Arizona Department of
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist I (Latent
Prints) Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
Distinguish “Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis” from
“Ninhydrin, DFO”. Which task most directly addresses the former?
A. Alternative light sources (ALS), oblique lighting, UV/IR spectrum utilization, and digital
imaging techniques
B. Blind and open verification procedures, peer review workflows, and quality assurance
protocols
C. 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one
D. Anatomy and physiology of volar skin (epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges)
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis: Anatomy and physiology
of volar skin (epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges). Ninhydrin, DFO:
1,8-diazafluoren-9-one. A: This describes “Visual Examinations”, rather than the requested focus.
B: This describes “Verification”, rather than the requested focus. C: This describes “Ninhydrin,
DFO”, rather than the requested focus.
Question 2
Which note correctly distinguishes the focus of “Level I, II, and III Detail and
Pattern Interpretation”, “Documentation, Technical Reporting, and Court
Testimony”, “Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS / NGI)”,
“Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis”? Pay particular
attention to the role of “Principles of uniqueness and variation in friction ridge
formations”.
A. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Recording known exemplars (rolled
and plain impressions using ink and live-scan digital capture technology)
B. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Architecture, database structures,
and search algorithms of local, state (AZAFIS), and national (FBI NGI / IAFIS) fingerprint
databases
C. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Principles of uniqueness and variation
in friction ridge formations
D. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Laboratory quality assurance,
proficiency testing, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards, and ethics in forensic science
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis: Principles of uniqueness
and variation in friction ridge formations. A: This option instead describes the following different
focus: Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern Interpretation: Recording known exemplars (rolled and
plain impressions using ink and live-scan digital capture technology). B: This option instead
describes the following different focus: Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS / NGI):
Architecture, database structures, and search algorithms of local, state (AZAFIS), and national (FBI
NGI / IAFIS) fingerprint databases. D: This option instead describes the following different focus:
Documentation, Technical Reporting, and Court Testimony: Laboratory quality assurance,
proficiency testing, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards, and ethics in forensic science.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 3
After finishing “ridge endings, bifurcations, dots, enclosures, short ridges,
convergence”, a practitioner moves from “Minutiae features” to “Introduction
and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis”. Which task matches the new focus?
A. Side-by-side comparative analysis of latent impressions against known exemplars
(simultaneous, objective examination process)
B. Principles of uniqueness and variation in friction ridge formations
C. Chain of custody, evidence documentation, integrity maintenance, and contamination control
D. ridge endings, bifurcations, dots, enclosures, short ridges, convergence
Correct Answer: B
Full Explanation: Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis: Principles of uniqueness
and variation in friction ridge formations. Minutiae features: ridge endings, bifurcations, dots,
enclosures, short ridges, convergence. A: This describes “Comparison”, rather than the requested
focus. C: This describes “Crime Scene Response, Evidence Handling, and Safety”, rather than the
requested focus. D: This describes “Minutiae features”, rather than the requested focus.
Question 4
The technical requirement is “Ninhydrin, DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one), physical
developer (PD), and silver nitrate”. Which heading identifies the relevant area?
A. Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern Interpretation
B. Powders (black, magnetic, fluorescent, specialized), cyanoacrylate ester (super glue) fuming,
vacuum metal deposition (VMD), and dye stains
C. Processing Porous Surfaces
D. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Processing Porous Surfaces: Ninhydrin, DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one), physical
developer (PD), and silver nitrate. A: That focus concerns “Palm print and plantar impression
analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning”, not the activity being assigned. B: That focus
concerns “rhodamine 6G, RAM, basic yellow”, not the activity being assigned. D: That focus
concerns “Principles of uniqueness and variation in friction ridge formations”, not the activity being
assigned.
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 5
Two responsibilities must remain distinct: “Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern
Interpretation” and “Anatomy and physiology of volar skin”. Which first/second
pairing preserves their roles?
A. First: Palm print and plantar impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning;
second: Palm print and plantar impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning
B. First: epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges; second: epidermis, dermis, primary
and secondary ridges
C. First: epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges; second: Palm print and plantar
impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning
D. First: Palm print and plantar impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning;
second: epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern Interpretation: Palm print and plantar
impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning. Anatomy and physiology of volar skin:
epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges. A: Repeating the first assignment leaves the
second requirement without its own matching focus. B: Repeating the second assignment does not
address the first requirement. C: The two roles are reversed: the first assignment belongs with the
second focus, and vice versa.
Question 6
Compare these two needs: “Overall pattern types (arches, loops, whorls), ridge
flow, and focal points (core and delta)”; then “Reaching professional
conclusions (Individualization/Identification, Exclusion, Inconclusive)”. Which
ordered pairing best distinguishes them?
A. First: Evaluation; second: Evaluation
B. First: Evaluation; second: Level I Detail
C. First: Level I Detail; second: Level I Detail
D. First: Level I Detail; second: Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Level I Detail: Overall pattern types (arches, loops, whorls), ridge flow, and
focal points (core and delta). Evaluation: Reaching professional conclusions
(Individualization/Identification, Exclusion, Inconclusive). A: Repeating the second assignment does
not address the first requirement. B: The two roles are reversed: the first assignment belongs with
the second focus, and vice versa. C: Repeating the first assignment leaves the second requirement
without its own matching focus.
4
Public Safety Arizona
Forensic Scientist I (Latent
Prints) Exam Plan
,QUESTIONS
Question 1
Distinguish “Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis” from
“Ninhydrin, DFO”. Which task most directly addresses the former?
A. Alternative light sources (ALS), oblique lighting, UV/IR spectrum utilization, and digital
imaging techniques
B. Blind and open verification procedures, peer review workflows, and quality assurance
protocols
C. 1,8-diazafluoren-9-one
D. Anatomy and physiology of volar skin (epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges)
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis: Anatomy and physiology
of volar skin (epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges). Ninhydrin, DFO:
1,8-diazafluoren-9-one. A: This describes “Visual Examinations”, rather than the requested focus.
B: This describes “Verification”, rather than the requested focus. C: This describes “Ninhydrin,
DFO”, rather than the requested focus.
Question 2
Which note correctly distinguishes the focus of “Level I, II, and III Detail and
Pattern Interpretation”, “Documentation, Technical Reporting, and Court
Testimony”, “Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS / NGI)”,
“Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis”? Pay particular
attention to the role of “Principles of uniqueness and variation in friction ridge
formations”.
A. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Recording known exemplars (rolled
and plain impressions using ink and live-scan digital capture technology)
B. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Architecture, database structures,
and search algorithms of local, state (AZAFIS), and national (FBI NGI / IAFIS) fingerprint
databases
C. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Principles of uniqueness and variation
in friction ridge formations
D. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis — Laboratory quality assurance,
proficiency testing, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards, and ethics in forensic science
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis: Principles of uniqueness
and variation in friction ridge formations. A: This option instead describes the following different
focus: Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern Interpretation: Recording known exemplars (rolled and
plain impressions using ink and live-scan digital capture technology). B: This option instead
describes the following different focus: Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS / NGI):
Architecture, database structures, and search algorithms of local, state (AZAFIS), and national (FBI
NGI / IAFIS) fingerprint databases. D: This option instead describes the following different focus:
Documentation, Technical Reporting, and Court Testimony: Laboratory quality assurance,
proficiency testing, ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation standards, and ethics in forensic science.
2
,QUESTIONS
Question 3
After finishing “ridge endings, bifurcations, dots, enclosures, short ridges,
convergence”, a practitioner moves from “Minutiae features” to “Introduction
and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis”. Which task matches the new focus?
A. Side-by-side comparative analysis of latent impressions against known exemplars
(simultaneous, objective examination process)
B. Principles of uniqueness and variation in friction ridge formations
C. Chain of custody, evidence documentation, integrity maintenance, and contamination control
D. ridge endings, bifurcations, dots, enclosures, short ridges, convergence
Correct Answer: B
Full Explanation: Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis: Principles of uniqueness
and variation in friction ridge formations. Minutiae features: ridge endings, bifurcations, dots,
enclosures, short ridges, convergence. A: This describes “Comparison”, rather than the requested
focus. C: This describes “Crime Scene Response, Evidence Handling, and Safety”, rather than the
requested focus. D: This describes “Minutiae features”, rather than the requested focus.
Question 4
The technical requirement is “Ninhydrin, DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one), physical
developer (PD), and silver nitrate”. Which heading identifies the relevant area?
A. Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern Interpretation
B. Powders (black, magnetic, fluorescent, specialized), cyanoacrylate ester (super glue) fuming,
vacuum metal deposition (VMD), and dye stains
C. Processing Porous Surfaces
D. Introduction and Principles of Friction Ridge Analysis
Correct Answer: C
Full Explanation: Processing Porous Surfaces: Ninhydrin, DFO (1,8-diazafluoren-9-one), physical
developer (PD), and silver nitrate. A: That focus concerns “Palm print and plantar impression
analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning”, not the activity being assigned. B: That focus
concerns “rhodamine 6G, RAM, basic yellow”, not the activity being assigned. D: That focus
concerns “Principles of uniqueness and variation in friction ridge formations”, not the activity being
assigned.
3
, QUESTIONS
Question 5
Two responsibilities must remain distinct: “Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern
Interpretation” and “Anatomy and physiology of volar skin”. Which first/second
pairing preserves their roles?
A. First: Palm print and plantar impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning;
second: Palm print and plantar impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning
B. First: epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges; second: epidermis, dermis, primary
and secondary ridges
C. First: epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges; second: Palm print and plantar
impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning
D. First: Palm print and plantar impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning;
second: epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Level I, II, and III Detail and Pattern Interpretation: Palm print and plantar
impression analysis, orientation, and anatomical positioning. Anatomy and physiology of volar skin:
epidermis, dermis, primary and secondary ridges. A: Repeating the first assignment leaves the
second requirement without its own matching focus. B: Repeating the second assignment does not
address the first requirement. C: The two roles are reversed: the first assignment belongs with the
second focus, and vice versa.
Question 6
Compare these two needs: “Overall pattern types (arches, loops, whorls), ridge
flow, and focal points (core and delta)”; then “Reaching professional
conclusions (Individualization/Identification, Exclusion, Inconclusive)”. Which
ordered pairing best distinguishes them?
A. First: Evaluation; second: Evaluation
B. First: Evaluation; second: Level I Detail
C. First: Level I Detail; second: Level I Detail
D. First: Level I Detail; second: Evaluation
Correct Answer: D
Full Explanation: Level I Detail: Overall pattern types (arches, loops, whorls), ridge flow, and
focal points (core and delta). Evaluation: Reaching professional conclusions
(Individualization/Identification, Exclusion, Inconclusive). A: Repeating the second assignment does
not address the first requirement. B: The two roles are reversed: the first assignment belongs with
the second focus, and vice versa. C: Repeating the first assignment leaves the second requirement
without its own matching focus.
4
