Opinion ID: 778714
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: expert testimony regarding fingerprint analysis

Text: 17 Hernandez also argues that the district court erred in allowing Robert Citta's expert testimony that a latent fingerprint found on a battery confiscated as evidence matched that of Hernandez. We review for abuse of discretion a court's decision to admit expert testimony. United States v. Larry Reed & Sons P'ship, 280 F.3d 1212, 1215 (8th Cir.2002). Expert scientific testimony is generally admissible when it is reliable and will assist the trier of fact. Daubert v. Merrell Dow Pharm., Inc., 509 U.S. 579, 592-93, 113 S.Ct. 2786, 125 L.Ed.2d 469 (1993); Larry Reed & Sons P'ship, 280 F.3d at 1215 (citing Federal Rule of Evidence 702). The Supreme Court has indicated that various factors bear on a trial court's decisions as to admissibility of such expert testimony. Daubert, 509 U.S. at 593-94. Those factors include, whether a theory or technique can be and has been tested, whether it has been subjected to peer review and publication, the known or potential rate of error and existence and maintenance of standards controlling the technique or theory's operation, and whether the technique or theory has been generally accepted within a relevant scientific community. Id. 18 Hernandez, citing United States v. Llera Plaza, Nos. CR. 98-362-10, CR. 98-362-11, CR. 98-362-12, 2002 WL 27305, at  (E.D.Pa. Jan.7, 2002), 179 F.Supp.2d 492, vacated, withdrawn from publication, and superseded on reconsideration by 188 F.Supp.2d 549 (E.D.Pa.2002), contends that no evidence was presented that satisfied Daubert's peer review factor. In Llera Plaza, the district court initially determined that, because fingerprint identification does not satisfy Daubert, expert witnesses [would] not be permitted to ... present `evaluation' testimony as to their `opinion' (Rule 702) that a particular latent print is in fact the print of a particular person. 2002 WL 27305, at . However, the court shortly thereafter vacated that decision and chose another course. Llera Plaza, 188 F.Supp.2d at 575-76. In its latter decision, the court concluded expert testimony regarding fingerprint evidence should, subject to sufficient trial court oversight, be regarded as satisfying Daubert and Kumho Tire Co. v. Carmichael, 526 U.S. 137, 119 S.Ct. 1167, 143 L.Ed.2d 238 (1999). 19 Moreover, given the posture of the testimony in this particular case and the overall record, the expert testimony was not determinative to the outcome. We therefore find the court did not abuse its discretion in admitting Citta's testimony.