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

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.

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

You'll need to:

• pass security checks
• pass enhanced background checks

You'll usually need a driving licence.

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

You could work in a laboratory.

Your working environment may be emotionally demanding.

You may need to wear protective clothing.