Fingerprints are still widely used in crime-fighting despite DNA testing. Fingerprints are a very reliable way to identify individuals as the chances of two people having the same fingerprints are extremely low at around 1 in 64 billion. Police forces use fingerprints found at crime scenes to identify suspects and victims. Interpol has a database of over 151,000 fingerprint records that helped identify 1,800 people in 2011. Fingerprints are easier to analyze than DNA and do not require highly trained scientists. Investigators use special powders to reveal invisible fingerprints on surfaces like metal, glass and plastic. Fingerprints can also provide clues about a suspect like their height or occupation.
Fingerprints are still widely used in crime-fighting despite DNA testing. Fingerprints are a very reliable way to identify individuals as the chances of two people having the same fingerprints are extremely low at around 1 in 64 billion. Police forces use fingerprints found at crime scenes to identify suspects and victims. Interpol has a database of over 151,000 fingerprint records that helped identify 1,800 people in 2011. Fingerprints are easier to analyze than DNA and do not require highly trained scientists. Investigators use special powders to reveal invisible fingerprints on surfaces like metal, glass and plastic. Fingerprints can also provide clues about a suspect like their height or occupation.
Fingerprints are still widely used in crime-fighting despite DNA testing. Fingerprints are a very reliable way to identify individuals as the chances of two people having the same fingerprints are extremely low at around 1 in 64 billion. Police forces use fingerprints found at crime scenes to identify suspects and victims. Interpol has a database of over 151,000 fingerprint records that helped identify 1,800 people in 2011. Fingerprints are easier to analyze than DNA and do not require highly trained scientists. Investigators use special powders to reveal invisible fingerprints on surfaces like metal, glass and plastic. Fingerprints can also provide clues about a suspect like their height or occupation.
Fingerprints are still widely used in crime-fighting despite DNA testing. Fingerprints are a very reliable way to identify individuals as the chances of two people having the same fingerprints are extremely low at around 1 in 64 billion. Police forces use fingerprints found at crime scenes to identify suspects and victims. Interpol has a database of over 151,000 fingerprint records that helped identify 1,800 people in 2011. Fingerprints are easier to analyze than DNA and do not require highly trained scientists. Investigators use special powders to reveal invisible fingerprints on surfaces like metal, glass and plastic. Fingerprints can also provide clues about a suspect like their height or occupation.
Teacher: Richard Tesillo You are going to read a text about the use of fingerprints in the fight against crime. For questions 1-4, mark the answer that fits best from options A, B, C or D
WHY FINGERPRINTS ARE STILL POINTING POLICE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION
The chances of two people in the world having the same fingerprints are around one in 64 billion, which is why fingerprints are one of the best ways that we have to confirm someone’s identity. Police forces use them to try to work out who went to a crime scene and who didn’t. The authorities also use fingerprints to identify dead victims of crime and, increasingly, to check the identities of people at border crossings. Fingerprints have been used in crime-fighting for more than 100 years. Despite the existence of a more modern way to link someone with a crime which many people think is better – DNA testing – fingerprinting is still widely used around the world. The international police organisation Interpol has a database of 151,000 fingerprint records from thousands of crime scenes, and in 2011 it was vital in identifying around 1,800 people. One advantage of fingerprints is that analysing them is a much less complex process than analysing DNA, which requires highly trained scientists. So how does an investigator find and gather fingerprints following a crime? It depends on whether or not the fingerprint is visible. Sometimes people leave fingerprints behind because there was some kind of liquid, such as blood or oil, on their hands. In this situation, a camera is the only equipment that is necessary to make a record of the print. Detectives also simply photograph fingerprints when they are in soft surfaces such as wet paint or wax, but sometimes they are able to make moulds of these prints. The majority of fingerprints, however, are invisible, and the police need to brush them with special powders to reveal them. This method is particularly effective on metal, glass, plastic and tiled surfaces. Cars are a good source of invisible fingerprints, especially the doors, door handles and seatbelt buckles. When fingerprints show up, investigators can make records of them by pressing clear tape, or some other sticky material, onto them. Even when a fingerprint database fails to match a fingerprint to an individual, the print can give the police important clues about its owner’s identity. For example, the size of a fingerprint and its position on a wall is a good indicator of height. Fingerprints can even give investigators an idea of what a suspect does for a living, or at least whether or not they work with their hands. 1 According to the text, fingerprints are being used more and more in relation to A solving difficult crimes. B identifying suspects. C international travel. D locating people around the world.
2 Why do investigators continue to use fingerprints in the age of DNA testing?
A There are more fingerprint records than DNA records in existence. B Using them requires a less complicated procedure than DNA testing. C DNA testing is not known throughout the world yet. A There are no skilled DNA analysts in the police force.
3 A police detective will use special powders to reveal fingerprints
A when they cannot be seen easily. B only when they are taken from cars. C if he/she does not have a camera. D when they are on a sticky surface.
4 What does the text say fingerprints can indicate about people? A their location during the crime B how big their hands are C what kind of life they live D how tall they are
Read the text again and mark the following statements as T (true) or F (false).
1 It is extremely unlikely for one
person to have the same fingerprints as another. ............ 2 Examining fingerprints to solve a crime started over a century ago. ............ 3 Fingerprints do not show up in a photograph. ............ 4 The police are always able to correspond a fingerprint to its owner. ............
Answer the following questions based on the text.
1 How do fingerprints help police detectives at a crime scene?
....................................................................... ....................................................................... 2 When do the police use a camera to record fingerprints? .......................................................................
