Admissibility of Fingerprints Law and Legal Definition
Generally, fingerprints found at the scene of a crime are admissible to identify the accused as guilty. Fingerprints are admissible to prove the identity of the defendant as being the same person previously convicted of other crimes, for purposes of enhanced sentencing under habitual offender statutes.
Fingerprint evidence is circumstantial evidence which attempts to connect the defendant to the offense alleged. In order to sustain a conviction solely on fingerprint evidence, fingerprints corresponding to the fingerprints of the defendant must have been found in the immediate vicinity of the crime under such circumstances as to establish beyond a reasonable doubt that the fingerprints were impressed at the time the crime was committed. [In re J. W., 100 Ill. App. 3d 41 (Ill. App. Ct. 3d Dist. 1981)]
Legal Definition list
- Admissibility of Extrajudicial Confessions
- Admissibility of Confessions Recorded by Electronic Means
- Admissibility of Blood Tests
- Admiralty Jurisdiction
- Admiralty Extension Act of 1948 [AEA]
- Admissibility of Fingerprints
- Admissibility of Judicial Confessions
- Admissibility of Oral and Written Confessions
- Admissibility of Palm Prints and Bare Footprints
- Admissibility of Unsigned Confessions
- Admissible
