What are the odds of finding each type of fingerprint in the population (e.g., whorl, arch, mixed and loop)?
The odds are often low to obtain and record all characteristics in one print lifted off the surface of an object. There recently has been much legal criticism in the interpretation of fingerprints. It has been observed that the “fingerprint expert” often uses more than one print and uses characteristic from different prints to present their “best judgment” that the prints match. Some computer search routines are available that help narrow down to 10-12 suspects (out of 10’s of thousands), but the final call is made by the print experts who uses their judgment and experience to make a match. The problem is that most prints are blurred or smudged, making the interpretation difficult for the computer (and most examiners). Therefore, fingerprints are only one part of a bigger District Attorney’s presentation to associate a person with a crime scene. It is rare today, with well educated defense attorneys, that prints alone will convict. • What do you need to do to find if a person is the cr
