(Supplemental opinion filed 7/15/20.) Defendant was convicted of residential burglary. State's fingerprint expert testified about an incomplete analysis of a partial print found on a portable object at the scene. Fingerprint expert's evidence lacks the specificity required to support Defendant's conviction. Confirmatory testimony in compliance with standard fingerprint procedure is essential to expert's inferential method and opinion, and this partial fingerprint was the only evidence purportedly linking Defendant to the crime. State failed to meet its burden to provide sufficient evidence from which court could draw a reasonable inference that the partial fingerprint belonged to Defendant. (GRIFFIN and WALKER, concurring; WALKER, specially concurring.)
Illinois Appellate Court
Criminal Court
Burglary