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The differences between fingerprint technicians and forensic computer 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 fingerprint technician and a forensic computer examiner. Additionally, a forensic computer examiner has an average salary of $66,393, which is higher than the $39,867 average annual salary of a fingerprint technician.
The top three skills for a fingerprint technician include customer service, citizenship and USCIS. The most important skills for a forensic computer examiner are digital forensics, extraction, and FTK.
| Fingerprint Technician | Forensic Computer Examiner | |
| Yearly salary | $39,867 | $66,393 |
| Hourly rate | $19.17 | $31.92 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 23,737 | 16,108 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Fingerprint Technician specializes in reviewing and classifying fingerprints, processing them according to their purpose. Although the extent of their responsibilities depends on their place or employment industry, it typically includes assisting clients in fingerprinting processes, facilitating fingerprint scanning methods, utilizing software to record and organize data, and maintaining an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow. When it comes to employment, a Fingerprint Technician may work for government agencies, law enforcement, and forensic laboratories.
With the arrival of the computer age came a plethora of crimes. Forensic computer examiners collect and analyze data to uncover and prosecute electronic fraud, scams, and identify theft. As a forensic computer examiner, you will tackle cyber-crimes. In doing this, you must adhere strictly to the standards of evidence gathering found in general forensic science, being that legal cases depend on the integrity of evidence. Investigative and report writing skills will also be much-needed assets.
Fingerprint technicians and forensic computer examiners have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fingerprint Technician | Forensic Computer Examiner | |
| Average salary | $39,867 | $66,393 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $60,000 | Between $46,000 And $94,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Booz Allen Hamilton |
| Best paying industry | - | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a fingerprint technician and a forensic computer examiner in terms of educational background:
| Fingerprint Technician | Forensic Computer Examiner | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 40% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Criminal Justice |
| Most common college | Stanford University | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between fingerprint technicians' and forensic computer examiners' demographics:
| Fingerprint Technician | Forensic Computer Examiner | |
| Average age | 38 | 38 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.7% Female, 64.3% | Male, 72.8% Female, 27.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.8% Asian, 10.4% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 8% | 8% |