North Carolina Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) State Practice Exam

Under what condition can a person charged with a felony or misdemeanor have their fingerprints taken?

1. When they are summoned to court

2. After being photographed

3. Upon being arrested or committed to detention

4. When submitting a job application

The correct answer is: Upon being arrested or committed to detention

The process of taking fingerprints is a standard procedure in law enforcement that is primarily conducted during the arrest process. When a person is arrested or committed to a detention facility, law enforcement officials are tasked with recording identifying information, which includes taking fingerprints. This serves multiple purposes such as confirming the individual’s identity, checking for prior criminal history, and maintaining accurate records. In contrast, the other conditions listed are not typically associated with the requirement for fingerprinting. For example, being summoned to court does not necessitate fingerprinting as the individual is not detained; rather, they are instructed to appear for a legal proceeding. Similarly, being photographed does not inherently involve taking fingerprints, as these are separate processes aimed at documentation. Lastly, submitting a job application generally does not require fingerprinting unless the job itself has specific legal or regulatory requirements, which is not a standard condition across the board. Thus, the requirement to take fingerprints is specifically linked to the situation where an individual is arrested or secured in detention, making this the correct context for the procedure.