RS&A Online Training

Many investigators – let alone fingerprint examiners – are either unaware of an entire world of possible identifying evidence contained in inadvertently photographed hands and other ridge detail areas, or they are unsure of how to utilize this type of modern evidence. In our current society, digital cameras are everywhere and are used constantly – from regular pictures of day-to-day life to images posted on social media and websites. Just like regular citizens, criminals take images of a multitude of objects, people, and locations. These images can be discovered during routine online investigations or whilst executing search warrants. Some images are occasionally deemed incriminating – such as a felon holding a firearm in their hand, or a pedophile with their hand visible in a compromising position. However, these images can usually only be used as evidence (or at the very least much stronger evidence) if an identification can be made to the ridge detail visible in the image.

There have already been several cases involving identifying people by using ridge detail visible in photographs, both across the USA and internationally. Such cases where identifications were made from inadvertently photographed ridge detail include rape, pedophilia, firearms, drugs, and burglaries.

Understanding this increasingly common type of evidence is critical for the modern-day fingerprint examiner. Knowing how to adjust perspective, how to appropriately calibrate the fingerprint to scale, and how to enhance these types of images to properly visualize the ridge detail gives examiners important skills for their toolkit to assist in new methods of investigations. Furthermore, being able to advise investigators of the value of this type of evidence will be possible when examiners have the knowledge of what is achievable.