Fingerprints Aren’t Foolproof

In movies and on television, once a fingerprint has been discovered at the crime scene, it’s only a matter of time until the criminal is caught. A fingerprint seems to be the most damning piece of evidence that can be used against an individual. Real-life forensic scientists will tell you, however, that while each person does have unique fingerprints, matching them can be difficult, even for experts.
Although fingerprints are distinct among individuals, their patterns are so intricate and variable that it takes a well-trained eye to recognize a match. Computer technology has made this process a lot easier, but seasoned forensic scientists note that there is no completely foolproof statistical formula for matching fingerprints.