{"id":352273,"date":"2023-09-13T11:16:32","date_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:16:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/fingerprints-the-first-id.html"},"modified":"2023-09-13T11:16:32","modified_gmt":"2023-09-13T16:16:32","slug":"fingerprints-the-first-id","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/criminal\/criminal-procedure\/fingerprints-the-first-id.html","title":{"rendered":"Fingerprints: The First ID"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n \n
\n

Fingerprints: The First ID<\/h1>\n
\n
\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
\n

The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

\n

Plastic fingerprints are visible to the naked eye and leave behind a three-dimensional imprint. Pressing your fingers or hand into something moldable such as wax, soap, or tar is the most common way you’ll leave behind plastic fingerprints.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

Fingerprints are the oldest and most accurate method of identifying individuals. No two people \u2014 not even identical twins \u2014 have the same fingerprints. It is extremely easy for even the most accomplished criminals to leave incriminating fingerprints<\/a> at the scene of a crime.<\/p>\r\n

This article provides an outline of fingerprint identification in the context of criminal evidence<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Fingerprints<\/h2>\r\n

Each set of fingerprints<\/a> has unique ridge patterns and points that trained fingerprint experts can see and identify. If experts compare two fingerprints, and one has a point not seen on the other, fingerprint examiners will deem that uniqueness as a failed match.<\/p>\r\n

The fingerprints are identical if there are only matching points and no differences. There is no requirement for a set number of matching points, but the more points, the stronger the print identification.<\/p>\r\n

Fingerprints fall into three groups<\/a>:<\/p>\r\n