Is it permissible to carry out the حد (corporal punishment) for theft based on fingerprint matching or the use of trained police dogs as evidence?
Modern science confirms that fingerprints are not identical between two people and that trained dogs are successful in identifying criminals. However, the pure links the proof of theft to confession or to the testimony of just witnesses, and it does not elevate trained dogs and fingerprints to the level of evidence that establishes rulings. Rather, they remain within the bounds of circumstantial evidence, because legal punishments (Hudud) are averted by doubts. In most cases, the accused person confesses when confronted with dogs or fingerprints, so it is the confession that establishes the case, not the dogs or the fingerprints.
Summary from Ftawy's records · added here
Reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
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- Ftawy
- Original fatwa ID
- 84770
- Added here
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- Text
- Summary from Ftawy's records, reviewed by El Fatwa's sharia committee.
- Read the full ruling
- Read the full answer on Ftawy