Ear print analysis

[2] Fritz Hirschi was the first to identify a criminal using this method, in Switzerland in 1965[3] and ear print analysis has also been successfully used to solve crimes in the UK and the Netherlands.

[4] In addition to identification, the height of an ear imprint at a crime scene may also provide investigators with information regarding the stature of the perpetrator.

[2] The research project was sponsored by the European Union to study the effectiveness of ear prints to be used as evidence in criminal investigations.

[6] The European Commission is currently trying to create a database that will set the worldwide standard for ear print analysis.

The project was sponsored by the European Union and was composed of nine institutes from the United Kingdom, Italy and Netherlands.

Analysis of the ear print included details such as shape, size, Darwinian tubercles, creases, moles, piercings and scars.

[6] The methodology used in the FearID project where donors press their ear against a glass plate to depict the print at the scene is not valid to use for forensic investigations today.

[11] Ear print analysis is not used as a valid and reliable method for identification due to its lack of scientific research.

Present day forensic analysis commonly uses DNA testing methods as it is more reliable and valid in court.

Due to improvements in technology, the future of ear print analysis to be used widely in criminal investigations is possible.