Is There a Need for 100 Percent Verification (Review) of Latent Print Examination Conclusions?

• NCJ Number: 237818
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 62 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2012 Pages: 80-100
• Author(s): John P. Black
• Date Published: February 2012
• Length: 21 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study examined the need for conducting 100 percent verification of all latent print examination conclusions.

Abstract

This research attempts to provide insight on the extent of verification as currently practiced within the latent fingerprint community. Ten questions were posed to this community regarding various aspects of verification: 56 agencies responded. The study results indicate that nearly every agency is performing verifications on 100 percent of reported fingerprint identifications. The study results also indicate that exclusion, inconclusive, and "no value" decisions are not being verified to the same extent. Interestingly, erroneous identifications constitute the minority of technical fingerprint errors, whereas erroneous exclusions, missed identifications, and inappropriate "inconclusive" and "no value" decisions are far more numerous. (Published Abstract)