HW2: CONTINUED

(exercises)

Exercise 2 of HW 2

These questions refer to the Simon Cole Suspect Identities readings; the questions call for you to use direct quotations when responding.

Answer the following questions:

1) According to the author, which had more influence in persuading courts of the reliability of fingerprint evidence, popular culture or scientific studies? 

Your answer should take the form of a paragraph with at least three pieces of evidences from the reading. 

This evidence should take the form of direct quotation of no more than 10 words (see here if you do not know how to reduce a quotation).

The necessary evidence to make this argument is scattered across the entire chapter, so do not look for a single spot in the text to "find" then answer.  Rather, you will have to combine evidence from different parts of the chapter and, obviously, you will have to have read the whole chapter.

2) How and why was it difficult for defense lawyers to challenge finger print evidence presented in court?  Your answer should take the form of a very brief paragraph organized around the familiar claim/evidence/warrant structure with evidence in the form a direct quotation(of no more than 10 words) from the text.

3) Of the two most likely candidates to police the qualifications of finger print examiners--the courts and the examiners themselves--who ended up policing the certification and quality of fingerprint examiners and why?

4) How and why did financial interests threaten, according to the IAS, the quality of finger print examinations in the 1920s?  Your answer should take the form of a very brief paragraph with evidence in the form a direct quotation (of no more than 10 words) from the text.

(END OF ASSIGNMENT)