Fingerprint Examiner Conducts Chemical Analysis On Recovered Weapon

Case Overview

This case involves a fatal stabbing at a nightclub. Shortly after the shooting, the knife was recovered by police. During the investigation, there was disagreement among the parties as to the immediate causes and situation and who used the knife. It was alleged that there was an altercation in which the knife changed hands before the victim was stabbed. In order to clarify the facts of the case, an expert in fingerprint examination was sought to inspect the knife involved in the incident and determine whether or not there are fingerprints from more than one individual present on its surface.

Questions to the Forensic expert and their responses

Please describe your background in fingerprint analysis.

I am a certified latent print examiner through an international identification association. I have been working in this field for 22 years and have consulted on similar cases. This expert holds a degree in Forensic Chemistry from Ohio University, and has been active in the field of forensic science since 1991. He has worked for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He is recognized by the International Association for Identification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner, Certified Footwear Examiner and Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst.

How might you determine if the fingerprints on an object originated from multiple individuals?

I would chemically process the item in question to determine if any comparable latent fingerprints are present. If so, then I would compare these latent prints to the known prints of persons of interest to try to determine if more than one person can be identified.

About the expert

This expert holds a degree in Forensic Chemistry from Ohio University, and has been active in the field of forensic science since 1991. He has worked for the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. He has conducted over 150 training classes throughout the United States, as well as in Africa, Belgium and the United Kingdom. He is recognized by the International Association for Identification as a Certified Latent Print Examiner, Certified Footwear Examiner and Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst. He served on the Editorial Review Board for the Journal of Forensic Identification for more than a decade. He currently operates an independent forensic sciences consultancy in South Carolina.