A participant at Ron Smith & Associates’ International Latent Print Examiner Training Academy dusts for fingerprints during a recent training session held at Meridian Community College’s Workforce Development Center. During the academy, students learned about the history, principles and application of latent fingerprint examination.

Twenty-four members of the Chicago Police Department got a closer look at Meridian Community College, specifically the MCC-Riley Workforce Development Center, while learning details in latent prints.

The CPD officers studied with Ron Smith & Associates’ International Latent Print Examiner Training Academy. This Collinsville-based business trains individuals in forensic science, where an impression of the skin of the fingers or palms of the hands is transferred to another surface.

The academy holds some classes at the college; evidence processing classes are held at the RS&A headquarters lab.

“We have partnered with Ron Smith & Associates on their National Latent Print Examiner Training Academy since Fall 2018,” said Lucy Lamberth, MCC director of workforce grants and development.

Lamberth noted that this year the college’s partnership with the agency developed to add the additional training course for the Chicago Police Department. Chicago officers were on-site for two weeks with the Ron Smith & Associates staff.