Courtroom Testimony for Fingerprint Examiners

This book provides an in-depth look at fingerprint evidence, including its history, current best practices, and limitations in court. It offers guidelines and recommendations for standards and appropriate nomenclature and illustrates how experts can work with attorneys to educate and inform jurors and judges.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 31 August 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Fingerprint evidence has a rich history in law enforcement and criminal investigations, with its use dating back to ancient times. However, the scientific characterization of fingerprint evidence has faced numerous challenges and limitations over the years. In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on improving the accuracy and reliability of fingerprint analysis, as well as on developing best practices and guidelines for its use in court.

This book is the first to focus solely on testifying on fingerprint evidence as a comparative science. It provides current guidelines and recommendations for standards and appropriate nomenclature in the courtroom. The book also illustrates how experts can work with attorneys to ensure that the testimony process educates and informs jurors and judges, rather than perpetuating an adversarial dynamic.

One of the key challenges in fingerprint analysis is cognitive bias, which can lead to errors in identification and interpretation. The book addresses this issue by discussing the importance of training and certification for fingerprint analysts, as well as by advocating for the use of blind testing and peer review to minimize bias.

Another important issue is subjectivity, which can introduce errors in fingerprint analysis. The book discusses the use of objective criteria and standardized protocols to ensure consistency and reliability in fingerprint identification. It also emphasizes the importance of using multiple sources of evidence and cross-referencing to increase the accuracy of identification.

Error rates are another significant challenge in fingerprint analysis. The book discusses the use of probability models and statistical analysis to estimate the likelihood of a match between fingerprints. It also highlights the importance of quality control measures, such as double-checking and peer review, to minimize error rates.

Probability models are also used to assess the strength of fingerprint evidence in court. The book discusses the use of different probability models, such as Bayesian and likelihood ratios, and their limitations and advantages. It also emphasizes the importance of using expert testimony to explain the models and their implications to jurors and judges.

Ethics is another important issue in fingerprint analysis and testimony. The book discusses the ethical considerations that arise in fingerprint identification, such as privacy and confidentiality, and the importance of adhering to ethical guidelines and standards. It also emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in the fingerprint analysis process.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of fingerprint evidence and current best practices and limits on characterizing fingerprint evidence in court. It is an essential resource for attorneys, law enforcement professionals, and forensic scientists, as well as for anyone interested in understanding the science and challenges of fingerprint analysis.

Weight: 448g
Dimension: 156 x 233 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032050980