Police Dispatcher Practice Test

What is the purpose of collecting fingerprints as indicated by "one roll" in police work?

1. To identify witnesses

2. To confirm identity of the suspect

3. To create a crime scene record

4. To verify alibis

The correct answer is: To confirm identity of the suspect

The purpose of collecting fingerprints during police work, often referred to as "one roll," primarily serves to confirm the identity of a suspect. Fingerprinting is a reliable and established method for establishing a person's identity based on the unique patterns of ridges and furrows in an individual's fingerprints. This process is crucial in criminal investigations, as it allows law enforcement officials to link a suspect directly to a crime scene or to previously recorded data in criminal databases. When law enforcement takes a fingerprint roll, they are capturing a complete set of an individual's prints, which can then be matched against existing records. This method is pivotal in identifying individuals who may have denied involvement or provided false identities. It's particularly useful because it provides tangible, biometrical evidence that can corroborate or refute claims made by suspects during an investigation. This precision in identification helps to uphold the integrity of the criminal justice process and supports the legal system in its efforts to ensure that the right individuals are held accountable for their actions.