Fingerprint Evidence Fingerprint evidence involves the collection, analysis, and comparison of the unique patterns found on human fingers. Because every individual has a unique set of fingerprints, they can serve as a reliable means of identification. When fingerprints are recovered from a crime scene, they can be compared to known prints in a database or from suspects to establish a match. The accuracy and reliability of fingerprint evidence have made it a fundamental tool in criminal investigations and forensic science for over a century.