Expert witnessWisconsin State Crime Laboratory (Madison)

Michael Riddle

Crime-lab fingerprint examiner who compared prints recovered from Teresa Halbach's RAV4.

351 lines·16 proceedings·7 mentions·2 trials

About

Michael Riddle, a State Crime Lab fingerprint examiner, testified about processing Teresa Halbach’s RAV4 and comparing marks found on it. He found vehicle print areas suitable for comparison but did not identify Avery from them; in Dassey’s trial, he reported no match to Dassey among the vehicle prints he compared. A hand-shaped mark on the tire cover lacked the ridge detail needed for comparison, while Riddle identified a print from a submitted headboard as Avery’s. He also described limits on the examinations: some items had not been submitted to him, some known fingerprint standards were unavailable for comparison, and DNA swabbing could affect print recovery. He cautioned that missing prints did not establish that a person had been absent from the vehicle.

Trial Record (16)

AverySteven AveryFeb 12, 2007 – Mar 18, 2007Called by prosecution

Michael Riddle testified as a crime-lab fingerprint examiner in Steven Avery's 2007 trial. He described processing Halbach's RAV4 and finding usable print areas, but none identified Avery; cross-examination addressed unmade comparisons and items he had not received for testing.

Day 10

Feb 23, 2007

CrossRonald L. Groffy — CrossRonald L. GroffyJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Groffy described limits on his RAV4 testing, clarified photograph timing and fingerprint markings, and testified about the driver's-seat fit. The court admitted the vehicle photographs.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 11

Feb 26, 2007

CrossSherry Culhane — CrossSherry CulhaneJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting challenged the limits of Culhane's DNA conclusions and her bullet-fragment result, focusing on a contaminated control, a protocol deviation, and its omission from her final report.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 12

Feb 27, 2007

CrossNick Stahlke — CrossNick StahlkeDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Strang tested the limits of Stahlke's RAV4 bloodstain analysis, including blood quantity, possible cleanup, absent stains on vehicle controls, and what the cargo-area patterns could establish.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 18

Mar 7, 2007

DirectMichael Riddle — DirectMichael RiddleThomas J. Fallon128lines spoken

Summary

Riddle described RAV4 fingerprint processing, a qualified headboard identification, and the lack of identifiable prints from the vehicle and blood-vial evidence.

CrossMichael Riddle — CrossMichael RiddleJerome F. Buting33lines spoken

Summary

Riddle said he did not receive the rifle, cartridges or shell cases, or Toyota key for fingerprint examination, then identified a copy of his report on a letter.

CrossMichael Riddle — Cross-Examination ResumedMichael RiddleJerome F. Buting67lines spoken

Summary

Riddle described usable RAV4 prints that did not match Avery, unmade comparisons with two officers' standards, and the expected presence of Avery's print on a headboard.

RedirectMichael Riddle — RedirectMichael RiddleThomas J. Fallon6lines spoken

Summary

Riddle explained the need for a known fingerprint standard and the effect of DNA swabbing on print recovery.

RecrossMichael Riddle — RecrossMichael RiddleJerome F. Buting12lines spoken

Summary

Riddle said unswabbed rifle areas might have been suitable for fingerprint examination; the court admitted Exhibits 497 and 498.

CrossMark Wiegert — CrossMark WiegertDean A. StrangMentioned

Summary

Wiegert addressed investigative leads, two Avery-property searches, and the blood vial; the State then announced it was resting subject to exhibit matters.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

Day 23

Mar 14, 2007

ClosingState’s Closing Argument by Kenneth KratzKenneth R. KratzMentioned

Summary

Kratz began the State's closing with the RAV4, blood and DNA evidence, and burned electronics; an objection led the court to remind jurors that argument is not fact.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

ClosingDefense Closing Argument by Jerome ButingJerome F. ButingMentioned

Summary

Buting advances the defense's framing theory and challenges the burn-site, RAV4, and trailer evidence while emphasizing the State's burden of proof.

Mentioned in this proceeding.

DasseyBrendan DasseyApr 16, 2007 – Apr 25, 2007Called by defense

Michael Riddle testified as a fingerprint examiner in Brendan Dassey's 2007 trial, reporting no match to Dassey among the RAV4 prints he compared. His Day 7 testimony also addressed why an apparent handprint could not be compared and why missing fingerprints did not establish that a person had been absent.

Day 7

Apr 23, 2007

DirectMichael Riddle — DirectMichael RiddleMark R. Fremgen70lines spoken

Summary

Fingerprint examiner Michael Riddle found no match to Brendan Dassey among the RAV4 prints he compared, identified a headboard print as Steven Avery's, and described items he did not examine.

CrossMichael Riddle — CrossMichael RiddleNorman A. Gahn26lines spoken

Summary

Riddle explained why shell casings may yield no comparable prints and agreed that finding no Steven Avery fingerprints in the RAV4 did not establish his absence.

RedirectMichael Riddle — RedirectMichael RiddleMark R. Fremgen8lines spoken

Summary

Riddle confirmed no match to Dassey's known print on three vehicle items and said he had not examined the handcuffs shown to him.

RecrossMichael Riddle — RecrossMichael RiddleNorman A. Gahn1line spoken

Summary

Riddle confirmed that fingerprints can be removed from an item; the defense had no more witnesses that afternoon.

Day 9

Apr 25, 2007

RebuttalProsecution rebuttal closing argument by Thomas J. FallonThomas J. FallonMentioned

Summary

Fallon rebutted challenges to Dassey's statements and the forensic gaps, played part of the March 1 interview, and requested guilty verdicts.

Mentioned in this proceeding.