Opinion ID: 2222257
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Misrepresentation of Testimony on Fingerprint Analysis

Text: Roman Nose further contends that the prosecutor blatantly misrepresented the expert's testimony concerning the location of Roman Nose's fingerprint when the prosecutor stated in closing arguments that the fingerprint was found only after the paper was unraveled. A review of the record indicates that the fingerprint expert was asked on direct examination whether the latent fingerprint was revealed only after he pulled apart the folds of the crumpled up piece of paper. He responded that it was, and then went on to say that there were multiple layers of paper and that he could not conclusively say which layer the print was on. Based on that testimony, the prosecutor argued that the fingerprint was discovered only after the paper was unraveled because the print was made before the paper was crumpled up. The prosecutor's argument is a plausible theory that is based on the evidence availableevidence which the jury was free to accept or reject. Therefore, we hold that the prosecutor's remarks do not constitute misconduct.