Fingerprint & Footprint

Fingerprint and Footprint Analysis

The presence of a person’s fingerprint at a crime scene does not necessarily demonstrate that they were the offender, however, many people have been charged on this basis alone. Fingerprint Experts are Forensic Scientists who scrutinise and evaluate all the factors pertinent to the fingerprint evidence, not just the ‘identification’ reported by the police Fingerprint Expert.  It is this wider, more thorough, approach that has previously shown some prosecution allegations cannot be sustained by the evidence and in some cases has proved the defendant’s innocence.

One of the great strengths of the UK’s Criminal Justice System is the ability of the Defence to view and question the evidence of the Prosecution, and if your case is based around the identification of an individual through a fingerprint, how can you be assured that the evidence offered is fair, unbiased and above all else, accurate.

Fingerprint Expert evidence and identification errors came under the spotlight in 2011 with criticism by Judges in the Court of Appeal case of R-v-Smith and numerous recommendations made by the Chairman of the Fingerprint Inquiry Scotland, the most thorough review of fingerprint methodology the UK has known since the evidence was first adduced over 100 years ago.

Our experts go above and beyond the required standard and produce high-level reports.

Click on the names below to read the profiles of our fingerprint experts

David Goodwin

What is fingerprint analysis?

Fingerprint analysis is the process of identifying an individual based on their unique fingerprints. It is a form of biometric identification and is used by law enforcement to identify suspects, victims, and missing persons. Fingerprint analysis involves the comparison of two fingerprints to determine if they are from the same person. This comparison is done by examining ridge detail, pattern type, and other characteristics of the fingerprints.

How do forensic scientists analyse fingerprints?

Forensic scientists analyse fingerprints by comparing them against fingerprints in a database. They look for patterns, ridges, and other characteristics that are unique to each individual. They then match prints from a crime scene to prints in the database to identify a suspect. 

Why is fingerprint analysis important?

Fingerprint analysis is important because it is a reliable method of identification. It can be used to identify individuals, confirm or refute a suspect’s involvement in a crime, or even eliminate suspects from an investigation. Fingerprint analysis is also useful in verifying identities or linking individuals to items of evidence. It is an accurate and reliable method of identification that has helped to solve countless crimes.

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Find out more about how Matrix Forensic can help with fingerprint and footprint analysis by sending us an enquiry.

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