Fingerprint Analysis In Law Enforcement

Fingerprint analysis had been used for over 100 years in law enforcement. The first forensic organization to identify criminals was established in 1915. In that time fingerprints were being used to track a criminal’s record, including previous arrests to decide decisions like sentencing, probation, and pardoning decisions. As technology has advanced so has our use for fingerprints. We have now been able to use fingerprints for background checks, biometric security (a way to access computers, electronic devices, and or secure locks or doors by using a fingerprint), and mass disaster identification. For example, in the case of a mass disaster to identify a large amount of people instead of the usual way of another person identifying the body you would take the fingerprints of the victims. Then they would take the fingerprints through the data base to identify each individual. The fingerprint data base is the largest data base in the world.
The collection is accomplished by a type of ink or charcoal rubbed on the finger then placed on a sheet of paper. The ink is used to expose the different aspects of the fingerprint, to darken and make the details more visible. The first step is to analysis the fingerprint and make sure the print is suitable. This may also help uncover details like scars and creases that help with the next step of comparison. In the step of comparison/classification an analysist will compare the print side-by-side and note each characteristic that may make it more unique and classify it into its group. The third step is evaluation. Depending on the purpose of the fingerprint, in a criminal process you are determining whether the prints match to the scene and the criminal. In the identification process you would determine if there were enough similar qualities to prove heredity. The last step is verification, which is when another examiner verifies or agrees with your