The use of fingerprint analysis to identify criminal suspects dates

Question

The use of fingerprint analysis to identify criminal suspects dates back to the late 1800s, although the theory behind the technique existed long before it was actually used in practice.  In fact, the hypothetical possibility was so intriguing to Mark Twain that he used fingerprint identification as a plot device in his quasi-memoir  Life on the Mississippi  nearly a decade before fingerprints were used to solve a crime in real life . Since then, fingerprint analysis has become a standard law enforcement technique for real and fictional detectives alike. Yet, despite its widespread use, the practice has never been subjected to rigorous scientific study, and some of the assumptions that underpin its use—such as the notion that each person has a unique set of fingerprints—may not be accurate.  The time has come for the legal community to acknowledge that fingerprint analysis is an unsubstantiated forensic science and to advocate for more research in the field.

In the argument given, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first is a detail that supports the author’s main idea, and the second raises a contrary opinion.

(B) The first is a detail that supports one opinion, and the second is a contrary opinion held by the author.

(C) The first introduces an opinion, and the second contradicts that opinion.

(D) The first is a detail that supports the author’s main idea, and the second is additional evidence for the author’s main idea.

(E) The first is a detail that supports a claim made in the argument, and the second is the author’s main point.

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BongBideshini · Answer

(A) The first is a detail that supports the author's main idea, and the second raises a contrary opinion. 
BF1 does not support the author’s main idea (which is that fingerprinting needs more scientific research). BF2 is not a contrary opinion. It is the author's own conclusion.

(B) The first is a detail that supports one opinion, and the second is a contrary opinion held by the author. 
BF1 is indeed a detail that supports a claim/opinion in the argument.
BF2 is not a contrary opinion; the author is not disagreeing with the previous opinion. BF2 is the recommendation, the absolute  Main Conclusion  of the entire passage.

(C) The first introduces an opinion, and the second contradicts that opinion. 
BF1 is not an opinion at all. It is historical evidence.
BF2 does not contradict BF1.

(D) The first is a detail that supports the author's main idea, and the second is additional evidence for the author's main idea. 
BF2 is  not evidence . It is the claim being supported by the evidence.

(E) The first is a detail that supports a claim made in the argument, and the second is the author's main point. 
 
 BF1 supports the claim that the theory existed before practical use.  
 BF2 is the author's ultimate conclusion.

Answer: E .

vasu1104 · Answer

BF 1 =  In fact, the hypothetical possibility was so intriguing to Mark Twain that he used fingerprint identification as a plot device in his quasi-memoir  Life on the Mississippi  nearly a decade before fingerprints were used to solve a crime in real life .

BF 2 =  The time has come for the legal community to acknowledge that fingerprint analysis is an unsubstantiated forensic science and to advocate for more research in the field.

conclusion =  The time has come for the legal community to acknowledge that fingerprint analysis is an unsubstantiated forensic science and to advocate for more research in the field.

first BF supports the first statement of passage.
second BF is actually authors main point and conclusion as well. he/she is asking for more research.

A first doesnt suppor the authors main idea. reject.
B second Is not contrary opinion by author but rather that's the main idea of his/her. out.
C first is not opinion. reject.
D first doesnt support main idea of author. out.
E first does support claim that is made in first statement. and second is also authors main point. this connects it properly.

choice E

MehakKaushal · Answer

The correct answer is (E).

Structure of the argument:

Author's conclusion (main point)
The final sentence is the conclusion:
"The time has come for the legal community to acknowledge that fingerprint analysis is an unsubstantiated forensic science and to advocate for more research in the field."
This is what the author wants us to believe.

First boldface
"In fact, the hypothetical possibility was so intriguing to Mark Twain that he used fingerprint identification as a plot device..."
Why is this mentioned?
Earlier the author says:
"the theory behind the technique existed long before it was actually used in practice."
The Mark Twain example is evidence illustrating that claim. It shows that the idea of fingerprint identification was being discussed even before real-world criminal use.
So the first boldface is a detail supporting a claim made in the argument, not the main conclusion.

Second boldface
"The time has come for the legal community to acknowledge that fingerprint analysis is an unsubstantiated forensic science and to advocate for more research in the field."
This is clearly the author's recommendation and therefore the main point.

Evaluate choices
(A) Second is not a contrary opinion. ❌
(B) Second is not a contrary opinion; it's the conclusion. ❌
(C) First is not an opinion, and second doesn't contradict it. ❌
(D) First does not support the main idea directly; it supports a background claim. ❌
(E) First is a detail supporting a claim made in the argument, and second is the author's main point. ✅

Answer: (E)

Bunuel · Answer

KAPLAN OFFICIAL EXPLANATION:

STEP 1: IDENTIFY THE QUESTION TYPE 
Because the question stem asks you to identify the roles of statements in boldface, this is a Bolded Statement question.

STEP 2: UNTANGLE THE STIMULUS 
The stimulus begins by providing some history about the use of fingerprint analysis and states that, over time, the technique has become a routine component of police investigations in real life and in popular culture. The key word “ et” signals an important shift: despite the widespread use of fingerprint analysis, it isn’t a well-studied science. From here, the author pivots to her recommendation that the legal community do more to encourage scientific research into the reliability of fingerprint analysis.

STEP 3: PREDICT THE ANSWER 
The first bolded statement is part of the history of fingerprint analysis presented by the author. The author uses it as an example to support the claim made in the previous sentence that the theory of fingerprint identification predates its actual use. The second bolded statement is a recommendation made by the author. Because the other information presented in the stimulus build toward this recommendation, it is the author’s main point.

STEP 4: EVALUATE THE CHOICES 
 (E) matches the prediction and is correct.  (A) incorrectly states that the second statement is “contrary” to the author’s main idea, when in fact the opposite is true. (B) is incorrect because the first statement is supporting a factual claim, not an opinion, and the second statement is not a “contrary” opinion. Similarly, (C) claims that the first statement is an opinion, but it’s actually a supporting detail, and that the second statement “contradicts” the first, but there is no conflict between them. Finally, (D) is incorrect because it asserts that the second statement is evidence, but it is actually the author’s main point or conclusion.

The use of fingerprint analysis to identify criminal suspects dates

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The use of fingerprint analysis to identify criminal suspects dates

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