Fingerprinting Scientific Method
The Scientific Method in Relation to Fingerprinting Although no one scientist is recognized as the inventor of the scientific method, its use in the scientific community believes to date back to 384-322 B.C. During this time, Aristotle recognized the importance of deriving reliable knowledge based on observation. As time progressed to the 1200s, Roger Bacon acknowledged the significance of the repeating cycle of observation, hypothesis, experimentation and verification, a scientific method that was implemented in the works of Galileo from 1564-1642. Originally deemed the experimental method until renamed in the 19th century, the scientific method was revolutionized during the 1600s by Francis Bacon and Descartes with their influences to
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the theory. Today, many philosophers, scientists, psychologists, and others have contributed to the development of the modern day scientific method. (Edmund, 1997)
The scientific method is described as the observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion (Holder, Robinson, & Laub, 2012). In general, the purpose of the scientific method is a means to study the world around us and how things work. In this process, patterns are identified and perceived answers are tested. These theories and concepts are open to modification or reevaluation if new data is presented. Ultimately, when applying the scientific method, repeatability of results is essential, so if the results cannot be duplicated, no rule or pattern can be established for why things happened the way they did.
The scientific method as it applies to the comparison and identification of friction ridge skin is often categorized as the analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification (ACE-V) methodology and includes the perception, information-gathering, comparison, and decision-making that takes place during an examination of fingerprints (Holder, Robinson, & Laub, 2012).
Although the theory that individualization resides in one’s friction ridge skin is reliant upon the fundamental belief that the friction ridge detail is unique, even down to the single ridge unit, this principal cam into question in the 1993 Daubert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U. S. 579, 588 case.
The importance of objectively reviewing the process used by examiners to ascertain one’s identity based solely off fingerprint evidence, particular those associated with a crime, was outlined by the United States Supreme Court ruling on Daubert Hearing standards for expert scientific testimony in which the court discussed four basic factors in regard to scientific testimony. The application of ACE-V into the friction ridge skin examination process ensures that the same information will be derived by a secondary examiner, keeping the fingerprint comparison process objective (Coppock,
2007).
the theory. Today, many philosophers, scientists, psychologists, and others have contributed to the development of the modern day scientific method. (Edmund, 1997)
The scientific method is described as the observation, hypothesis formulation, experimentation, data analysis, and conclusion (Holder, Robinson, & Laub, 2012). In general, the purpose of the scientific method is a means to study the world around us and how things work. In this process, patterns are identified and perceived answers are tested. These theories and concepts are open to modification or reevaluation if new data is presented. Ultimately, when applying the scientific method, repeatability of results is essential, so if the results cannot be duplicated, no rule or pattern can be established for why things happened the way they did.
The scientific method as it applies to the comparison and identification of friction ridge skin is often categorized as the analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification (ACE-V) methodology and includes the perception, information-gathering, comparison, and decision-making that takes place during an examination of fingerprints (Holder, Robinson, & Laub, 2012).
Although the theory that individualization resides in one’s friction ridge skin is reliant upon the fundamental belief that the friction ridge detail is unique, even down to the single ridge unit, this principal cam into question in the 1993 Daubert v. Merrill Dow Pharmaceuticals, 509 U. S. 579, 588 case.
The importance of objectively reviewing the process used by examiners to ascertain one’s identity based solely off fingerprint evidence, particular those associated with a crime, was outlined by the United States Supreme Court ruling on Daubert Hearing standards for expert scientific testimony in which the court discussed four basic factors in regard to scientific testimony. The application of ACE-V into the friction ridge skin examination process ensures that the same information will be derived by a secondary examiner, keeping the fingerprint comparison process objective (Coppock,
2007).