What is a significant characteristic that makes fingerprints valuable to law enforcement?

Fingerprints are considered permanent and unique, which is a significant characteristic that makes them highly valuable to law enforcement. Each individual has a distinct fingerprint pattern that does not change over a person's lifetime. This uniqueness allows law enforcement agencies to identify individuals with a high degree of accuracy, which is crucial for solving crimes, confirming identities, and maintaining security.

In contrast, fingerprints being temporary, easily altered, or subject to change with age does not reflect the nature of fingerprints. The permanence of fingerprints adds to their reliability in forensic science, making them an essential tool for investigations and legal proceedings. The stability of fingerprint patterns over time ensures that they remain an effective means of identification.