Posted by Rebecca Daher on September 30, 1999 at 11:29:01:
I have analyzed and compared the photos of the evidence and inked exemplar fingerprints. It is my opinion that these impressions were NOT made by the same individual. The purported identification made by the SCRO is ERRONEOUS. This is my personal opinion as an examiner and does not reflect any particular position of my employer.
I have been a forensic specialist for 17 years and am employed by an accredited forensic laboratory (Orange County Ca., Sheriffs FSS), that proficiency tests each and every Latent Print Examiner. I am currently a Director for the California State Division of the International Association for Identification.
Although there may be some understandable resistance by the SCRO and prosecution to accept the reality that this was an erroneous ident on their part, it will serve to teach all of us the danger of trying to live up to a minimum standard. Hopefully the rest of the world will learn from this experience and embrace scientific analysis rather than minimum standards as the only reliable method of fingerprint comparison. Thank goodness for the Internet (ref. Article, pg.565-JFI Vol. 49 No. 5)and Ms. McKees dogged insistence that something was amiss!
Dave Grieve and Pat Wertheim did the right thing for which they deserve respect and admiration. We should all hold as true to our convictions!
Rebecca Daher
Senior Forensic Specialist
Orange County Sheriffs Dept.