Fingerprint Specialist
Brandon Michaud
What is it?
- Fingerprints are the traces of an impression from the friction ridges of any part of a human or other primate hand. A print from the sole of the foot can also leave an impression of friction ridges.
- Fingerprints are easily deposited on suitable surfaces
- Fingerprint analysts are scientists who are responsible for preserving, studying and evaluating fingerprints, palmprints or footprints
How is it used?
- To identify individuals who wish to conceal their identity
- To identify people who are incapacitated or deceased and thus unable to identify themselves, like after a natural disaster.
- Fingerprint analysis has led to many crimes being solved.
Education
- Bachelors degree in forensic science
- Graduate degree
- Study chemistry, biological science, criminal justice, criminalistics
Real life case
A fifteen year old school girl, Lynda Mann was abducted in Narbourough, England. The next day, her body was discovered raped and murdered. Three years later, another young woman met the same fate near Lynda’s resting place. Richard Buckland was arrested and confessed to the second murder only. An untested technique was applied; ‘genetic fingerprinting’ through DNA analysis. Surprisingly, there was no match in either murder, so the test was repeated. Ultimately, Buckland was proven innocent. As to why he confessed, he claimed he had been pressured by police.
5,500 men from the local area were then tested. Colin Pitchfork persuaded a friend to test in his place, but when he bragged about fooling the investigators, he was overheard and reported. His genetic profile matched the semen samples from both girls, and in 1987 he became the first murderer convicted by DNA.