(1) what is the worst enemy of a criminal being prosecuted? (2) is it the answers given to police during interrogation? (3) is it the witnesses during the trial? (4) or is it the expertise of the prosecuting attorney? (5) it may surprise you that the identification of the criminal's own fingerprints may be the most important tool in the conviction of a criminal.1

(6) the fingerprints of one person may be distinguished from those of anyone else in the world. (7) when a set of fingerprints is sent to a crime laboratory for identification. (8) the general pattern of the prints is verified first. (9) the unique combination of the loops, arches, and whorls determine the shape of the ridges on a person's fingertips. (10)the particular shape is then checked to see if there is a match with any set of prints on file with the authorities.2

(11)if a match is found, further matching is done by an expert to declare an exact match. (12) examination of the peculiar spacing and the number of tiny holes along the ridges of the prints determine the final proof of a match. (13) the identity of the criminal can then be established with absolute certainty.3

(14) today, even traces of fingerprints found at a crime scene may be used for identification. (15) computers and lasers can develop an entire set of prints from these small traces.4

what was the author's purpose in writing this passage?
a) to inform
b) to persuade
c) to describe
d) to entertain