ABSTRACT
Latent print examiners or tenprint examiners compare friction ridge impressions from unknown sources to exemplar prints from a known source to determine if they originated from the same source. Fingerprint comparison is an exercise in pattern recognition. ACE-V is the methodology fingerprint examiners use to perform fingerprint examinations and form conclusions as to the source of the impressions. ACE-V stands for analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification. The three possible conclusions to a comparison are identification (both prints likely originated from the same source), exclusion (the prints originated from different sources), or an inconclusive (no identification or exclusion conclusions can be made). In this laboratory exercise, pattern recognition tasks and fingerprint comparisons will be performed using ACE-V methodology.
