Final answer:
The most challenging aspects of fingerprint examination involve matching fingerprints to known individuals and analyzing intricate ridge patterns, both requiring significant expertise. DNA fingerprinting adds complexity with the need for meticulous DNA pattern analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most difficult aspect of fingerprint examination is likely matching a fingerprint to a known individual or analyzing the ridge patterns on a fingerprint. The complexity in matching a fingerprint in crime investigations lies in the fact that examiners must rely on partial or smudged prints, and numerous variables can affect the ease of comparison. Moreover, fingerprints at a crime scene can be affected by surface conditions, the pressure applied during contact, and the cleanliness of the finger, among other factors. Also, the ridge patterns themselves can be very intricate and require a meticulous analysis to identify unique characteristics and to ensure accurate matching.
DNA fingerprinting, although based on different principles, also involves complexities, including the extraction and amplification of DNA, as well as the analysis of DNA patterns through such techniques as restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), which relies on the unique sequences present in an individual's DNA. While these processes are scientifically robust, interpreting the results can be challenging and requires specialized expertise.
It's worth noting that while the physical collection of fingerprints from a crime scene (option 4) is crucial, it might not be considered the most difficult task compared to the intricacies of analyzing and matching the collected prints or DNA evidence to individuals.