What can a fingerprint found at a crime scene definitively do?

A fingerprint found at a crime scene can be definitively used to trace the owner as present at the scene. When a fingerprint is collected from a location, it can be compared to the known fingerprints of individuals. If there is a match to a specific individual’s fingerprint, it strongly indicates that this person was present at that location. This is because fingerprints are unique to each individual, making them an effective tool for linking suspects to crime scenes.

While fingerprints can play a role in establishing timelines or suggesting someone's presence, they do not provide information about innocence, as unless exclusionary evidence exists, they simply establish presence. Identical twins may have very similar fingerprints, making it difficult to distinguish between them using only this method. Therefore, the best and most definitive use of a fingerprint at a crime scene is to show that the individual was physically present at that location.