Course Overview

This is a three-day course (24 hours) in advanced friction ridge topics. Specifically, this course will cover four challenges associated with the examination process: 1) How do the characteristics of friction ridges and the associated distortions change when the impression matrix is not typical “residue”, but instead a blood matrix?; 2) What new complexities do blood impressions impart in the Analysis, Comparison, and Evaluation (ACE) phases; 3) What activity level issues arise from impressions in a blood matrix? And 4) How does the interpretation of ridge detail consisting of blood or complex residue scenarios affect our ACE-V conclusions and reporting?
The material will be demonstrated through lectures and practical exercises. Lecture slides and practical exercises will be provided to the attendee. We also review relevant literature on this topic and review numerous cases/testimony.

Although not required, a laptop with the capability to view and annotate latent print images may be desirable for the student to bring. Practical exercises will be distributed in digital and/or hard copy photograph media.

Target Audience

The material is aimed predominantly at latent print examiners who have at least a basic understanding of friction ridge examinations, are knowledgeable in basic distortion concepts, and are comfortable with complex comparisons. Trainees are appropriate, if they have demonstrated a strong grasp of friction ridge fundamentals and have some training in complex latent print distortions.

Attending students will receive 24 IAI credits towards latent print certification and will be issued a certificate of course attendance.

When: September 9 – 11, 2026

Where: King County Regional AFIS Building
900 Oakesdale Ave SW
Renton, WA 98057

Host Contact Information: Heather VanDeGrift; c: (206) 484-6721

Email: Heather.Vandegrift@seattle.gov