Latent Print Examination

IMPROVING THE RIGOR OF THE LATENT PRINT EXAMINATION PROCESS
PhD Thesis by Austin Hicklin

Now publicly available, this interesting and informative document details past, current and future developments, activities and ideas impacting the quality and thoroughness of latent print examination work in the demanding environment of the modern world.

Complex Latent Print Consultancy

Your Participation is Sought for a Complex Latent Print Consultancy Effort

No Longer Accepting New Participants - Phase 2 Now Active for Those Who Completed Phase 1

We, Christophe Champod¹ and Ed German², are jointly collaborating with attorneys in the context of an adjudicated criminal case. In this case, a latent print (finger mark) has been used in a way which, in our view, raises concerns from a professional perspective. We have jointly expressed our views on the impression, however we believe the case may benefit from the view of a larger group of fingerprint expert practitioners. Hence, we have suggested carrying out a large-scale consultancy effort among fingerprint practitioners to assess the value of the impression to associate (identify) or to exclude.

Hence this present call for assistance in the consultancy effort. We both offer our service pro bono for this case.

Multiple latent print examiners are sought for participation in this consultancy – at least ten, but many more are welcome. For participant selection, priority will be given to experts certified or registered as latent print examiners/fingerprint specialists (i.e., forensic scientists specializing in crime scene friction ridge impression analysis) with at least five years' full-time experience in latent print examination.

The consultancy will be carried out in two phases as follows:

Phase 1 - Evaluation of the suitability of one latent impression for comparison.

A minimum of ten latent print examiners are sought for participation in this consultancy effort.

Only participants who signed up for the consultancy will receive images for evaluation. All participants will receive the same images at 1,000 pixels per inch (ppi) spatial resolution.

Participants will have until 15 February 2017 to submit their analysis results. The results may be submitted either in the form of a narrative or supported by image annotations. The choice of the reporting format is left to each participant. Only examiners who submit their analysis findings will be able to participate in Phase 2.

Phase 2 - Comparison of record prints to Phase 1 impression.

Only participants completing Phase 1 will receive record print images for comparison (all will receive the same images at 1,000 ppi).

Participants will have until 7 April 2017 to submit their comparison results for the project. Again, the reporting format is left up to each examiner.

A summary of the results of this consultancy effort will be prepared for our instructing party (attorneys). Results are also planned to be posted to this website after the consultancy.

Confidentiality: Consulted examiners may choose to remain anonymous, or they may choose to have their name disclosed. All named examiners will have an opportunity to comment (before release) on the report we will prepare following this consultancy effort. There are currently no plans for names of the parties (defendant, attorneys, agencies, etc.) involved in the case to be disclosed on the website.

How to Participate: If you are interested in participating in this consultancy effort, please email a short curriculum vitae to christophe.champod@unil.ch and ed@onin.com. Please include the word Consultancy in the subject line of the email.

We remain, of course, available to answer any questions and thank you in advance for your potential participation.

¹ Christophe Champod, PhD, Professor, University of Lausanne, School of Criminal Science, Police Science Institute, Lausanne, Switzerland
² Ed German, CLPE, FFS, Special Agent/CW5 and Scientist/GS15 (retired), US Government

Get the Latest Version of Universal Latent Print Workstation (ULW 6.6.3 )... Even if you do not currently submit latent print searches directly to the FBI, you may Use ULW Extended Feature Set capabilities to help with casework documentation of Level 1, 2 and 3 information. ULW now includes an offline comparison tool for use even if you have no AFIS.
- ULW Brochure

Development of Latent Fingermarks from Difficult Surfaces by Laser Light Sources
by Shiquan Liu, PhD
Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science China University of Political Science and Law
Presented at the International Association for Identification
101st Annual Educational Conference - August 2016

This presentation explains successful laser development and visualization techniques applied to difficult surfaces, including bricks, stone, wood, train tickets and cloth. The presentation includes contributions from Zhongliang Mi, Weisi Cai, and Brian Dalrymple.

ENFSI Best Practice Manual for Fingerprint Examination
by Maj. Aldo Mattei, PhD
RIS Carabinieri, Italy
Presented at the International Association for Identification
101st Annual Educational Conference - August 2016

This presentation addresses the Best Practice Manual for Fingerprint Examination issued by the European Network of Forensic Science Institutes (ENFSI). The manual considers fingerprint examination from receipt of items into a laboratory to the delivery of a report as a seamless and interdependent process. It does not consider the recovery of fingermarks from the crime scene, although much of the information within the visualization chapter is relevant. The full manual is online here.

The Strength of Conclusions
by Michelle Triplett, CLPE
King County, Washington
Presented at the International Association for Identification
101st Annual Educational Conference - August 2016

This presentation discusses a more accurate and transparent approach for arriving at, and reporting, results. The full published paper addressed by the presentation is online here.

A Review of Recently Published Fingerprint Research
by Robert Ramotowski, US Secret Service
Presented at the International Association for Identification
101st Annual Educational Conference - August 2016

This presentation provides a brief overview of a selection of articles published since mid-2015.

Validation Studies in ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratories
by Robert Ramotowski, US Secret Service
Presented at the International Association for Identification
101st Annual Educational Conference - August 2016

This presentation addresses key elements of Level I, II and III validation procedures, including documentation.

Unusual, Genius and Stupid Tactics for More Fingerprint and Face Identifications
by Ed German, CLPE
Presented at the International Association for Identification
101st Annual Educational Conference - August 2016

This presentation outines numerous options to consider for identifying more persons in current cases, and some cold cases, by working smarter (not harder) to balance accuracy, timely support and thoroughness.

New Paradigm for Fingerprint
Reporting Without Individualization
by Henry Swofford, Chief Latent Print Unit
US Army Criminal Investigation Laboratory
Presented during a Forensic Technology Center of Excellence webinar on 14 July 2016

In November 2015, the Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) issued an Information Paper announcing the decision to cease using the terms “individualization” and “identification” in latent print technical reports and expert witness testimony. This presentation explained the reasoning behind the new reporting language of the DFSC.

For over 100 years, fingerprint evidence has been used as a valuable tool for the criminal justice system. Relying on the generalized premise of “uniqueness”, the forensic community has regarded fingerprint evidence as nearly infallible having the capacity to “individualize” the source of a fingerprint impression to a single individual. While the uniqueness of a complete record of friction ridge skin detail is generally undisputed, the extension of that premise to partial and degraded impressions has become a central issue of debate. Nevertheless, forensic science laboratories routinely use the terms “individualization” and “identification” in technical reports and expert witness testimony to express an association of a partial impression to a specific known source.

Over the last several years, there has been growing criticism among the scientific and legal communities regarding the use of such terms to express source associations which rely on expert interpretation. The crux of the criticism is that these terms imply absolute certainty and infallibility to the fact-finder which has not been demonstrated by available scientific data. As a result, several authoritative scientific organizations have recommended forensic science laboratories not to report or testify, directly or by implication, to a source attribution to the exclusion of all others in the world or to assert 100% infallibility and state conclusions in absolute terms when dealing with population issues. Consequently, the traditional paradigm of reporting latent fingerprint conclusions with an implication of absolute certainty to a single source has been challenged. The underlying basis for the challenge pertains to the logic applied during the interpretation of the evidence and the framework by which that evidence is articulated. By recognizing the subtle, yet non-trivial differences in the logic, the fingerprint community may consider an alternative framework to report fingerprint evidence to ensure the certainties are not over or understated.

Out of the Frye-ing pan and into the Fire
by Francis P. Senese
Presented at the Illinois Division, International Association for Identification's (IAI) 54th Annual Educational Conference - April 2016

This presentation details historical background and other important factors to consider for Daubert, Frye and similar scientific process challenge hearings.

Transmogrification - Surgical incisions and rotation of fingerprint focal point areas (e.g., cores, delta) before suturing.

Automated Face & FP Criminal Justice Resources
by Ed German
Presented at the Illinois Division, International Association for Identification's (IAI) 54th Annual Educational Conference - April 2016

This presentation details face and fingerprint repositories US law enforcement can leverage today to solve more crime... (even if they have no in-house face experts).

NIST Seeking Fingerprint Examiners for Facial Identification Study

Dear Colleague,

One of the key questions in forensics is measuring the accuracy of facial forensic examiners. To address this question, we are conducting the Measuring the accuracy of facial forensics comparisons research study. This research study will measure the performance of facial forensic examiners using the tools and methods in their laboratory. We are recruiting facial forensic examiners to compare the faces in 20 image-pairs and answer a background survey.

We are also recruiting non-examiner face experts and fingerprint examiners to take the same study. Non-examiner face experts are familiar with faces but have not been trained in facial forensic comparisons. We are looking for fingerprint examiners who do not have experience in facial comparisons. Fingerprint examiners have been trained forensic comparison but do not have experience with faces. These two groups will allow for a detailed analysis of the accuracy of facial forensics comparisons.

By participating in this research study, you will assist in developing a scientific measure of performance of facial forensic comparison. These results may help meet the Daubert standard for the admissibility of expert witness testimony.

By volunteering for this research study, you may request your accuracy at comparing the extremely challenging faces in this study. If you are willing to volunteer, please contact the principle investigator, Dr. Jonathon Phillips, by email at jonathon.phillips@nist.gov or by phone at +1 301-975-5348.

FBI's Biometric Center of Excellence
by Nick Megna, Unit Chief, Biometric Center of Excellence, FBI CJIS, Clarksburg, West Virginia
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI) 100th International Educational Conference - August 2015

This presentation details current activities and future plans involving FBI biometric projects including fingerprint, face, iris and voice modalities.

A Review of Recently Published Fingerprint Research
by Robert Ramotowski
Presented at the International Association for Identification (IAI) 100th International Educational Conference - August 2015

This presentation provides a partial overview of forensic science articles appearing in (non-IAI) publications during 2014-2015.

A Possible Model for R&D – Maintaining the “Scientist" in the Forensic Scientist
by Eliot Springer, Deputy Director NYPD Police Laboratory, New York City, NY
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI) 99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

This presentation addresses obstacles and novel solutions to increase research and development in the modern forensic science laboratory environment.

Improving Morale, Opening Lines of Communication, and Keeping the Criminalist Engaged
by Eliot Springer, Deputy Director NYPD Police Laboratory, New York City, NY
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI) 99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

This presentation explains how implementing a variety of outside-the-box ordinary, unusual, and fun activities can improve the flow of communications, reduce stress, improve productivity and provide other benefits.

IT Project in Poland Supporting LP Development on Difficult Porous and Non-Porous Surfaces
by the Central Forensic Laboratory in Warsaw and the Police Academy in Szczytno, Poland

Poster presentation at the International Association for Identification's (IAI) 99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

This poster from S. Zubanski, A. Tyzwa, T. Szcepanski, K. Klemczak and U. Wieckiewicz outlines the planned development of software cataloguing and documenting validated processes for latent print development on difficult surfaces. Additionally, IT development will include creation of a comprehensive electronic infrastructure supporting forensic units with modern software solutions for real world conditions. The project is supported by The National Centre for Research and Development.

Fingermark Visualisation Manual
by Helen Bandey, PhD
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI) 99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

The presentation explained and demonstrated the automated, interactive fingerprint visualization manual. (These slides are not interactive, but include screen shots of sample pages from various sections.)

This manual replaces the widely used "Manual of Fingerprint Development Techniques." It has been vastly revised and extended and it is presented in a new style to reflect advances in both science and operational practice.

The new manual has been implemented across all UK police forces. Others may purchase the electronic manual from tso-shop.co.uk.

Administrative Decisions within the Universal Latent Workstation Software
by Patricia Mason, Training Instructor, FBI CJIS
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI)
99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

This presentation explains new features of the FBI's newest (soon to be released) ULW software. New capabilities include civil database searches, a direct email interface (still being developed), Next Generation Identification (NGI) interface capabilities, and much more.

Understanding Digital Image Processing
by Allison Loll, PhD, CLPE
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI)
99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

This presentation (A Look Behind the Scenes: Understanding Digital Imaging Processing) addresses important aspects of digital imaging, including accurate and complete answers for image processing-related questions in court.

Conducting Forensic Science Research Projects
by Robert Ramotowski
Presented at the International Association for Identification's (IAI)
99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

Topics addressed include effective planning, research, design, conduct, documentation and publication of forensic science research.

Latent Print Research Projects
by Robert Ramotowski
Presented at the International Association for Identification (IAI)
99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

This presentation covers a variety of US Secret Service research, including the following

- Developing Latent Prints on Coated Papers

- Developing Latent Prints on Stone Papers

- Impact of Latent Print Reagents on Ink Analysis

- Processing Business Envelopes with Polystyrene Windows

- Effect of Acidifying Ninhydrin on Latent Print Development

A Review of Recently Published Fingerprint Research
by Robert Ramotowski
Presented at the International Association for Identification (IAI)
99th International Educational Conference - August 2014

It is difficult for most latent print examiners to keep up with articles published in so many different journals. This presentation provides a brief overview of a selection of articles published since 2013.

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