Why are charts created during the fingerprint examination process?

Charts are created during the fingerprint examination process primarily to demonstrate how an examiner arrived at a conclusion. They serve as a detailed visual representation of the comparisons made between the latent prints and known prints, showcasing the observed similarities and differences. This documentation is critical for maintaining transparency in the examination process, allowing others to understand the rationale behind the examiner's decision. Charts can illustrate features such as ridge patterns, minutiae, and any relevant characteristics that were considered during the analysis.

This practice helps in validating the examiner's findings and supports the reliability of the conclusions drawn. Additionally, in case of a dispute or challenge, these charts can provide a clear and methodical account of the examination process, thus enhancing the credibility of the examiner’s expertise and conclusions.