An identification case study from fingerprint photographs

This study is a fingerprint comparison of the friction skin detail observed on fingers appearing in ten photographs requested by the Historic Heritage Brigade. These photographs had been uploaded to an online marketplace and show a hand holding different archaeological pieces that had allegedly been stolen. After the ten images had been digitally optimized, seven were determined to contain sufficient clear and continuous ridge detail for the purpose of fingerprint comparison and search. These imprints were compared to the fingerprints of the subject under investigation. Four of them were matched to the index finger, two with the middle finger and one with the ring finger, all from the left hand. These fingerprints were also entered into the Spanish Automated Fingerprint Identification System, resulting in a match to the individual under investigation by the Judicial Police Group.