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Considering fingerprint analysis is pseudoscience and almost entirely made up (along with most other "forensic science") [1] [2] we can assume LOTS AND LOTS of

Considering fingerprint analysis is pseudoscience and almost entirely made up (along with most other "forensic science") [1] [2] we can assume LOTS AND LOTS of innocent people are caught with "fingerprint data" [1] http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?recordid=12589 http://www8.nationalacademies.org/onpinews/newsitem.aspx?rec... [2] https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12589/strengthening-forensic-science-in-the-united-states-a-path-forward https://www.nap.edu/catalog/12589/strengthening-forensic-sci... >"There is some evidence that fingerprints are unique to each person, and it is plausible that careful analysis could accurately discern whether two prints have a common source, the report says. However, claims that these analyses have zero-error rates are not plausible; uniqueness does not guarantee that two individuals' prints are always sufficiently different that they could not be confused, for example. Studies should accumulate data on how much a person's fingerprints vary from impression to impression, as well as the degree to which fingerprints vary across a population. With this kind of research, examiners could begin to attach confidence limits to conclusions about whether a print is linked to a particular person."

sodosopa 7y ago
I would still want to look at the rate. Is it 1 of 10 or 1 in a million? At what number are we comfortable for our safety?
- wtetzner 7y ago
  How would you know? If an innocent person is convicted, then they’re assumed to be guilty.
  - rrauenza 7y ago
    Or even more common, a plea bargain recommended by their public defender.
navigatesol 7y ago
>Considering fingerprint analysis is pseudoscience and almost entirely made up Quite the stretch to go from "non-zero-error rates" to "made up pseudoscience" isn't it? It's a problem if people are being convicted on fingerprint analysis alone. But as a piece of the puzzle, when combined with other evidence, what is the issue?
refurb 7y ago
However, claims that these analyses have zero-error rates are not plausible That's an odd criticism since nothing has a zero error rate. DNA analysis has a non-zero error rate and we routinely rely on it.

sodosopa 7y ago

I would still want to look at the rate. Is it 1 of 10 or 1 in a million? At what number are we comfortable for our safety?

wtetzner 7y ago
How would you know? If an innocent person is convicted, then they’re assumed to be guilty.
- rrauenza 7y ago
  Or even more common, a plea bargain recommended by their public defender.

navigatesol 7y ago

>Considering fingerprint analysis is pseudoscience and almost entirely made up Quite the stretch to go from "non-zero-error rates" to "made up pseudoscience" isn't it? It's a problem if people are being convicted on fingerprint analysis alone. But as a piece of the puzzle, when combined with other evidence, what is the issue?

refurb 7y ago

However, claims that these analyses have zero-error rates are not plausible That's an odd criticism since nothing has a zero error rate. DNA analysis has a non-zero error rate and we routinely rely on it.