❓ A WA parliamentary question seeks clarification on fingerprint evidence related to the Arthur Greer trial and the Sharon Mason murder case, specifically regarding the comparison of a fingerprint found on masking tape with other persons of interest and existing fingerprint files. The response clarifies the location of the evidence and confirms that comparisons were made and the print is in a national database.
AnsweredQoN 641Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to Question No. 413, asked by me on Wednesday, November 27 2002 regarding forensic evidence in the trial of Arthur Greer -
(1) Was a fingerprint found on masking tape attached to a sheet of clear plastic located in the area where the lower remains, identified as those of Sharon Mason, were found?
(2) Was evidence given at the trial of Arthur Greer on August 3 1993 by Mr Sheridan that the fingerprint on the masking tape was compared with the fingerprint of Arthur Greer and that it was not identical?
(3) Was the fingerprint on the masking tape compared with the fingerprints of other persons of interest in the investigation?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Was a search of existing fingerprint files undertaken to attempt to find a match with the crime scene fingerprint?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Under what future circumstances might the crime scene fingerprint be compared with fingerprints of other persons who might be implicated in the death of Sharon Mason?
(1) Was a fingerprint found on masking tape attached to a sheet of clear plastic located in the area where the lower remains, identified as those of Sharon Mason, were found?
(2) Was evidence given at the trial of Arthur Greer on August 3 1993 by Mr Sheridan that the fingerprint on the masking tape was compared with the fingerprint of Arthur Greer and that it was not identical?
(3) Was the fingerprint on the masking tape compared with the fingerprints of other persons of interest in the investigation?
(4) If not, why not?
(5) Was a search of existing fingerprint files undertaken to attempt to find a match with the crime scene fingerprint?
(6) If not, why not?
(7) Under what future circumstances might the crime scene fingerprint be compared with fingerprints of other persons who might be implicated in the death of Sharon Mason?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
7 May 2003
Responded by
Minister for Racing and Gaming representing the Minister for Police and Emergency Services
Response time
33 days
The “fingerprint” referred to in this question is an area of ‘ridge detail’, which may possibly be a partial fingerprint, palm print or footprint. 1. No. The lower remains of Sharon Mason and the masking tape upon which the fingerprint was found were not located in the same setting. 2. Yes. 3. Yes. 4. N/A 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. The area of ridge detail has been registered on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) ‘Unsolved Latent Database’. Potentially the print could be identified if a previously unknown person’s fingerprints, palm prints or footprints were provided for comparison, or registered on NAFIS.
1. No. The lower remains of Sharon Mason and the masking tape upon which the fingerprint was found were not located in the same setting. 2. Yes. 3. Yes. 4. N/A 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. The area of ridge detail has been registered on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) ‘Unsolved Latent Database’. Potentially the print could be identified if a previously unknown person’s fingerprints, palm prints or footprints were provided for comparison, or registered on NAFIS.
2. Yes. 3. Yes. 4. N/A 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. The area of ridge detail has been registered on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) ‘Unsolved Latent Database’. Potentially the print could be identified if a previously unknown person’s fingerprints, palm prints or footprints were provided for comparison, or registered on NAFIS.
1. No. The lower remains of Sharon Mason and the masking tape upon which the fingerprint was found were not located in the same setting. 2. Yes. 3. Yes. 4. N/A 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. The area of ridge detail has been registered on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) ‘Unsolved Latent Database’. Potentially the print could be identified if a previously unknown person’s fingerprints, palm prints or footprints were provided for comparison, or registered on NAFIS.
2. Yes. 3. Yes. 4. N/A 5. Yes 6. N/A 7. The area of ridge detail has been registered on the National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) ‘Unsolved Latent Database’. Potentially the print could be identified if a previously unknown person’s fingerprints, palm prints or footprints were provided for comparison, or registered on NAFIS.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.