28-11-2014, 05:18 PM
(This post was last modified: 28-11-2014, 05:34 PM by Drew Phipps.)
Fingerprint technology has advanced quite a bit since 1998. The introduction of AFIS (computerized assisted search for matching fingerprints) has improved the ease of finding similar print types (thumb-whorl-left, pinky-bridge-right, etc) for comparison, though "GIGO" is still an issue. Also digital storage of fingerprint images (not to mention higher definition printers) have made a difference. What looked like a match back in the day, might not be good enough for today.
Fingerprint ID is still as much an art form as a science, however. There isn't a computer that can match two prints (yet) despite what Hollywood shows us, primarily because unidentified latents are nearly always either partials, or distorted, or smudged. The Eyeball Mark 1 is still the best tool, and experienced experts (like Darby) using "blind comparisons" are still the most reliable way of finding matches. Also, even today, equally qualified fingerprint experts might reach differing conclusions with the same information.
Edit: As I recall, not long ago, a doctor/lawyer(?) in Seattle was announced by the FBI as a fingerprint match for a terrorist bombing in Spain. The Spanish police disagreed. Eventually he was exonerated.
Fingerprint ID is still as much an art form as a science, however. There isn't a computer that can match two prints (yet) despite what Hollywood shows us, primarily because unidentified latents are nearly always either partials, or distorted, or smudged. The Eyeball Mark 1 is still the best tool, and experienced experts (like Darby) using "blind comparisons" are still the most reliable way of finding matches. Also, even today, equally qualified fingerprint experts might reach differing conclusions with the same information.
Edit: As I recall, not long ago, a doctor/lawyer(?) in Seattle was announced by the FBI as a fingerprint match for a terrorist bombing in Spain. The Spanish police disagreed. Eventually he was exonerated.
"All that is necessary for tyranny to succeed is for good men to do nothing." (unknown)
James Tracy: "There is sometimes an undue amount of paranoia among some conspiracy researchers that can contribute to flawed observations and analysis."
Gary Cornwell (Dept. Chief Counsel HSCA): "A fact merely marks the point at which we have agreed to let investigation cease."
Alan Ford: "Just because you believe it, that doesn't make it so."
James Tracy: "There is sometimes an undue amount of paranoia among some conspiracy researchers that can contribute to flawed observations and analysis."
Gary Cornwell (Dept. Chief Counsel HSCA): "A fact merely marks the point at which we have agreed to let investigation cease."
Alan Ford: "Just because you believe it, that doesn't make it so."