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Latent fingerprint examiner vs forensic ballistics expert

The differences between latent fingerprint examiners and forensic ballistics experts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a latent fingerprint examiner and a forensic ballistics expert. Additionally, a forensic ballistics expert has an average salary of $64,737, which is higher than the $46,980 average annual salary of a latent fingerprint examiner.

The top three skills for a latent fingerprint examiner include law enforcement agencies, afis and identification system. The most important skills for a forensic ballistics expert are litigation, cyber security, and encase.

Latent fingerprint examiner vs forensic ballistics expert overview

Latent Fingerprint ExaminerForensic Ballistics Expert
Yearly salary$46,980$64,737
Hourly rate$22.59$31.12
Growth rate11%11%
Number of jobs2,2328,905
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Average age3838
Years of experience44

Latent fingerprint examiner vs forensic ballistics expert salary

Latent fingerprint examiners and forensic ballistics experts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Latent Fingerprint ExaminerForensic Ballistics Expert
Average salary$46,980$64,737
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $92,000Between $36,000 And $116,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between latent fingerprint examiner and forensic ballistics expert education

There are a few differences between a latent fingerprint examiner and a forensic ballistics expert in terms of educational background:

Latent Fingerprint ExaminerForensic Ballistics Expert
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 44%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeStanford UniversityUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Latent fingerprint examiner vs forensic ballistics expert demographics

Here are the differences between latent fingerprint examiners' and forensic ballistics experts' demographics:

Latent Fingerprint ExaminerForensic Ballistics Expert
Average age3838
Gender ratioMale, 37.3% Female, 62.7%Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 6.8% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 12.4% Asian, 11.4% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%
LGBT Percentage8%8%

Differences between latent fingerprint examiner and forensic ballistics expert duties and responsibilities

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.
  • Show more

Forensic ballistics expert example responsibilities.

  • Manage use and maintenance of company vehicle, surveying equip., cameras, and firearms.
  • Provide computer forensics, litigation and regulatory support, including expert testimony.
  • Perform in-depth forensic analysis of Macintosh computer hard drives and prepare expert report for use in ongoing litigation.
  • Perform function tests on submit firearms and collect standards for microscopic comparisons.

Latent fingerprint examiner vs forensic ballistics expert skills

Common latent fingerprint examiner skills
  • Law Enforcement Agencies, 18%
  • Afis, 13%
  • Identification System, 8%
  • Fingerprint Cards, 8%
  • Latent Prints, 7%
  • Criminal Justice, 6%
Common forensic ballistics expert skills
  • Litigation, 42%
  • Cyber Security, 23%
  • Encase, 15%
  • E-Discovery, 13%
  • Security Practices, 7%

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