Advances in Fingerprint Technology.pdf

granted for a pretrial conference, the district attorney will be informed of
that fact. Usually then, the prosecutor will find the time for a pretrial conference.
The following are suggested procedures for the pretrial conference.
1. The expert should familiarize the prosecutor with all the essential
details known about the case so that both the prosecutor and the
expert can review the testimony to be given. This is also an excellent
time to check the evidence. The expert must make sure this is the same
evidence that was originally examined. Also, the expert should check
where the evidence was initialed, so that when called upon in court
to identify the evidence, the initials can be indicated easily.
2. The expert can then advise the prosecutor of the preferred sequence
of witnesses.
a. Initially, testimony is given to the introduction and identification
of the object, lift, or photograph showing the latent print. This
testimony states the location of the object or latent print at the
crime scene, the date found, and the circumstances surrounding
the evidence’s development and preservation. Although the person
offering this testimony may have some training or experience in
these practices, this witness does not have to be, nor qualify as, a
fingerprint expert.
b. Introduction and identification of the known fingerprints of the
defendant follow. This testimony must be given by the person(s)
who took the defendant’s known prints. Although this person has
knowledge and experience concerning the proper recording of fingerprints,
it is not necessary that he/she be a fingerprint expert nor
qualify as one in order to offer this testimony. The defendant’s name
should appear on the card as well as the signature or other personal
identifying mark of the person taking the prints. Whenever possible,
the known fingerprints used to establish the identity of the
defendant should bear the current charge for which the defendant
is being tried. Any data on the fingerprint card relating to a prior
arrest must be brought to the attention of the prosecutor. Such data
must be masked out. If this information inadvertently becomes
known to the jury, it may be grounds for an immediate mistrial.
c. The final witness is the fingerprint expert. The expert should offer
the prosecutor a list of qualifying questions, designed to establish
the expert’s qualifications and to give the jury a better understanding
of the fingerprint expert’s testimony. The following is a suggested
list of qualifying questions for the introduction of the
fingerprint testimony.