FINGERPRINTING UNDER SCRUTINY

Here are a few articles commenting on fingerprint analysis, its usefulness and reliability, as well as our common perceptions regarding the practice:

Fact Is, Science Has Never Put Its Finger On Prints

The Myth of Fingerprints

ACE-V - Is It Scientifically Reliable and Accurate?

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HAND BACTERIA FOR INDIVIDUALIZATION

One of the most interesting and recent developments in individualization techniques is detailed in the Homeland Security Bulletin below:

New Biometric Identifier

Each individual has "personal" bacteria communities living on the fingers and palms of individual computer users; members of these communities are deposited on keyboards, mice and other things we touch; the link between the bacterial communities and the bacterial DNA signatures of individuals may soon become a tool in forensic identification.

I'll be posting more on this subject as the methodology and science develop.

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