Computer forensics technician vs latent fingerprint examiner

The differences between computer forensics technicians and latent fingerprint examiners can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a computer forensics technician and a latent fingerprint examiner. Additionally, a computer forensics technician has an average salary of $50,698, which is higher than the $46,980 average annual salary of a latent fingerprint examiner.

The top three skills for a computer forensics technician include extraction, physical evidence and digital evidence. The most important skills for a latent fingerprint examiner are law enforcement agencies, afis, and identification system.

Computer forensics technician vs latent fingerprint examiner overview

	Computer Forensics Technician	Latent Fingerprint Examiner
Yearly salary	$50,698	$46,980
Hourly rate	$24.37	$22.59
Growth rate	11%	11%
Number of jobs	19,018	2,232
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	38	38
Years of experience	4	4

Computer forensics technician vs latent fingerprint examiner salary

Computer forensics technicians and latent fingerprint examiners have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Computer Forensics Technician	Latent Fingerprint Examiner
Average salary	$50,698	$46,980
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $65,000	Between $23,000 And $92,000
Highest paying City	Lincoln, NE	-
Highest paying state	Alaska	-
Best paying company	Los Alamos National Laboratory	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between computer forensics technician and latent fingerprint examiner education

There are a few differences between a computer forensics technician and a latent fingerprint examiner in terms of educational background:

	Computer Forensics Technician	Latent Fingerprint Examiner
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Bakersfield	Stanford University

Computer forensics technician vs latent fingerprint examiner demographics

Here are the differences between computer forensics technicians' and latent fingerprint examiners' demographics:

	Computer Forensics Technician	Latent Fingerprint Examiner
Average age	38	38
Gender ratio	Male, 47.1% Female, 52.9%	Male, 37.3% Female, 62.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 13.8% Asian, 10.0% White, 58.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage	8%	8%

Differences between computer forensics technician and latent fingerprint examiner duties and responsibilities

Computer forensics technician example responsibilities.

Set up and manage all Linux labs campus-wide.
Identify, collect, preserve and impound evidence including developing fingerprints and/or footprints and collecting DNA and stain evidence.
Train employees and subcontractors on the use, maintenance and troubleshooting of genetic analysis and real-time PCR system instrumentation and software.
Compose comprehensive DNA analysis reports.
Increase customer satisfaction by validating a more sensitive extraction method which produce more informative results.
Serve statements of claims, subpoenas, summonses, jury summonses, orders to pay alimony, and other court orders.

Latent fingerprint examiner example responsibilities.

Bob provide computer expertise for DOD criminal, fraud, and counterintelligence investigations and analyzing all computer evidence.
Process weapons and improvise explosive devices (IEDs) for fingerprints and DNA for a laboratory in Afghanistan.
Conduct manual latent to latent and latent to known comparisons in order to determine maker of IED evidence and establish patterns.
Water and mold restoration including demolition, moisture and humidity readings.
Review and screen results for face and iris searches in the DoD ABIS.
Conduct testing of an upgrade ABIS system by documenting and reporting issues with developers.

Computer forensics technician vs latent fingerprint examiner skills

Common computer forensics technician skills

Extraction, 21%
Physical Evidence, 12%
Digital Evidence, 11%
Laboratory Equipment, 8%
Maintenance Logs, 8%
Immunoassay, 5%

Common latent fingerprint examiner skills

Law Enforcement Agencies, 18%
Afis, 13%
Identification System, 8%
Fingerprint Cards, 8%
Latent Prints, 7%
Criminal Justice, 6%

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Computer Forensics Technician
Computer Forensics Technician vs Latent Fingerprint Examiner

Updated January 8, 2025

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