Is #FingerprintComparison #Science? Is it a technical field that is something short of science? Is it #Art? Or is it just another pseudoscientific like astrology?
The idea that science and art are mutually exclusive is false. History is liberally populated by brilliant scientists who were also great artists. Think Leonardo da Vinci. Think astronaut Alan Bean (https://www.alanbean.com/).
I noticed early in my career that high-performing students had formal training or hobbies involving art (see my article, “The Ability Equation,” Journal of Forensic Identification, 46(2), March/April 1996, p.149). That link has been borne out by others. Glenn Langenburg did an informal study of the hobbies of proficient latent print examiners and found that art was prominent. The part that an artistic brain plays in latent print comparison skill has been largely overlooked in the scientific research community.
There are many outstanding artists engaged in fingerprint comparison. In my own experience, several close friends come to mind. Jennifer Hannaford (https://lnkd.in/gC2bVJsE) and Kathleen Bright-Birnbaum (https://lnkd.in/gkYeHrNd), to name a couple. Deborah Smith is a talented painter with whom I have attended painting classes.
Bill Witte was an early latent print examiner for Las Vegas PD who established the latent print unit for the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Crime Laboratory. Bill was a superb furniture craftsman and master of intarsia wookwork. Kim McCall, formerly of Tucson Police Department, had a phenomenal eye for latent prints and is a genius at sculpting and casting western bronzes. Rudy Zamora, formerly of Mesa Police Department, is a top-notch latent print examiner (LPE) who creates wooden sculptures for the Mesa Chamber of Commerce to award dignitaries and official visitors.
Visual arts are not the only artistic hobbies of latent print examiners. Rachelle Babler left forensics to pursue a career composing and singing. Rachelle’s band performs around the San Diego area (https://lnkd.in/gyJhpGht).
While artistic talent is a definite advantage for an LPE, the condition of #FormBlindness is detrimental to a considered career in latent prints. See
https://lnkd.in/gMfAUVut
Another condition seen as a negative for latent print examination is dyslexia. However, I have had dyslexic students who became excellent latent print examiners. Dyslexics may require a different learning style and comparisons may be conducted differently from others to focus attention on pertinent details in the two prints being compared. There is ample information on the internet for dyslexics and trainers of dyslexics.
Is fingerprint comparison science or is it art? It is both. Identification is based on sound scientific principles, but comparison is an art form. This is a topic worthy of serious research to redefine the way LPE candidates are selected for employment.