And critics say there's never been a scientific test to prove that you can reliably make a match with these partial prints. Fingerprint Analysis Questioned Experts believe this method of crime analysis has not been properly scrutinized that scientists are starting to question law enforcement's methods. One case that is making experts ask questions is that of Riky Jackson, who was convicted of murder in Pennsylvania in 1998 based solely on fingerprint evidence. He was released when the Federal Bureau of Investigation figured out the prints were not his. All I knew is that the fingerprints in question were not mine.
Critics say there are no set standards among fingerprint examiners as to what qualifies as a match.
They also point out that the qualifications required to become a fingerprint examiner vary widely at different law enforcement agencies. Defenders say fingerprint evidence has been used with a high level of success for nearly a century. But no matter how careful investigators may be, mistakes still happen. Harry Giaodano of the Philadelphia police. ABC News Internet Ventures.