Forensic examination of the hand

Abstract

AbstractUsing anatomical feature comparison to consider potential matches from hand images to identify or eliminate suspects in an investigation, commonly relating to those involved in the production of images of child sexual abuse, is an emerging forensic methodology that has become increasingly utilized by police forces within the United Kingdom. This article gives an overview of the development of a process that is based on an understanding of anatomical variation and shows how new approaches can be introduced to forensic investigations. It describes the rationale that led to the development of the investigative methodology within the United Kingdom, and how it is implemented to ensure that comparisons and the subsequent reports are both methodologically sound and admissible in any of the courts within the UK legal jurisdictions.