Dozens of earprints – in addition to DNA samples and fingerprints gathered at the crime scenes – helped investigators tie the suspect to at least 96 break-ins between July 2009 and July 2011 in northern Germany.
The 33-year-old suspect, who is a Macedonian citizen, is accused of stealing jewellery, cash and high-end electronic devices worth a total of $650,000. He was arrested in December 2011 after allegedly breaking into a building in the northern German city of Kiel but has now been identified as the suspect in series of burglaries.
"Earprints are almost as unique as fingerprints and can be important evidence, as this case shows," Hamburg police spokeswoman Ulrike Sweden told NBC News.
More world news from msnbc.com and NBC News:
- Did spies or 'Pakistani Blackwater' shield bin Laden?
- NBC sources: Blind Chinese activist is under US protection
- 'Slaughtered for their ivory': Up to 35,000 elephants slain in one year
- Listen up, criminals! Earprints lead cops to serial burglar
- UK to put missiles on rooftop to guard Olympics?
- Blind Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng escapes from house arrest
Follow us on Twitter: @msnbc_world


So the point of this article is to warn criminals? Warn them of what? Forensics? Big deal!
They used earprints in an episode of Law & Order SVU!
Yeah, they can also "Zoom and Enhance" which is a complete fabrication on SVU. I used to work in surveillance, and have had to deal with investigators all the time. One time a crime was caught on video and the person drove by a camera with their car. The person actually asked the investigator and I if there was a way to "zoom and enhance" and the investigator almost died laughing and stated to the person that "this isn't television".
Haha I've wondered about that! I don't have any experience in surveillance but I always figured picture quality is picture quality, unless they're using a really high quality camera to begin with! Thanks for the info! Good to know! Now I can commit a crime even though a vague shadow of me might show up in a mirror across the room froma camera! Whew!
You're under arrest...can you hear me now?
I do happen to have experience in surveillance but the girls father and the police report called it something else.
But in America, we cant locate the over 11 million illegal immigrants that are wandering around our country.
Go gently lick all of their ears and report to the nearest ICE office so you can give them the DNA samples, mmkay?
Come again?
Don't mind if I do.
We can't locate them because of the partnership between greedy corporations and our politicians (Rep & Dem).
jw101, what does that have to do with earprints and a burglar? Stay on topic.
Attention TV & movie crime dramas: Now you must have your master criminal hero cover his EARS as well as his fingertips when committing a crime. Also - new material for gory murder mysteries.
What in jumpin' jeepelas name was this guy doing with his ears? Dozens of earprints found. What a total assmunch. Remember if you're going to rip people off to cover up your ears. Laughing so hard it hurts!
I'm guessing you didn't read the article since it clearly stated he would press his ear against the doors and windows to determine whether or not the space was occupied.
Police to thief: "Come ear, I would lobe to wax you some questions!"
He should have worn a hoodie.
He should have heard them coming.
So now the police takes ear prints too? Interesting, I never knew that.
I had to giggle at this story. Sherlock Holmes would be so proud!