A content analysis of fingerprint literature for educational curricula

• NCJ Number: 305859
• Journal: Science & Justice Volume: 50 Issue: 3 Dated: 2010 Pages: 123-126
• Author(s): Max M.Houck; Jessica Boyle
• Date Published: 2010
• Length: 4 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2003-RC-CX-K001; 2001-RC-CX-K003
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Award: Forensic Science Initiative 2003; Forensic ID Training and Research Resources at WVU

Annotation

This article reports on a content analysis of nine major books on fingerprints for the purpose of organizing course content on the scientific foundations of fingerprint analysis as a forensic science.

Abstract

Forensic science is being required to justify and elucidate its scientific foundations. One way of doing this is through academic curricula. For many native forensic sciences, these curricula do not exist. A content analysis of nine major books in fingerprints was conducted to develop a structure for curricula in that field. The results of this study can be used to organize course content and serve as a model for other disciplines with published materials but no coherent or standard curricula. (Published Abstract Provided)