and Tire Track Analysis, Bloodstain Pattern Analysis, Forensic Photography/Imaging and Ten Print Fingerprint Certification.
The International Association for Identification, under whose auspices the Latent Print Certification Board was established, is a non-profit organization incorporated in the State of Delaware. The Board is composed of members, certified in their principal discipline of latent print examination and who serve staggered terms of office.
Current serving members of the Latent Print Certification Board (2012-2013):
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LPCB CHAIR STEVE HOWARD Ontario Provincial Police Forensic Identification Support Services 777 Memorial Ave. Orillia, Ontario L3V 7V3 Office (705) 329-6976 |
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LPCB SPECIAL ADVISOR LYLA THOMPSON Johnson County Crime Laboratory 6000 Lamar Mission, KS 66202 Office: (913) 826-3294 |
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SECRETARY JAMES E. BUSH Mississippi Crime Laboratory PO Box 4450 Meridian, MS 39304 Office: (601) 483-5273 |
BOARD MEMBERS |
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ANTHONY L. CLAY United States Secret Service Forensic Services Division 950 H Street, N.W. Suite 4200 Washington, DC 20223 Office 202-406-9206 |
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MATTHEW T. SCHWARZ President/CEO Schwarz Forensic Enterprises, Inc. 1128 NW Boulder Point Place Ankeny, Iowa 50023 Office (877) SFE-0770 |
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TOM SKINNER Dept. of the Treasury - IRS National Forensic Laboratory 29 N. Wacker Drive, Ste 300 Chicago, IL 60606 Office: (312) 553-7106 |
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KELLY SPECKELS Mesa Police Dept. Forensic Services / Latent Print Unit 130 N. Robson Mesa, AZ 85201 Office: (480) 644-2341 |
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ANNE STEINMETZ Project Manager/Senior Consultant Ron Smith and Associates, Inc. PO Box 5371 Peoria, AZ 85385-5371 Cell: (623) 451-0823 |