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Fingerprint officer

Alternative titles for this job include Fingerprint examiner

Fingerprint officers use manual and digital methods to identify fingerprints and marks taken from crime scenes.

Average salary (a year)

£24,000 Starter

to

£43,000 Experienced

Typical hours (a week)

37 to 44 a week

You could work

evenings / weekends / bank holidays at short notice

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • applying directly

University

You could study for a relevant degree before applying for a job as a trainee fingerprint officer. Subjects include:

  • forensic science
  • criminology
  • applied science
  • chemistry
  • biology

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

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

More Information

Direct Application

You can apply directly to a police force to join as a trainee fingerprint officer.

Each force sets its own entry requirements but you'll usually need one or more of the following:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) including maths, English and a science subject
  • a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent qualifications
  • experience of working in the police service

As part of the process, police forces will carry out checks into your background and employment history. This might also include checks on your close family members.

More Information

Career tips

Some knowledge of forensic and photographic techniques is helpful, though not essential.

Further information

Check with your local police force for details of vacancies and entry requirements.

What it takes

Find out what skills you’ll use in this role.

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of public safety and security
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • concentration skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • the ability to work on your own
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • legal knowledge including court procedures and government regulations
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

You'll usually need a driving licence.

What you’ll do

Discover the day to day tasks you’ll do in this role.

What you'll do

Day-to-day tasks

As a fingerprint officer, you could:

  • attend crime scenes to collect fingerprint evidence
  • take prints from bodies at incident scenes or in a mortuary
  • compare prints with those of suspects, using manual and digital methods
  • scan police fingerprint forms into national fingerprint database systems
  • analyse prints and marks to uncover links between crime scenes
  • work with forensic staff to collect traces of other evidence left by fingerprints
  • eliminate prints to rule out people not under suspicion
  • classify records and maintain fingerprint databases
  • prepare and present evidence for investigators and for court

Working environment

You could work in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.

Career path and progression

Look at progression in this role and similar opportunities.

Career path and progression

With experience, you could become a senior fingerprint officer or scientific support manager.

With further training, you could become a scenes of crime officer (SOCO), or move into forensics or criminal intelligence work.

Current opportunities

Find apprenticeships, courses and jobs available near you.

Current opportunities

Apprenticeships In England

We can't find any apprenticeship vacancies in England for a fingerprint officer right now.

The Find an apprenticeship service can help you with your search, send alerts when new apprenticeships become available and has advice on how to apply.

Courses In England

Forensic Science Level 3

  • Provider: LANCASTER AND MORECAMBE COLLEGE
  • Start date: 01 September 2025
  • Location: Lancaster

Forensic Science Level 3 Extended Diploma

  • Provider: ACTIVATE LEARNING
  • Start date: 11 September 2025
  • Location: Oxford
Find courses near you

Jobs In the United Kingdom

The Find a job service can help you with your search for jobs and send alerts when new jobs become available.

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