The use of fingerprints in identifying suspects

In this research, the value of fingerprints lifted from a crime scene is evaluated as an investigative technique in identifying suspects. Identifying suspects through fingerprinting has proved to be one of the most effective methods of apprehending individuals who might otherwise go undetected and continue their criminal activities. The problem was identified, as many housebreaking and theft cases were closed as undetected and withdrawn where suspects could not be identified and traced because the fingerprint investigators were not summoned to lift fingerprints at the crime scenes. The results of the study showed that the use of fingerprints in identifying suspects is of great value because every fingerprint is unique, and a fingerprint is an individual characteristic; no two fingers have yet been observed to possess identical ridge characteristics. Fingerprints as physical evidence are more reliable than eyewitness evidence because eyewitnesses might change their testimony during the trial at court.Criminology and Security ScienceM.A. (Criminal Justice