ABSTRACT
For over one century Ÿngerprints have been used in criminal cases to place individuals at crime scenes or prove they had contact with an item of evidence. Fingerprints are circumstantial in nature. A Ÿngerprint found on a Ÿrearm does not mean that the individual who deposited the print ever Ÿred the weapon. It simply means that at some time in the history of that Ÿrearm that individual touched it. Despite its circumstantial nature, Ÿngerprint evidence can be very compelling and can ožen lead to pleas of guilty or convictions at trial. ™rough database searches, Ÿngerprint evidence can even provide an investigative lead in a case with absolutely no suspects.
