I am the author of two books, Courtroom Testimony for the Fingerprint Expert and Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison. These books may be purchased through the various online book sellers or directly from the publisher at http://www.staggspublishing.com.

Courtroom Testimony for
the Fingerprint Expert

Courtroom Testimony for the Fingerprint Expert was written by retired FBI Supervisory Fingerprint Specialist Gary W. Jones. This 94 page 5 1/2" by 8 1/2" book is a valuable text in preparing you to testify as an expert witness in court. You will refer to this text over and over to become more effective as an expert witness.

Contents Include

CHAPTER 1 -- Preparation

Notes
Anticipating Questions
The Pre-Trial Conference

CHAPTER 2 -- Dress and Appearance

Male Expert
Female Expert
Uniforms
Distractions

CHAPTER 3 -- Courtroom Demeanor

The Witness Room
The Courtroom
Prior to Testifying
Prior to Entering the Courtroom
Taking the Oath
Presenting Testimony
Demonstrating Charted Enlargements
Courtesy
The Five Basic Rules of Testimony

CHAPTER 4 -- Defense Tactics

Tactics and Questioning

CHAPTER 5 -- Cross-Examination

Age of a latent
Number of Fingerprint Characteristics Needed to Effect an Identification
Court Exhibits
What is an Expert
Mistakes of Infallibility
Negative Testimony
Processing for Latent Prints
Lines of Questioning
Known Fingerprints
Classification
Physiology of Fingerprints
Charted Enlargements
Qualifications
History of Fingerprints
Technical

CHAPTER 6 -- Defense Attorneys, Prosecutors, Juries, Judges and Reporters

Defense Attorney's
Prosecutors
Juries
Judges
Reporters

CHAPTER 7 -- Mock Trials

Preparation
The Courtroom
The Trainee/Expert Witness
The Prosecutor
The Judge
The Jury
The Defense Attorney
Critiques and Evaluations
A Personal Note
Glossary of Fingerprint Terms
References

Introduction to
Fingerprint Comparision

The comparison of fingerprints, especially latent fingerprints (palm prints, footprints), can be the single most difficult task in all the fingerprint science. No matter how skillful an individual may be in all the related areas, it is the additional ability to accurately compare latent prints against known prints that allows the examiner to be called a fingerprint expert. This ability is gained through training, knowledge, experience and work under the guidance of a qualified fingerprint expert(s).

Fingerprint comparison is a skill that can be acquired by almost anyone who expends the required effort, which can be very demanding. It is difficult, but it's not rocket science. If you are just beginning, don't get discouraged you can do it!

Speed and accuracy of comparisons are the natural results of being aware of fundamental techniques.

This book is not a comprehensive examination of the entire spectrum of fingerprint comparison. The information contained in this book is designed for the novice; the individual who has never compared fingerprints, but wants a foundation on which to build comparison skills. Many advanced techniques for comparing fingerprints are not addressed in this book.

After mastering the basic principles of fingerprint comparison, the only way to learn how to fully compare prints is to continue comparing while receiving additional instruction in the more advanced techniques. The person entering this field must continually seek out every opportunity to observe, compare and study fingerprints. This is also true of the most experienced expert

The work of the fingerprint expert is serious business. It is a tremendous responsibility and a privilege to be validated in a court of law as an expert and allowed to give an opinion as to the identity of a fingerprint. This privilege and responsibility is never to be taken lightly. In an effort to make some highly technical material a little easier to understand, I have written this book in a somewhat lighthearted vein. This is not meant to indicate that I believe the comparison of fingerprints, or any other aspect of the fingerprint science, is to be approached in anything less than a solemn, serious manner.

This book is also a "no-frills" presentation on the subject of latent fingerprint comparison. Common language will be used. That is not meant to suggest that the knowledge of the proper scientific terms and descriptions common to the fingerprint science is not important. It is important, which is why a glossary of these terms is included in the back of this book.

Contents Include

CHAPTER 1-- Ethical Conduct in Fingerprint Examinations

CHAPTER 2 -- Physical Aspects of Fingerprint Comparisons

CHAPTER 3 -- Equipment

Comparison magnifiers
Reticles
Ridge counters

CHAPTER 4 -- Fingerprint Classification

Purpose of classification
Loops
Ridge counting
Arches
Whorls
Tracing whorls
Henry classification formula
NCIC classification

CHAPTER 5 -- The Basics of Fingerprint Comparison

Ridge characteristics
Number of points needed to identify a fingerprint
Ridge flow direction
The structure of ridges
Uniqueness in ridge arrangements
Analyzing latent prints
Relative position
Comparing latent fingerprints
Proper orientation
Simultaneous impressions
Pattern tendencies
Tips of fingers
Sides of fingers
Lower joint areas of fingers
Double impressions
Inconclusive comparisons
Palm prints
Scars and creases
Incipient ridges

CHAPTER 6 -- Verification

CHAPTER 7 -- Notes

You've Only Just Begun

GLOSSARY OF FINGERPRINT TERMS

ANSWERS TO QUIZZES