G5 Identification Officer - Fingerprints

Apply before

18/01/2026, 23:55

Reference number

511

Salary

£36057

RRA - Recruitment and Retention Allowance (Per Annum)

£ 3000

Role grade

Contract type

Permanent

Command

Investigations

Business Area

Multi-Threat & Borders & Forensics

Type of role

Administration / Corporate Support, Business Management and Improvement, Governance, Investigation, Operational Delivery, Science

Working pattern

Full time, Part time, Flexible Working, Job share

Number of roles available

G5 Identification Officer - Fingerprints

Location(s)

Tamworth

About the Role

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.

Role Summary

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.

Role Description

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.

Duties and Responsibilities

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.

Person Specification

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.

Essential Criteria

You must meet the essential criteria and evidence this within your application to be considered for the role.

Entry Requirements

Friction Ridge detail analysis, comparison and evaluation of either tenprints or marks.
Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems.
Understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017.

Qualifications, Membership and Licences

Evidence of Foundation Fingerprint Qualification or Initial Tenprint level competency

Any applications from candidates not meeting this eligibility criteria will not progress.

Salary

Allowances are reviewed annually and may be increased, decreased or removed.

All salary offers will be made in line with Remuneration Policy.

This position attracts a Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA) of £3000 (Per Annum) available as an addition to the advertised salary.

Benefits

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:

Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
Learning and Development opportunities
Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
Housing schemes - Key Worker status
Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway | Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
Staff support groups/networks
Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using the Success Profiles framework and will assess using the following criteria: Behaviours, Technical Skills

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

How we will assess you

Your application will be assessed against the following:

Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks.

Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems

Basic understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017

Experience in being involved in the improvement of a more positive or inclusive team environment.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

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.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

Working Together

Changing and Improving

Technical

Friction Ridge detail Analysis, comparison and Evaluation of either tenprints or marks.

Current knowledge & experience of working with fingerprint database systems

Basic understanding of fingerprint standards, regulation and accreditation; FSR CoP&C / ISO 17025:2017

Experience in being involved in the improvement of a more positive or inclusive team environment.

Assessment Outcome

Outcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.

You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.

Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records.

We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Eligibility, Pre-Employment Check and Vetting

Please see the NCA T&Cs and Privacy Policy (pdf) for details on how your data is handled.

If you are an internal candidate who has passed interview but is undergoing an internal investigation or have a written warning in place preventing a post move you may not be able to be posted until this investigation is concluded or restriction lifted.

Nationality Requirements

This role is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals or dual nationals, where one component is British

• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland

• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK

• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre- settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020

• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

You will be required to participate in digital right to work and address checks as part of the recruitment process.

Security and Vetting

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is SC Enhanced. All security clearances will be managed by the NCA.

For more information on security vetting please visit: UK Security Vetting guidance for applicants and Demystifying Vetting and see our vetting charter at: The Vetting Charter.

Vetting requirements - SC Enhanced

Prior to commencing the role, you will need to successfully complete SC Enhanced clearance.

The requirement for SC clearance is to have been present in the UK for at least 3 of the last 5 years.

Failure to meet the residency requirements will result in your security clearance application being rejected.

For further information on National Security Vetting checks please visit the following page Demystifying Vetting

Individuals will be required to undertake and pass a substance misuse test as part of pre-employment checks.

Occupational Health

Successful candidates will be expected to undertake an occupational health assessment. Depending on the role an in-person medical may be required in either London or Warrington. Unfortunately, travel costs will not be reimbursed.

Things you need to know

Near Miss

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.

Hybrid Working

The NCA supports hybrid working. The extent of remote working will depend on the role and can be discussed at the offer stage.

Reasonable Adjustments

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.

Inclusion

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.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Working for the Civil Service

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.

Working for the NCA

The National Crime Agency is a 24/7 organisation, and working patterns must support business requirements. Some roles may require you to respond at short notice or outside of core hours.

If preferable, alternative contract types may be available. Please review the green bar of this advert to view all available contract types for this role. Where Loan or Secondment options are available, these would be for existing Civil Servants (Loan) and applicants from accredited Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs) or any other employer (Secondment). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

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

Attachments

NCA T&Cs and Privacy Policy (pdf)

This vacancy is closed to applications.