M. Dawn Watkins MS, CLPE - SCSA

Certified Latent Print Examiner
Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst

Dawn spent 10 years at the Federal Bureau of Investigation in Washington, DC in the Identification Section as a Fingerprint Analyst. Ms. Watkins moved to Florida where she was employed by the Hollywood Police Department as a Latent Print Examiner. During her 18 years at the Hollywood Police Department, Ms. Watkins was responsible for Budget Preparations, Latent Comparisons, Photography, Digital Imaging, AFIS System Coordinator, Development, Collection and Preservation of Fingerprints. Henry Classification and Searches on John/Jane Doe, Collection, Obtaining and Searching of Deceased Persons Fingerprints from the Medical Examiner’s Office, Court Visual Aide Charting, Expert Court Testimony, Fingerprint Recovery of John/Jane Doe at Hospitals for Identification, Evaluation of Latent Fingerprints for Value, Elimination Fingerprint Recovery at Crime Scenes of both Suspects and Victims, Fingerprint Recovery of Individuals with Skin Diseases and with Deformities. Ms. Watkins was the Training Officer for Correctional and Police Officers on How to Obtain and Roll Proper Inked Fingerprints, NCIC, AFIS, and Latent Print Recovery, Trainer/Tutor for New Latent Print Examiners and Assisting other Agencies, including DEA, FBI, Customs, Secret Service and ATF. With over 100,000 Comparisons in the past 19 Years. Dawn has testified as an Expert Witness in Latent Fingerprints in Dade, Broward, & Palm Beach County Courts on 267 occasions, Federal Courts on 4 occasions. During her tenure at the Hollywood Police Department, Ms. Watkins Received 2 Administrative Excellence Awards, Employee of the Month, Perfect Attendance Award (15 Years), Unit Citation, 8 Departmental Commendations, 15 Letters of Recognition and 13 Letters of Appreciation. Ms. Watkins retired from the Hollywood Police Department after 18 years of Meritorious Service.

After retiring from the Hollywood Police Department, Ms. Watkins spent 14 months at the Coral Springs Police Department as a Senior Latent Print Examiner/Crime Scene Investigator, before joining the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department as the Senior Latent Print Examiner/Crime Scene Investigator. Ms. Watkins duties include Latent Prints, Crime Scene Search & Recovery, Forensic Photography, Court Testimony and AFIS entry.

Ms. Watkins accomplishments include a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice, Certification as a Latent Print Examiner and a Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst with the International Association for Identification. Her forensic educational experience extends to over 2036 hours. Ms. Watkins is an instructor with IPTM, Orlando were she teaches Advanced Latent Fingerprint Recovery & Comparison, Forensic Photography and Crime Scene Technology. Ms. Watkins has also been a lecturer at the International Association for Identification Educational Conferences since 1996 and serves on the International Fingerprint Committee.