La Falta de un estándar metodológico en Ecuador para identificar rastros lofoscópicos falsificados levantados en las escenas del delito

INTRODUCTION. The Ecuadorian forensic system employs the ACE-V method for fingerprint analysis; however, it lacks a standardized protocol to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit prints, thereby compromising the integrity of the evidence. OBJECTIVE. To assess the effectiveness of traditional fingerprint analysis methods in detecting counterfeit impressions and to propose the incorporation of complementary instrumental techniques. METHOD. Counterfeit fingerprints were simulated using dental plaster, chromatic alginate, and vegetable grease. The replicas were developed using black volcanic powder and evaluated under single-blind conditions by a certified fingerprint expert. RESULTS. The analysis revealed that in 80% of the cases, the expert failed to detect signs of forgery. Furthermore, 70% of the replicas met the minimum threshold of 12 matching minutiae points required for positive identification, with physical methods unable to distinguish between biological residues and synthetic compounds. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. These findings highlight the high vulnerability of the forensic system to fingerprint forgeries and underscore the urgent need to adopt advanced instrumental techniques (e.g., spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and artificial intelligence) and to implement a national methodological protocol that ensures objectivity and legal reliability in criminal proceedings.