Mr. Eisenberg.

How much training does it take before you can make an identification?

Mr. Latona.

Well, I cannot tell you exactly how much in terms of time, insofar as what constitutes an expert. I can simply tell you what we require of our people before they would be considered experts.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Yes, could you do that?

Mr. Latona.

We require our people before they would be----

Mr. Dulles.

This is the FBI?

Mr. Latona.

Yes; this is the FBI. It would be 10 years of practical work in connection with the classifying and searching and verifying of regular fingerprint cards which bear all 10 prints. Those prints would be searched through our main fingerprint files. That means that that person would have to serve at least 10 years doing that. Of course, he would have to progress from the mere searching operation to the operation of being what we call unit supervisor, which would check--which would be actually the checking of the work of subordinates who do that work. He would be responsible for seeing that the fingerprints are properly searched, properly classified.

Mr. Eisenberg.

And how long will he work in the latent fingerprint section?

Mr. Latona.

He would have to take an adaptability test, which would take 3 or 4 days, to determine, first of all, do we feel he has the qualifications for the job. Then if he passed the adaptability test, he would receive a minimum of 1 year's personal training in the latent fingerprint section--which means that he would have to serve at least 11 years in fingerprint work constantly, day in and day out, 8 hours a day in fingerprint work, before we would consider him as a fingerprint expert for purposes of testifying in a court of law.

Mr. Eisenberg.

So that when you show us this chart, this is actually, or I should say, is this actually a demonstration, rather than a chart from which we could make an identification?

Mr. Latona.

That's right. The purpose is simply a hope on my part that by my explanation you may have some idea as to how a comparison is made, rather than for me to prove it to you through these chars, because unquestionably there are certain points that you will not see which to me are apparent.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Now, Mr. Latona----

Mr. Dulles.

May I ask a question? Is this ridge formation, sort of two ridges coming together, is that one of the most distinctive things you look for? I note on these charts, Exhibit 634, the various examples you have given us have been of one type so far.

Mr. Latona.

Two.

Mr. Dulles.

I did not get the two. I get the two ridges coming together with sort of the ending of a valley. You were saying there were two distinctive things. I have only. caught so far one distinctive thing--that is the two ridges coming together in a kind of valley with no exit.

Mr. Latona.

Two that come together, like a fork. And the other one was the one that just ends by itself--does not join.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Which is an interrupted ridge?

Mr. Dulles.

I do not get the distinction.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Is that an interrupted ridge you just described?

Mr. Latona.

What we call an ending ridge.

Mr. Eisenberg.

Off the record.
(Discussion off the record.)

Mr. Eisenberg.

Back on the record. Mr. Latona, could you prepare a diagram which would show some of the characteristics, in broad outline, which we have been discussing, and have those labeled, and could you submit that diagram to us at a future date?

Mr. Latona.

Yes; I could.

Mr. Eisenberg.

We will append it to your testimony, so that your testimony may be more easily followed in the record---with the permission of the Chairman.

Representative Ford.

It will be prepared and submitted and included in the record.
(The item referred to was later supplied and was marked Commission Exhibit No. 634A.)