What is the most common method for identifying criminal suspects?

Fingerprints are the most common method for identifying criminal suspects due to their uniqueness and permanence. Each individual has a distinct set of fingerprint patterns that remain unchanged throughout their life, making fingerprints a reliable means of identification. Law enforcement agencies routinely utilize fingerprint databases to match prints found at crime scenes with those of known individuals, making it a widely accepted and established practice in criminal investigations.

While DNA analysis is a powerful tool for identification, it is more time-consuming and expensive compared to fingerprinting. Moreover, obtaining a DNA sample is not always feasible in every situation. Witness testimony, while important in investigations, can be subjective and variable in reliability, depending on the witness's perception and memory. Behavioral profiling is a more complex and less standardized approach, often used in specific scenarios rather than as a primary identification method. Thus, fingerprints remain the predominant and most straightforward method for suspect identification in law enforcement.