In the history of high-profile mistakes — this was a humdinger. The FBI identified an Oregon attorney as the Madrid bomber and threw him in jail. The evidence? A 100 percent fingerprint match. But the FBI was 100 percent wrong — the print wasn’t Mayfield’s. Some are saying this case highlights the fallibility of fingerprint evidence. We’ve all heard that no two fingerprints are alike, but no one knows if that’s really true. Without uniform standards, critics say that fingerprint analysis is an art, not a science.
Supporters say it is the most reliable system of evidence in the world. And prosecutors still tell juries if the prints match, you’ve got your man. Tell that to Brandon Mayfield.
Guests:
Robert Epstein, a federal public defender in Philadelphia
Steven Wax, a federal public defender for the district of Oregon
Pat Wertheim, fingerprint analyst for the Arizona Department of Public Safety
Brandon Mayfield, a Portland, Oregon attorney.