Publication Date

2017

Journal

Albany Law Review

Abstract

The article examines the role of fingerprint evidence in wrongful convictions and exonerations, focusing on errors beyond erroneous individualizations, such as missed exclusions and inconclusive results. It introduces a framework for categorizing fingerprint errors and advocates for increased access to post-conviction Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) searches to reduce miscarriages of justice. The authors argue that while DNA database searching is widely recognized as a tool for exonerations, fingerprint database searching remains underutilized despite its potential to uncover innocence. They propose expanding legal access to fingerprint evidence to align with the principles of truth, justice, and science.

Volume

81

Issue

3

First Page

807

Last Page

850

Publisher

Albany Law School

Disciplines

Courts | Evidence | Law | Law Enforcement and Corrections

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