Adobe Photoshop for Demonstrating Latent Print Uniqueness

• NCJ Number: 202990
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 56 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2003 Pages: 707-721
• Author(s): Kasey Wertheim
• Date Published: November 2003
• Length: 15 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: This paper was presented at the 88th educational conference of the International Association for Identification held in Ottawa, Canada, July 6-11, 2003.

Annotation

This article disusses using Adobe Photoshop software in order to demonstrate latent print uniqueness in court testimonies.

Abstract

Latent print examiners have traditionally presented identification testimony in court along with an explanation of the identification process. Adobe Photoshop software may now be used in order to demonstrate latent print uniqueness. After describing some of the features of Photoshop, the article contends that a large percentage of the program’s capabilities are not applicable to latent print examination. There are several features of this software, however, that allow an examiner to demonstrate the unique image detail that was considered when investigators followed the analysis, comparison, and evaluation process. A demonstration works most effectively when latent prints are placed side-by-side. The article describes the features of Adobe Photoshop, step-by-step, in order to illustrate the ways in which this software reveals latent print uniqueness. The author states that the possibilities for future Photoshop presentations of demonstrative forensic evidence in court are vast. 5 Figures, 3 references