The knowledge of how to evaluate, compare, and identify friction skin is gained through many hours of training and experience, involving independent study and one-on-one mentoring by an expert. This course is designed to start that process through a series of lectures, practical exercises, and drills that increase the student's knowledge and foster confidence in the usefulness of the science and in the student's ability to use it. Many facets of skin friction examination will be explored, and the challenges associated with the science will be discussed in detail. Each participant will understand the principles underlying the science, and as a result, they should have a practical, functional knowledge of how to examine friction skin upon completion of the course. The course starts by teaching the "language" of friction skin examination and pattern recognition. Then the student will learn how to use all three "levels of detail" and apply ACE-V methodology as the basis for the examination process.

This course has been designed with many different groups in mind and is suited for law enforcement personnel and students who are new to forensics as well as law enforcement personnel and students who are already familiar with forensic identification matters including experienced Tenprint and Latent Print examiners who are already conducting examinations or are being trained to do so. Because of the scope of the material covered, this course is beneficial for all but seasoned examiners and can serve as an excellent introduction to the science for those in other disciplines, particularly crime scene personnel. Law enforcement personnel will be able to return to work and immediately use this training to continue their development as examiners. Students would be able to apply for jobs that require such training. Other professionals involved in both the academic and judicial systems would also benefit, as they would receive a broad overview of the science without needing to put it into practice.