Potential Breakthrough in OJ Simpson Case Through Fingerprint Analysis

Fox News articles are now available for listening. A set of nine unidentified fingerprints from the original OJ Simpson case might offer new insights over three decades later. Filmmaker Ari Mark believes that advances in forensic technology could identify the source of these prints.

Mark co-directed the docuseries “OJ’s Accomplice” for Peacock. The series revisits the 1994 murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. It investigates the theory that former NFL player OJ Simpson may not have acted alone. Focus is placed on Joey Ippolito, a convicted drug trafficker and associate of Simpson. Ippolito was reportedly connected to organized crime.

Mark urges investigators to reexamine nine fingerprints from the crime scene. Originally, these prints did not match any known samples. Mark told Fox News Digital that he believes these should be analyzed using today’s more advanced technology.

“The nine fingerprints are just sitting there, unused in updated systems,” Mark said. “This seems unnecessary. We can now analyze latent prints in ways that weren’t possible before.”

Former DEA agent Robert Brisolari appears in the series, exploring whether Simpson may have had help. In 1995, the Los Angeles Times reported that none of the fingerprints at the scene matched Simpson’s. Fingerprint specialist Gilbert Aguilar confirmed in court that nine prints were unmatched and independent of Simpson.

The defense argued these prints suggested other attackers were involved. They claimed detectives didn’t explore this possibility thoroughly, assuming Simpson’s guilt too quickly. Aguilar testified that the prints were checked against those of Simpson, Brown Simpson, and 58 acquaintances. No matches were found.

Aguilar believes expanded fingerprint databases could potentially yield a match now.

“Back in 1994, we used AFIS, but we didn’t search beyond Los Angeles effectively,” Aguilar said. “Today’s technology could find a match LAPD would not have found before.”

LAPD’s current stance is that the case remains open. Any new evidence will prompt further investigation. The fingerprints were again of interest during the docuseries, yet the district attorney’s office did not respond to a request for reevaluation.

Mark hopes that the series will prompt deeper scrutiny into unresolved questions. He emphasizes sensitivity toward victims’ families in this call for action.

“I feel that understanding these prints’ origin could close an open door,” Mark stated. “Families should support this process if it’s pursued.”

The series delves into whether Simpson had an accomplice. Joey Ippolito, who was a federal informant before his death in 2006, was linked to the case. His brother’s account, shared in the series, describes Ippolito returning on the night of the murders with blood on his hands. However, the brother later retracted his statement.

Though there are doubts about Ippolito’s involvement, former federal prosecutor David Kelley described him as a valuable source. Former defense investigator Pat McKenna believes the fingerprints should undergo further analysis.

Simpson was acquitted of the murders in 1995. A civil jury later found him liable for the deaths. In a different case, he served nearly nine years for armed robbery. Simpson died in April 2024 at age 76.