Fingerprint Evidence

The FBI Laboratory has entered into a partnership with four regional crime laboratories that will double the capacity to offer free mitochondrial DNA testing to state and local law enforcement agencies.

While forensic scientists have long claimed fingerprint evidence is infallible, the widely publicized error that landed an innocent American behind bars as a suspect in the Madrid train bombing alerted the nation to the potential flaws in the system.

University of California scientists have developed a novel method for detecting fingerprints based on the chemical elements present in fingerprint residue.

Methods, safety guidelines and techniques are outlined for using superglue fuming for effective latent print development.

Techniques for using old-fashioned black powder for fingerprint development.

Review tips for using the cyanoacrylate fuming method for developing latent fingerprints.

Many of the techniques for developing "normal" latent prints do not work suitably on prints in which a significant portion of the latent print residue is blood or blood serum. This article provides techniques used for developing latent prints, where blood is present.

A brief explanation of the techniques involved in gathering and using fingerprint evidence.

A look at methods used to successfully fingerprint the dead.

As difficult as it may be to obtain prints from human skin, this article reviews some techniques and discusses the importance for law enforcement to be willing to try to obtain this most important evidence.

This article discusses if the successful procedure of fingerprinting is an art of a science, or both.

This article demonstrates the flexibility that magnetic powder offers to crime scene technicians.

This article discusses safety measures and techniques for using this most productive and cost-effective method of developing latent fingerprints on paper.

A list of processes and procedures for different surface types. Also included are processing sequences that specifically involve prints that are left in blood along with details for implementation in Latent Print Unit (LPU) of the FBI Laboratory.

A look at the cyanoacrylate fuming method (often called the super glue method) of developing latent fingerprints.

A look at different methods in history used to identify criminals, how fingerprinting changed criminal investigation, and the people who impacted the acceptance of fingerprinting for identification purposes.

The judge who decided the original Llera-Plaza motion, which is discussed and critiqued in the following article, reversed himself on March 13, 2002, holding that expert evidence of a fingerprint "match" was admissible.