Fingerprinting (SC)

Students Celebrating at Commencement

Program Overview:

Use Fingerprinting to Solve the Crime!

Compare the fingerprints collected from a crime scene with those of a suspect. Exonerate wrongly-convicted persons with the accurate examination of evidence. Serve as an expert witness in a trial. Piece together the story of a crime scene based on the evidence left behind. A job in fingerprinting offers daily opportunities to bring the truth to light!

Fingerprinting technicians work primarily in law enforcement agencies and laboratories. Technicians support investigations require great attention to detail. LASC’s Fingerprinting Skill Certificate is a strong first step or addition to a career in the field of administration of justice. Successfully completing this program will fulfill the academic requirements you’ll need for an entry-level occupation with plenty of room to grow. Start your future today!

Contact
Chairperson
Elizabeth Flowers
Phone
(323) 241-5458
Email
@email
Office Location
Student Services Education Center, Room 216
Office Hours
Mondays to Fridays: 8:00AM - 4:30PM

Department
Continuing Education Division

Pathway
Behavioral and Social Sciences

Careers in Fingerprinting

With a Skill Certificate in Fingerprinting, you have a first step toward a career in administration of justice. If you are looking for opportunities to grow, one of these careers may be perfect for you!

Here are some careers and their salaries you could have with a Skill Certificate in Fingerprinting:

Career information below taken from bls.gov December 2019. Go to bls.gov for most current career information.

Process and examines fingerprint evidence, and other types of evidence, in criminal investigations.

Data for state of California

Typical Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
Bachelor’s Degree $85,280/year $41.00/hour
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: Number of Jobs 2018:
Moderate-term on-the-job training 7% increase (as fast as average)

2,100

Search for information about legal, financial, and personal matters.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Typical Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
High school diploma or equivalent $78,650/year $37.81/hour
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028:/th> Number of Jobs 2018:
Less than 5 years 1% increase (little to no change)

670

Protect lives and property.

Data for Los Angeles/Long Beach/Anaheim

Typical Education Level: Salary: Hourly Median Wage:
High school diploma or equivalent $104,230/year $50.11/hour
Work Experience in a Related Occupation: Job Outlook 2018-2028: Number of Jobs 2018:/th>
None needed 5% increase (as fast as average) 30,190

What You’ll Learn at LASC in Fingerprinting

You can get a Skill Certificate through LASC’s Administration of Justice program in Fingerprinting where you will sharpen your eye for detail and learn the intricacies of fingerprints:

  • Learn to distinguish between two very similar fingerprints by comparing and contrasting the differences in various fingerprint characteristics.
  • Develop an extensive knowledge of crime-scene evidence and the role it plays in legal proceedings.
  • LASC provides internships so you can build your career connections and create community ties for after you graduate.
  • Want to get a bachelor’s degree? An Associate in Science for Transfer (AST) degree in Administration of Justice will prepare you to pursue a bachelor’s degree. You’ll be able to save money on your first two years of college learning from engaging, motivated faculty. Plus, you can graduate with guaranteed admission into a CSU! See you’re academic counselor for details.

Degrees & Courses You Will Take

Review LASC’s Skill Certificate in Fingerprinting (SC) and our suggested course of study for this program. Go to LASC’s current Course Catalog for specific course information:

Major Code: 2105.01
Total Units Required: 9

Upon successful completion of this program, you will be able to:

  • Compare and contrast the differences in various fingerprint characteristics.
  • Analyze and describe different fingerprint patterns and how they affect fingerprint classification.
  • Proficiently acquire several clear and accurate sets of fingerprints; compare and classify them according to their patterns.
Required Courses: Units
ADM JUS 1 Introduction to Administration of Justice 3
ADM JUS 3 Legal Aspects of Evidence 3
ADM JUS 62 Fingerprint Classification 3
TOTAL UNITS 9

Get Ready Before You Start

Before your first class starts at LASC, you can start preparing for your career:

  • Make an appointment with your LASC academic counselor to review LASC’s program, start to develop a Student Education Plan (SEP), and discuss your career goals and future plans to see what support services and campus opportunities would be a good match for your time at LASC.
  • Still in high school? Talk with your high school counselor to see if there are opportunities to go on a ride-along with a police officer or shadow a forensic scientist for the day so you can experience what it’s like to be in this career.
  • Once you’re at LASC, make sure to get involved with on-campus clubs and organizations, become a student ambassador, or run for student body government. These create new relationships and show potential employers your commitment to building writing, communication, and leadership skills.

Program Learning Outcomes

Student Writing in Classroom