The repeat 8/28/13 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation episode titled "Fearless" had its' first blog entry on 5/2/13.
Tonight I'd like to address their fingerprint match which consisted of only 5 - 6 points of identification. It's true that one only needs about a 1/4" area of the print (a little smaller than the partial obtained on the small latex item in the show). However, the points of comparison have to be there.
A fingerprint is comprised of friction ridge skin. There are ridges that split. If it splits into two lines it is called a bifurcation. If it splits into three lines, it is called a trifurcation. If it splits and comes back together to create a circle then it is called an island. If the line stops, the end is called an ending ridge. All of these are points of identification.
In the United States there is no specific number of points of identification needed to render an individualization. It is usually up to the training and experience of the examiner. However, it is rarely done on less than 8 points. And now even that is being called into question. And it is always done with verification by a human being - not the instrumentation. The machines are only a tool.
When is the last time you heard of a machine testifying in court? But wait - what is the name of the computer that won Jeopardy??
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