Emotional Experiences and Motivating Factors Associated with Fingerprint Analysis

• Published in: Journal of forensic sciences Vol. 55; no. 2; pp. 385 - 393
• Main Authors: Charlton, David, Fraser-Mackenzie, Peter A.F., Dror, Itiel E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2010; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Decision making; Dermatoglyphics; emotion; Emotions; expertise; Fingerprinting; Forensic Medicine; forensic science; Forensic sciences; Humans; Interviews as Topic; Job Satisfaction; Law Enforcement; Motivation; need for closure; Professional Competence; qualitative; satisfaction; thematic analysis
• ISSN: 0022-1198; 1556-4029
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2009.01295.x

:  In this study, we investigated the emotional and motivational factors involved in fingerprint analysis in day‐to‐day routine case work and in significant and harrowing criminal investigations. Thematic analysis was performed on interviews with 13 experienced fingerprint examiners from a variety of law enforcement agencies. The data revealed factors relating to job satisfaction and the use of skill. Individual satisfaction related to catching criminals was observed; this was most notable in solving high profile, serious, or long‐running cases. There were positive emotional effects associated with matching fingerprints and apparent fear of making errors. Finally, we found evidence for a need of cognitive closure in fingerprint examiner decision‐making.