Quantitative Research Vs. Qualitative Research

Exercise 2 Latent Print Development Introduction The purpose of this lab was to introduce the method of latent print development using fingerprint dusting powders and practice those techniques. When latent fingerprints are found at a crime scene, they are developed and documented by a crime scene technician and analyzed by a trained latent fingerprint examiner. Fingerprints can be classified into three general patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. Fingerprints are patterns of friction skin ridges which consist of veins, capillaries, and sweat glands.

QUALATATIVE RESEARCH (about attitudes and beleifs), QUANTATIVE RESEARCH (measured in figures that can be measured)

Quantitative and qualitative research generates from two different perspectives, and it provide different types of crucial information from the research subject. Qualitative research corresponds more with comprehensive and thorough descriptions of events, whereas quantitative research creates statistical models to explain events. Several advantages and disadvantages in qualitative and quantitative research, depends upon the researcher's purpose and area of focus and information that will answer those research questions (Creswell, (2013).

Bertillonage was a process of recording criminal’s body measurements to keep on file with photographs and other detailed information. This became vastly popular until fingerprinting was recognized as a more effective method. Once this was discovered he incorporated fingerprints for only the right hand in his processing. One obstacle that proved to be a problem with Bertillonage

Fingerprints can be taken from a crime scene in various methods. Fingerprints are classified into three categories depending on the surface they are found. Fingerprints on soft surfaces are most likely to be three-dimensional plastic prints such as soap, wax, wet paint, fresh caulk, etc. (“A Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis”, n.d). The fingerprints on hard surfaces are patent or latent prints including blood, dirt, ink, paint, etc. transferred from a finger or thumb to a surface (“A Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis”, n.d). Patent prints can be collected using photography. The prints are photographed in high resolution with a forensic measurement scale for the image for reference. There are multiple methods for discovering and collecting latent prints. Alternate Light Source (ALS) use

According to Kothari (2008) qualitative research is concerned with qualitative phenomena which are related to or involve quality or kind. Qualitative research engages the collection and analysis of non-numerical data obtained from experiments, interviews, observations, and other resources involving statements and arguments. Research is conducted into particular context and non-numerical interpretive approach is used to produce narrative description of research data. Unlike quantitative research, this type of research considers the underlying facts behind the establishment of particular behaviors and assumptions. It is commonly used in behavioural sciences where the aim of research is to discover underlying motives of human behaviour.

"Hi. We're doing a study for the State Department of Justice. We're researching the requirements to implement a new fingerprint

For this assignment, I chose to research Alec Jeffreys. He is a renowned geneticist credible for the techniques used in modern DNA profiling. These processes are vital to a career in law enforcement and what will hopefully be my future career in forensics, “[M]any lawyers see the technique as ‘the prosecution’s dream and the defense’s nightmare”(The Cambridge Dictionary of Scientists). With the ability to prove a person’s innocence or guilt through admission of their own DNA is compelling, if not the most compelling, form of evidence available to law enforcement. To properly format these findings as to avoid the damnation of the innocent and ensure that justice is efficiently executed is duty of utmost importance.

A new and rapidly advancing technology of DNA fingerprinting is not all the title entitles it to be. Many individuals would assume that DNA fingerprinting is the situation in which criminals or convicted individuals have their fingerprints recorded to keep them on file. However, this is not the case. DNA fingerprinting is when DNA evidence is taken from a person and matched to the DNA found on the crime scene or other suspected location. DNA fingerprinting doesn’t concern actual fingerprinting at all. In fact,

Qualitative and quantitative researches are the two basic research categories which are used in psychology, with both these type of research having advantages and best limitations to their use in researching.

The human fingerprint is fascinating; it is impossible to have two fingerprints that are identical to one another. Although it was realized early on that every person’s fingerprint is unique, the “science” of fingerprinting analysis did not really start until the 1800s (Staff, 2014, p. 1). Dr. Henry Faulds was credited with devising a method for obtaining fingerprints with the use of printer ink (German, 2016, p. 1). However, the identification and fingerprint cards did not become a reality until the early 1900s. It became popular when more and more groups and agencies began to see the value of fingerprinting. In 1946, it is shown that the FBI was in possession of 100 million fingerprint cards, which were all maintained in manual files (German, 2016, p. 1).

Every time somebody touches something, they leave behind a unique signature that forever links them to that object. This link is their fingerprints, which are unique to every person, for no two people have the same set, not even family members or identical twins. Palms and toes also leave prints behind, but these are far less commonly found during crime scene investigations. Therefore, fingerprints provide an identification process that is applicable to background checks, biometric security, mass disaster identification, and most importantly, crime scene investigations. Fingerprints are so differentiated because they are made up of distinct patterns of ridges and furrows on the fingers. The ridges are the “raised” portions of the prints, and the furrows are the “recessed” portions. This perceived uniqueness has led some people to falsely accept fingerprint analysis as absolute scientific fact. Although overall fingerprints are reliable, there are definitely situations where their accuracy can come into question.

Research questions are formulated in a study to inquire about variables, both independent and dependent variables, and the relationship between them. Research questions are categorized into two, that is, qualitative and quantitative research questions. Qualitative questions are used in qualitative research like case studies, surveys and action research where the approach is non-numerical and analyses special phenomena that occur in nature. Quantitative research on the other hand is more of a systematic approach with measurable numerical quantities that go through analysis to prove a hypothesis. Finally, the research hypothesis is either approved or disapproved with regards to the results of the analysis (Laureate Online Education B.V.

McDougall, Liam. “How much more evidence is needed for a public inquiry? SHIRLEY McKIE: US fingerprint expert: murder evidence fabricated, testimony perjured ; UK fingerprint expert: evidence more likely to be fabricated than incompetent: [Final Edition].” Sunday Herald [Glasgow, UK], 19 Feb. 2006. ProQuest Newsstand, search.proquest.com/news/docview/331281486/4DF56AD20C7C44EBPQ/12?accountid=15011. Accessed 3 Mar. 2017.

It is common for researchers to compare qualitative and quantitative research methods. Quantitative methods originate from positivist and post- positivist research paradigms. Also, the methods objectively examine statistical data to determine cause and affect and often use generalizable data. There are various methods used in quantitative research such as surveys,