School-Based Fingerprint Laboratory Simulator: A Needs Assessment

In the contemporary educational system, school-based crime laboratories offering BS Criminology program are outdated, no sufficient equipment that are being utilized by the students, however, in the current educational situation, school-based crime laboratories have evolved and progressed due to advancements in knowledge and technology and continued efforts to strengthen standardization and accreditation provided by the CHED Memorandums. Most of the private and public universities and colleges exerted efforts to include: the implementation of new techniques and instruments such as the creation of innovative utility models that are produced by the students and faculty members that provides easier laboratory experiences and experiments; research to better understand the scientific methods and its limitations; and the increased of demand in using modern and technological facilities used in Criminalistics laboratory subjects like the creation of school-based Automated Fingerprint Identification System. The study adopted the descriptive method of research and qualitative research designs to assess the need of digitized laboratory equipment in teaching Personal Identification Techniques. The result of the analysis revealed existing similarities of needs in the development of digitizing most of the laboratory equipment used in the institution should be addressed through the conduct of needs assessment of the stakeholders and the beneficiaries in the education system especially in courses offering specialization. The result of the study implied a clear indication that the development of School-Based Digital Fingerprint Laboratory equipment is highly encouraged that are not limited to Hand and Fingerprint Digital Scanning; Fingerprint database system; 2D or 3D technology court presentations and Digital fingerprint classification formula and extension.