| Author | Message | ||
     Kasey |
Clyde, I would still propose that the universal acceptance is because the method and technique give valid results. Exactly how that method and technique are implemented by the department may not be exactly the same around the world. However, go to a hospital and watch the method for carrying out a surgical procedure to arrive at a specific result. Then go to another hospital and watch a completely different method that arrives at exactly the same specific result. Just because methods aren't exactly the same doesn't mean that the entire conclusion is faulty. It simply means that there is more than one way to reach a conclusion... and this is a proposition that has been known in science for centuries. | ||
| Clyde Nichols |
What is interesting is one of the criteria for using fingerprints as an identification medium is that they are universal, however the "standards" used to determine identity vary from country to country? Go figure! | ||
| Kasey Wertheim |
Amy, I would add to Ernie's post that the 'standard' you speak of is a quality assurance / quality control standard, not a scientific standard. It is recognized by examiners within the field of friction ridge identification that not just the quantity, but also the QUALITY of the impression determines whether or not it can be identified. For example, if you have an impression with 5 hazy "points," many examiners would not consider individualizing that. However, if that impression were crystal clear and good known prints were being compared, the chances are the examiner would be able to see additional details other than just "points" and could make the identification. That brings up the other issue... what is a point? There are three levels of details, and to use just "points" and ignore the others is also not scientifically accepted. So to answer in short: There is no scientific standard becasue fingerprint examination is a quantitative AND qualitative process, and more than just "points" are used. Hope this helps! -Kasey | ||
| Ernie Hamm |
From Fingerprint Whorld, 12:47 (Jan 1987) USA - No fixed number Canada - No fixed number Sweden - 7 Holland, Finland, Greece - 10 Turkey - 8 Germany - 8 to 12 India - 6 to 12 South Africa - 7 Japan, Brazil, Mexico, Yugoslavia, France, ICPO, Australia (Northern Territories has no fixed number), Hong Kong, Ireland - 12 England - 16 (this has been dropped) Peoples Republic of China - 8 (Change in Hong Kong's points?) | ||
| amy zhuang |
how many points of the fingerpionts do you need to identify a crime? Some countries have set their own standards which do include a minimum number of points, but how many points |
