Crime Scene Investigator Network

Crime Scene Investigator Network Newsletter

AUGUST 2020

Latent Fingerprints of Insufficient Value
Can be Used as an Investigative Lead

Attias D, Hefetz I, Ben-Shimon E

Abstract

The evidential and investigative value of a latent fingerprint with insufficient characteristics to identify can sometimes be an issue of debate. In this report the authors present the case of a latent fingerprint bearing details in agreement with no visible discrepancies, but with insufficient information to identify. This raises well-examined issues of decision making. In this case each expert in the laboratory who examined the latent fingerprint independently was not able to identify the suspect, who was on the list of candidates presented by the AFIS, even though there was information about a matching DNA profile. The authors suggest that in cases of latent fingerprints where there is insufficient minutiae for individualization, the fingerprints may be still be used as a searching tool and investigative aid for potential suspects. Latent fingerprints in these cases will not serve as evidence, but they can be a potentially useful tool for investigation purposes and intelligence units.

Background

In March 2012 a group of young teenagers began a violent fight by using knives and guns. One of them was badly injured and the others escaped. Police arrived at the scene and collected evidence such as a knife, a cigarette box and several beer bottles. By using cyanoacrylate fuming three latent fingerprints were developed on the cigarette box. This case of attempted murder was placed on a fingerprint examiner's desk. Analysis of the latent fingerprints led the examiner to evaluate two latent fingerprints as having value for identification and one as insufficient. From a list of fifteen candidates displayed by the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), one person was notated as a potential source. The examiner processed comparative fingerprints and enlarged both the fingerprint image from the crime scene and the corresponding image of the AFIS record to size of 20X30 cm, but he could not reach a conclusion due to an insufficient number of details; only 6-7 minutiae with no contradiction were found, as presented in Figure 1.

The fingerprints were shown to an expert for his examination, but he as well could not reach a conclusion. Two other experts, independently, were asked to examine the print and the record. After marking several minutiae but not enough to positively identify the suspect, the three experts could not reach to a conclusion.

Given the contextual information in this case in the form of a combination of other evidence, what should the fingerprint experts do? Should they declare a "hit"?

< read the complete article >

This article appears in the Journal of Forensic Science & Criminology, Volume, Issue 3. Copyright: © 2015 Attias D. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

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This Month's Featured Resource on the Crime Scene Investigator Network Website

The idea of The Fingerprint Sourcebook originated during a meeting at which individuals representing the fingerprint, academic, and scientific communities met in Chicago, Illinois, for a day and a half to discuss the state of fingerprint identification with a view toward the challenges raised by Daubert issues. The meeting was a joint project between the International Association for Identification and West Virginia University. One recommendation that came out of that meeting was a suggestion to create a sourcebook for friction ridge examiners, that is, a single source of researched information regarding the subject. This sourcebook would provide educational, training, and research information for the international scientific community.
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Crime Scene Investigator I
Aurora Police Department, Aurora, Colorado, USA

Final Filing Date: September 2, 2020
Investigates crime scenes to recover any potential evidence. Locates, identifies, classifies collects and preserves crime scene evidence. Prepares detailed reports on investigations. Photographs and videotapes crime scenes and evidence. Assists coroner at death scenes. Attends autopsies to collect evidence and photograph examinations. Measures evidence at crime scenes using a variety of manual, electronic and computerized measuring devices (FARO scanner) and creates scaled drawings/diagrams.
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Identifies, collects, documents, and preserves physical evidence from crime scenes; this includes lifting latent fingerprints using a variety of methods; documents crime scenes and accident locations by conventional, digital and video photography and sketching; and documents and collects impressions of shoe prints, tire tracks and other objects at crime scenes.
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Respond to crime scenes when directed or requested to conduct detailed inspections for the presence of evidence and properly process all evidence, such as latent prints, footwear and tire impressions, firearms evidence, blood and other physiological fluids, DNA evidence, controlled substances, trace evidence such as hair, fibers and gunshot residue. Photograph crime scenes, victims, autopsies, traffic crashes, property damage, stolen property, arson scenes, measure and map crime scenes and traffic crash scenes, and complete detailed logs and reports.
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Police Forensic Scientist - Latent Prints (I, II, or III)
Scottsdale Police Department, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

Final Filing Date: September 7, 2020
Analysis, comparison, and evaluation of complex latent print evidence and the examination, development, and preservation of latent prints on submitted evidence. Duties will also include writing detailed reports and testifying to the methods used and the conclusions reached and conducting the evaluation and quality review of analytical results and reports. On rare occasions, may provide technical assistance and expertise at major crime scenes.
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Forensic Scientist I
Massachusetts State Police, Maynard, Massachusetts, USA

Final Filing Date: This requisition will remain open until filled; however, first consideration will be given to those applicants that apply by August 28, 2020.
Complete comprehensive training in current methods and techniques used to conduct chemical and biological laboratory or on-site tests including, but not limited to, analyzing biological specimens and organic and inorganic substances; preparing solutions to be used in testing; and operating laboratory equipment.
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DNA Laboratory Technician
Institute of Forensic Sciences, Houston, Texas, USA

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Crime Lab Forensic Scientist 1 - Biology
Metro Nashville Police Department, Nashville, Tennessee, USA

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Participates and successfully completes the Forensic Biology training program set forth by the Technical Leader. Maintains and demonstrates efficiency in the field of Forensic Biology. Assists with the training of forensic technicians. Performs chemical, microscopic, and immunological tests on physical evidence. Interprets serological results. Evaluates quality of DNA data. Maintains technical forensic laboratory files and records of findings accurately. Prepares analytical reports and effectively communicates results of analyses. Provides expert testimony in court based on laboratory findings.
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