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FSC360 > Evolution of Fingerprint Analysis > Flashcards

Evolution of Fingerprint Analysis Flashcards

1
Q

What are Ashbaugh’s four premises regarding friction ridge identification?

A
  1. Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive form prior to birth
  2. Friction ridges are persistent throughout life except for permanent scarring, disease, or decomposition after death
  3. Friction ridge paths and details in small areas of friction ridges are unique and never repeated
  4. Friction ridge patterns vary within limits, which allow for classification
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2
Q

What are the three main types of friction ridge patterns?

A

Loop
Arch
Whorl

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3
Q

What is AFIS

A

Automated fingerprint ID system
Searchable database of persons who have been lawfully fingerprinted under the authority of the Identification of Criminals Act.

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4
Q

Who manages AFIS?

A

RCMP

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5
Q

Is AFIS relied upon to confirm or exclude identity?

A

No. Used as a tool to narrow potential search down to fingerprints with similar features.

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6
Q

Who is friction ridge identification left to?

A

Task of qualified examiners

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7
Q

What are the 3 available conclusions of friction ridge analysis?

A

Identification
Exclusion
Inconclusive

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8
Q

What is the ACE-V method?

A

Analysis, comparison, evaluation, verification

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9
Q

What is imperative about the ACE-V method?

A

Analyze unknown impression before proceeding to known source to prevent bias.

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10
Q

What does identification in friction ridge analysis mean?

A

examiner determined there is sufficient quality and quantity of detail in agreement to conclude that two areas did originate from the same source.

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11
Q

When was fingerprint analysis first used in Canada?

A

1908

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12
Q

What is the significance of People v. Jennings?

A

First American case addressing admissibility of fingerprint expert testimony

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13
Q

What was held in People v. Jennings?

A

Fingerprint evidence has a scientific basis and is a reliable manner of identification appropriate to expert testimony.

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14
Q

What is the current understanding of fingerprint analysis?

A

Underlying science to latent print examinations can be affected by a wide range of human factors.

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15
Q

What factors can affect latent print exams?

A

Training
Experience
Bias
Fatigue

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16
Q

What is the fingerprint examiner’s fallacy?

A

Courts have admitted fingerprint evidence on the basis that fingerprint uniqueness vouches for the accuracy of the identification process.

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17
Q

Is fingerprint analysis infallible or irrefutable?

A

No

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18
Q

Describe the case of Brandon Mayfield

A

Madrid
Group of terrorists detonated bombs on commuter trains
Multiple latent prints recovered, including one on bag of detonators
Prints sent to INTERPOL and FBI contacted for assistance
FBI ID’d latent print to Mayfield. Verified by second examiner.
Spanish police disagreed
Mayfield still arrested
Spanish police id’d print to Ouhnane Daoud
Mayfield released, charges dismissed.

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19
Q

What contextual information about Mayfield may have played a biasing role in his identification?

A

Married to Egyptian immigrant
Lawyer for convicted terrorist
Recently converted to Islam

20
Q

What did the NAS report say about ACE-V?

A

Subjective
Does not guard against bias
Does not guarantee same results between examiners
Does not imply reliable results are produced.

21
Q

What did the NAS report say about contextual bias?

A

May affect the results of the analysis

22
Q

What did the NAS report say about differences between impressions?

A

Too easily explained by common sense and acceptable distortion based on experience, rather than a scientific foundation

23
Q

What were the three purposes of the NAS Report?

A
  1. Help law enforcement identify perpetrators with higher reliability
  2. Reduce occurrence of wrongful convictions
  3. Enhance the US’s ability to address needs of homeland security
24
Q

What were the PCAST conclusions on latent fingerprints?

A

Has foundational validity
Validity as applied: realities to keep in mind - bias, proficiency testing

25
Q

What constitutes foundational validity in forensic science?

A

Repeatable, reproducible, accurate

26
Q

What is validity as applied in forensic sciences?

A

Method has been reliably applied in practice

27
Q

What two tests must be met to meet the criteria for validity as applied?

A
  1. Forensic examiner is capable of reliably applying the method and has actually done so.
  2. Practitioner’s assertions about probative value of proposed identifications must be scientifically valid.
28
Q

What is one example of the Criminal Code highlighting fingerprinting in the criminal context?

A

Section 487.092(I) relates to a justice’s power to order a warrant authorizing the collection of impressions on the body.

29
Q

What does section 2(1) of the Identification of Criminals Act say in regards to fingerprinting?

A

Persons in lawful custody and charged or convicted with an indictable offence may be fingerprinted, photographed, or subject to other measurements having the object of identifying persons.

30
Q

What was determined about fingerprinting in R. v. Beare; R. v. Higgins?

A

Fingerprinting a charged person not yet convicted is constitutional

31
Q

What do voire dire proceedings addressing admissibility of fingerprint evidence tend to focus on?

A

Challenging CHarter and, less frequently, impression warrant issues.

32
Q

What were the problems with the expert’s evidence in R. v. J.J.?

A

Failing to disclose report before trial
Twice incorrectly referenced print in report
Testified in a manner reflecting he had not carefully reviewed the basis for his opinion
Relied solely on training rather than scientific lit
Twice misidentifying digits

33
Q

What was found in R. v. Gambilla?

A

Fingerprint comparisons are not an exact science and aspects of the analysis reflect the subjective views of the analyst

34
Q

Describe the issues of the judge in R. v. Bornyk?

A

trial judge raised articles himself at the conclusion of the trial. He then reserved judgment and requested further submissions from the Crown and defence. Submissions were provided without objection from either side and the fingerprint expert who testified was not recalled to address the literature raised by the trial judge

35
Q

What was the result of Bornyk’s second trial?

A

Convicted

36
Q

What are the limits to the weight of fingerprint evidence?

A

Cannot determine when a fingerprint impression was placed on a surface
Cannot determine how long a latent print has remained on the surface

37
Q

What are the three variables that will impact the lifespan of a latent print?

A

Person
Surface/substrate
Environment

38
Q

Give examples of how the age of a fingerprint may be narrowed down

A

Deposited onto a time and/or date stamped item (ex. newspaper, receipt)
Eyewitness accounts observe the suspect touch a surface
Suspect admits to handling an item or touching a surface on a specific date/time
Video surveillance

39
Q

Describe the facts of R. v. LePage

A

Lepage’s fingerprint found on bag that was under couch he was sitting on with his gf when police executed search warrant
Fingrprints not on paper itseld
2 other people lived in the home
Theland took responsibility and then recanted

40
Q

What was the issue in R. v. Lepage?

A

Can drug possession be inferred based on the presence of fingerprints on a plastic Ziploc bag containing LSD?

41
Q

What was the analysis of R. v. Lepage by the SCC?

A

Drawing an inference of possession based on the presence of fingerprints is not subject to a hard and fast rule.
Instead, it is a questions of fact which depends on all of the circumstances of the case and all of the evidence adduced.

42
Q

What was the conclusion of R. v. Lepage?

A

Conviction upheld
No evidence Lepage innocently handled the bag

43
Q

Describe the facts of R. v. Mars.

A

Mars’ fingerprint on a pizza box connected him to the crime.
Pizza box part of ruse to enter the apartment and initiate home invasion.
Convicted at trial.

44
Q

What was the issue of R. v. Mars?

A

Was Mars involved in the home invasion?

45
Q

What was analysis of R. v. Mars?

A

The mere presence of an accused’s fingerprits at a crime scene cannot be assumed to be highly inculpatory evidence. Depends on totality of the evidence.

46
Q
A

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