Just Identifying Fingerprints Through Photographs_2020 Case Studies_147

In episode six of the Case Studies season, Just Science sat down with Karen Oswald, Senior Evidence Specialist with the Suffolk County Police Department in New York, to discuss methods for identifying fingers and hands captured in evidentiary photos. As cellphone and camera technologies continue to improve, so does the quality of the images they produce. Most people today carry smartphones at all times, therefore more criminals are incriminating themselves with the photos they take. While investigating a case, Karen Oswald saw an opportunity to use pictures from a suspect’s cell phone as a tool for identifying his hands and proving his guilt. Listen along as she discusses techniques for identifying prints captured in evidentiary photos and the challenges associated with the process in this episode of Just Science. Some content in this podcast may be considered sensitive and may evoke emotional responses, or may not be appropriate for younger audiences. This season is funded by the National Institute of Justice’s Forensic Technology Center of Excellence.