Final answer:
Alphonse Bertillon is considered the father of criminal identification, who pioneered anthropometry in law enforcement before more accurate methods like DNA analysis by Dr. Alec Jeffreys revolutionized forensic science.
Step-by-step explanation:
The pioneer considered the father of criminal identification is Alphonse Bertillon. Bertillon was a French police officer and biometrics researcher who applied the anthropometric system to law enforcement creating an identification system based on physical measurements. Before advancements such as DNA analysis and the awareness of eyewitness misidentification issues, Bertillon's method was revolutionary in distinguishing individuals.
Problems with eyewitness identification can lead to wrongful convictions, which has been demonstrated through cases such as that of Ronald Cotton, who was wrongfully identified by Jennifer Thompson. Similarly, the case of Sacco and Vanzetti highlighted issues in the justice system concerning the reliability of witness statements against immigrants and radicals. Forensic scientists have since developed more reliable methods, such as DNA fingerprinting by Dr. Alec Jeffreys, to accurately identify individuals in criminal investigations.