Prince George's County Reviewing Over 100 Cases After Latent Print Examiner Errors

Supervisors in the Prince George’s County Police Department Latent Print Unit flagged two cases with incomplete comparisons and potentially valuable fingerprint impressions on Dec. 2, 2025, prompting an internal audit and a countywide review that officials say now covers more than 100 criminal cases. The county issued an official statement on March 5, 2026, detailing the review and the steps being taken to notify prosecutors and defense counsel.

The audit identified inconsistencies limited to a single forensic latent print examiner whose casework spanned roughly 300 matters between June 2021 and May 2025. County leaders and police officials have not published the examiner’s name or a full list of affected files; officials also have not explained how the roughly 300-case span relates to the “more than 100” criminal cases now under review.

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Chief George Nader notified the State’s Attorney’s Office and coordinated with the County Office of Law as the review expanded. The county press release said disclosures to defense counsel in pending cases have already begun and that disclosures “will be made in all charged cases in which the forensic latent print examiner conducted fingerprint analysis.”

Chief George Nader instituted a new policy requiring peer review at all stages of latent print casework, a procedural change the department characterized as going beyond standard industry practice. County officials presented the peer-review requirement as an immediate internal reform intended to prevent future oversights across the Latent Print Unit.

Law enforcement sources cited to local reporting raised an additional operational concern: because certain impressions were never processed or claimed, “potential additional suspects may have gone unidentified.” Those same sources told reporters the forensic examiner in question is out on leave; the county statement did not disclose the examiner’s personnel status.

County Executive Braveboy framed the effort to recheck casework as essential to public confidence, saying, “Accuracy and accountability in forensic work are essential to maintaining public trust. Our residents deserve a justice system that is both fair and reliable.” County officials said they will continue reviewing affected cases and provide updates as additional information becomes available.

Local news organizations have reached out to defense attorneys for reaction and indicated further updates are expected as disclosures proceed and prosecutors review the files. For now, the State’s Attorney’s Office has been formally notified and the county’s review remains active while police and legal teams determine next steps for any cases that require further action.