One of the advances in fingerprint evidence since Dr. King’s murder has been further study of the ridge comparisons (Saferstein, 2015). A person’s full fingerprint averages 150 ridge characteristics providing plenty of comparison for an identity match (Saferstein, 2015). There have been arguments made that prints collected at a crime scene are not complete, full prints and that could subject the comparison to be invalid because an incomplete fingerprint may only allow for a very limited number of ridge comparison (Saferstein, 2015). In 1973, the International Association of Identification conducted an extensive study, which dispelled any theory that limited ridge comparisons could not identify a person successfully (Saferstein, 2015). In
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The ability to classify fingerprints using computer-based technology began in 1970 (Saferstein, 2015). Then, in 1999, AFIS was put into service (Saferstein, 2015). The advantage to the AFIS system is that the computer can quickly scan the large database of millions of fingerprints to find a match saving valuable time for criminal investigations (Saferstein, 2015). Even more impressive is the ability of AFIS to search with incredible speed up to ten fingerprint comparisons at a time (Saferstein, 2015). To better understand how significant the speed of AFIS is to law enforcement, California estimated it took just 20 minutes to accomplish finding a murder suspect in what would have taken close to 70 years prior to AFIS (Saferstein, 2015). AFIS also provides law enforcement the capability to search people not just considered suspects as they have access to the entire database (Saferstein, 2015). Still, in order to maintain evidence integrity, an expert still must verify the match, not just relying on the computer’s analysis (Saferstein, 2015). This technology also has streamlined the booking in process to correctional facilities using what is called “livescan” (Saferstein, 2015). This digital fingerprint can then quickly be uploaded into the AFIS system while also prevents having to use ink and paper (Saferstein,
The ability to classify fingerprints using computer-based technology began in 1970 (Saferstein, 2015). Then, in 1999, AFIS was put into service (Saferstein, 2015). The advantage to the AFIS system is that the computer can quickly scan the large database of millions of fingerprints to find a match saving valuable time for criminal investigations (Saferstein, 2015). Even more impressive is the ability of AFIS to search with incredible speed up to ten fingerprint comparisons at a time (Saferstein, 2015). To better understand how significant the speed of AFIS is to law enforcement, California estimated it took just 20 minutes to accomplish finding a murder suspect in what would have taken close to 70 years prior to AFIS (Saferstein, 2015). AFIS also provides law enforcement the capability to search people not just considered suspects as they have access to the entire database (Saferstein, 2015). Still, in order to maintain evidence integrity, an expert still must verify the match, not just relying on the computer’s analysis (Saferstein, 2015). This technology also has streamlined the booking in process to correctional facilities using what is called “livescan” (Saferstein, 2015). This digital fingerprint can then quickly be uploaded into the AFIS system while also prevents having to use ink and paper (Saferstein,