The Fingerprint Identification Officer role processes subject fingerprints and examines scene of crime marks in line with bureau policy and within agreed quality standards, carrying out relevant searches either manually or electronically. They play a key role in supporting the established technical fingerprint capability including the implementation of accreditation across services offered.
Information about the Command
Investigations Command is the core crime fighting capability of the NCA. We take an intelligence-led approach and concentrate on tackling the criminals and risks to the public which are beyond the capability or capacity of other law enforcement bodies. Our work is largely focused on investigating Organised Immigration Crime, Human Trafficking, Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, Economic Crime, Firearms, Drugs, Kidnap and Extortion and Money Laundering. The Investigations Command provides a flexible, shared operational capability, designed to maximise the impact of the UK’s collective resources against serious and organised crime. Our teams respond to a broad range of threats, many of which also remain a responsibility for police forces and other agencies as well as private industry.
Information about the Business Area
This DD area comprises the Command’s national multi-threat teams (in the north, central & Wales, and the south), as well as the Command’s Forensic capability.
Forensic Services provides a range of capabilities to support the NCA’s fight against Serious and Organised crime. At the heart of everything we do is the Forensic Science Regulator’s Codes of Practice and for the Identification Bureau this means compliance to international accreditation standard ISO 17025.
The Identification Bureau is a specialist team of Fingerprint and DNA subject matter experts who provide NCA with a range of services to deliver robust evidence and intelligence to support the identification of subjects. The team manages the NCA’s access to the UK National Fingerprint Database (IDENT1) to support various automated identification activities in support of NCA core business and International fingerprint requirements, including Prüm Fingerprint exchange. The business area conducts fingerprint analysis, comparison and searching activity in support of criminal justice outcomes and international fingerprint requirements on behalf of the UK, providing expert witness evidence for the organisation as required.
The Fingerprint Identification Officer role processes subject fingerprints and examines scene of crime marks in line with bureau policy and within agreed quality standards, carrying out relevant searches either manually or electronically. They play a key role in supporting the established technical fingerprint capability including the implementation of accreditation across services offered.
Fingerprint Identification Officer duties are varied and include the undertaking of both technical and administrative functions to manage fingerprint records and casework material relating to agency operations.
The Fingerprint Identification Officer provides non reporting support to the agency’s Identification Bureau maintaining the operational and technical efficiency and effectiveness of all identification services. Maintaining and operating biometric systems, performing identity checks, ensuring data integrity and compliance with quality standards and legal requirements such as Protection of Freedoms Act are all part of day to day activities. Fingerprint Identification Officers also play a key role in validation and verification of fingerprint methods to assist with demonstrating continued compliance to ISO 17025. Where satisfactory competence is demonstrated further training on the fingerprint learning programme may be offered as part of a progression plan to grow the next generation of expert witnesses.
The role is based in the Tamworth office and due to the nature of the role does not offer hybrid working. Flexible working is considered with a minimum of 30 hours per week.
| Fingerprint Examination – Tenprints | Search, collate and analyse tenprint records from multiple data systems to attribute subject identity in accordance with relevant legislation, forensic regulation, international accreditation standards, agency policies and best practice. |
| Fingerprint Examination – Marks | Conduct 1st level analysis, comparison and evaluation of friction ridge detail from crimes scenes and exhibits to attribute subject identity in accordance with relevant legislation, forensic regulation, international accreditation standards, agency policies and best practice. |
| Method Development | Development of new technical workflows including validation and verification of fingerprint methods. Support the maintenance and calibration processes to ensure all equipment and methods remain fit for purpose. |
| Process Development | Engage with and implement operating procedures for the use and management of biometric systems in ISO 17025 accredited environment. A commitment to, and compliance with, the Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice and Conduct |
| Exhibit Handling | Receipt, handling, storage and documentation of fingerprint exhibits |
| Business Support & quality assurance | Providing technical, operational and administrative assistance for biometric systems & processes. Carry out effective quality assurance of case material and assist the development of fingerprint datasets. |
| Records Management | Create accurate and up to date records to aid investigations for prosecution purposes in line with CPIA. Operate, maintain, monitor and troubleshoot fingerprint systems ensuring the accuracy and integrity of data stored within them. |
| Skills, Knowledge and Experience | Description |
| Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks. | Experience of routine processing of fingerprints; marks or tenprints. |
| Understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017 | Application of accreditation principles within casework, audit or assessment environment |
| Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems | End User knowledge and experience of IDENT1 / IABS systems processing either mark or tenprint data |
| Understanding of information management and data integrity issues | Management of biographic and biometric records in digital and hardcopy |
| Knowledge of relevant governance and legislation | Familiarity with PoFA, AFSPR, CPIA and related oversight bodies e.g FINDS, OBSCC, UKAS. |
| Experience of Handling Exhibits and Evidence | Experience of handling exhibits and evidence, including receipt, storage and considerations around continuity and integrity |
| Customer Service | Understands who the customer is, what they need and effectively delivers against those requirements. Develops and maintains positive relationships with internal and/or external stakeholders. |
| Communication | Skills to convey information clearly and effectively through written and verbal communication. |
| IT Skills | Ability to confidently work with Microsoft Office (primarily excel) as well as learn other forensic applications and programmes as required. |
| Time Management | Effectively manages time and workload ensuring tasks are completed to agreed standards and timelines. |
All NCA employees are members of the UK Civil Service and eligible for the Civil Service pension scheme, alongside your salary the NCA contributes £10445. Further information on the benefits of the scheme is available on the Civil Service Pension Website.
New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.
If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).
Other benefits include:
Further information is available on the NCA Website.
Longlist
In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.
– Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks. .
Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.
You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.
We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.
Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.
The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.
In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:
If you meet the criteria for a lower grade, you may be offered that role if not appointable at the advertised grade.
Conversely, if found appointable at a higher grade but no posts are available, you may be offered a lower-grade role.
All offers are made based on merit.
We’re proud to be a Disability Confident Leader and an inclusive, equal opportunities employer.
We’re committed to creating a workplace where everyone can be their authentic self. If you’re neurodiverse, have a disability, or live with a long-term health condition, we encourage you to let us know about any reasonable adjustments you may need during the recruitment process.
If you experience accessibility issues with the advert or require reasonable adjustments, please contact our Recruitment Team at Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk before the advert closing date.
Please ensure you complete the ‘Equal opportunities’ and ‘Reasonable Adjustments’ sections in the application form to inform us on what support you may need in the recruitment process.
For more on our Disability Confident commitment, visit Disability Confident Scheme | Civil Service Careers.
Visit NCA Benefits and Support for more details.
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy
In order to monitor the effectiveness of the National Crime Agency’s Diversity & Inclusion strategy, we require certain personal details about you on submission of your application for statistical and monitoring purposes only. Please note that this will be treated in confidence and will not impact your application.
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit on merit through fair and open competition, in line with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.
If you have any specific queries about the role that are not covered by the advert, please contact:
Name : Central Recruitment Team
Email : Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk