Law - Criminal Discussion and Assignment 3

1. In the past few years, there have been several significant decisions that have resulted from challenges to the admissibility of fingerprint evidence ( Daubert hearings).  Where do we stand now?   Describe one case, or ruling, that helped to establish the current state of fingerprint evidence in a court of law?  

2. After reading chapter 14 of our textbook, what research can still be done to reinforce the assertion that identification based on fingerprints is a science?

Langenburg, G. (2011). Scientific research supporting the foundations of friction ridge examinations. In National Institute of Justice (Ed.), The fingerprint sourcebook, pp. 14.1-14.31. US Department of Justice.

Using your notes from your fingerprint comparison (Assignment 2), you will write a laboratory report for your comparison.  Report writing differs from agency to agency, or in different jurisdictions. You  must  use the attached lab report template (in Word) to complete your final report. The OSAC standards for reporting friction ridge exam results has been attached to guide you in writing the lab report.

Your final report should include the following: 

· Name and address of the forensic laboratory

· The name, agency, and address of the lab analysis requestor

· Agency Case number

· Laboratory Number

· Date of offense

· Date of analysis

· Date of report

· Type of Investigation (Offense):

· Name(s) of Victim(s)

· Name(s) of Suspect(s)

· General description of the evidence examined

· Summary of Analytical Procedure(s) used (Methodology)

· Examination Results

· Conclusions and Findings (may include an opinion). 

· Photographs, samples, drawings, schedules, maps, charts, and summaries relevant to the case

· Your name and title (Forensic Student)

· Glossary and Definition of terms

Some of this information is obtained from the Chain of Custody provided with Assignment 2. That Chain of Custody has also been attached here.

Note the areas on the Lab Report Template and make sure you completely fill out that document. Submitting a document other than the provided Lab Report Template may result in your Assignment not being accepted. Also make sure you review the Assignment 3 Rubric prior to submitting your assignment.