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An Update on Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States - A Decade of Development at NIST
  
Presented by Robert Ramotowski
Forensic Science Research Program Manager
Special Programs Office
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

On 12 November 2019 in Washington DC, a one-day conference titled "AN UPDATE ON STRENGTHENING FORENSIC SCIENCE IN THE UNITED STATES: A DECADE OF DEVELOPMENT " commemorated the 10th anniversary of the pathbreaking National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) report “Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward,” a report that challenged the way forensic science is conducted and the way it is presented in the courts.

Sessions addressed developments during the past decade in the forensic sciences and in the courts, as well as in federal agencies and laboratories. The conference was jointly sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Innocence Project and NIST, in collaboration with NASEM.

Here is a link to a video of some of the conference (the last eight minutes of the 1 hour, 20 minute video include comments from Austin Hicklin and Ed German).   
 
Here is the AAAS Website for the conference.
   
           

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White Paper - The Performance of Latent Print Examiners as Revealed by Eye Tracking Methodologies
by Dr. Shiquan Liu
Institute of Evidence Law and Forensic Science
China University of Political Science and Law
Beijing, China
and
Dr. Zhou Jie
East China Normal University
Shanghai, China
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Forensic Education Conference during 12 July - 16 August 2019 in Reno, Nevada
  
Comparison of fingerprint images for identification is a complex task requiring human experience and depends on perceptual learning processes. This project recorded the eye positions and eye fixation patterns of 15 expert latent print examiners, 15 primary latent print examiners and 15 novice participants. The project included two time limitation variants and three levels of comparison difficulty. The eye tracking results reflect where and how long participants looked at specific impressions areas while making decisions. 
  
     

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Friction Ridge Resources
by Steve Brock, CLPE
Latent Fingerprint Examiner Supervisor
Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office
San Jose, California
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Forensic Education Conference during 12 July - 16 August 2019 in Reno, Nevada
  
This lecture includes a comprehensive list of some of the most accessible resources to aid latent print examiners in staying abreast of current literature, research, technology, training, and much more.
  
     

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Captivating the Jury
by Hillary Daluz
Instructor, Tri-Tech Forensics
Forensic Specialist, Forensic Identification Services
Author, CRC Press
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Forensic Education Conference during 12 July - 16 August 2019 in Reno, Nevada
 
This lecture examines expert testimony from a juror's perspective and discusses methods for captivating any jury. Have you ever testified as an expert witness only to notice the jurors' eyes glazed over? Is juror #4 taking notes, or doodling? In order to be successful expert witnesses, and thus successful forensic scientists, we must be able to educate the jurors who have the responsibility of determining the veracity and weight of our opinions. This lecture examines expert testimony from a juror's perspective and discusses methods for captivating any jury.
  
        

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AFIS: How to Get More Hits
by Brianne Breedlove
Napa County Sheriff’s Office
Napa, California
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Forensic Education Conference during 12 July - 16 August 2019 in Reno, Nevada
   
These slides cover various ideas about AFIS searching procedures, methods of testing those procedures and suggestions for quality assurance measures to ensure procedures are consistently effective over time.
  
     

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Click the above image to see a panoramic image of the more than 1,300 IAI delegates at the opening ceremony if the IAI Conference on 12 August 2019.
      

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A Note for FBI NGI Users...
One of the most valuable pieces of fingerprint-related information shared at the 2018 IAI Conference involves FBI Lab and CJIS research about about NGI latent print search result candidate scores. At the IAI Conference in San Antonio, FBI Latent Print Examiner Kyle Tom explained that preliminary research showed that when the matching scores of the #1 and #2 candidates have a difference of 1,250 or more, 83.5% of the time it will be an identification.
  
This is important because it means all agencies should consider implementing a policy that any such 1,250 or more difference in NGI candidate responses should require review by more than one examiner - either because the first examiner made an identification, or because there is an increased chance of an erroneous exclusion. Hopefully, the FBI will publish research on this topic in the future.
  
Some agencies embrace the opinion that allowing examiners to see the matching scores in candidate lists biases them and should be precluded. The current chair of the OSAC Friction Ridge Subcommittee AFIS Best Practices Task Group (Mike French) and I are both of the opinion that AFIS matching scores are an important objective measurement which can lend valuable information to the examination process and aid quality assurance.
 
- Ed German
Certified Latent Print Examiner, IAI
Certified Biometrics Professional, IEEE
             
      

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Current Trends in Legal Challenges to Fingerprint Evidence
by Amy Watroba, Asst. State's Attorney
Forensic Science Unit
Cook County State's Attorney's Office
Chicago, Illinois
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas
   
These slides address recent types of legal challenges to latent print evidence, what you can expect from defense attorneys, and much more.

Ms. Watroba supports prosecutors in the Cook County (Chicago) area, but welcomes inquiries from latent print examiners and prosecutors anywhere. Her contact details are on the last slide.
         
           

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FBI Next Generation Identification
by William G. McKinsey
FBI CJIS Biometric Services Section Chief
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
How does the FBI perform 300,000 searches per day against 140 million fingerprint records with superb accuracy? This informative update describes NGI's improved performance with additional modality implementations (face and iris) and new services. Many US state and local forensic scientists consider the FBI's NGI system as America's most important and valuable crime-solving asset.
             
      

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IAI Latent Print Certification Board Update- 2018
by Stephanie Howard, CLPE
Ontario Provincial Police
LPCB Chair
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
This excellent presentation updates activities of the LPCB during the past year, including details about test impressions which caused decertification of examiners (8% failure rate).

Discussion after the presentation included recommendations by many CLPEs present to cease decertification due to one missed ident (in the same manner that not identifying all impressions during initial certification testing is not a failure). The LPCB explained they will take the recommendations received during the meeting (and all other communications) under consideration.
 
       
Click on the above image to see a larger version of the print "missed" most often during recertification testing.            
      

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Universal Latent Workstation (ULW) in the Next Generation Identification (NGI) World v6.67
by Melissa Halpenny
FBI CJIS 
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
Everything you want to know about updated features in the FBI's latest release of ULW. The modern image quality metrics, unique comparison tool and other features make the software valuable even to forensic experts (latent print examiners) who do not search the FBI's national database. Slide 20 includes links for software download by authorized agencies/personnel, including foreign offices/personnel from most countries.
             
      

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Small Agency Latent Print AFIS Capabilities in 2018
by Ron Smith, CLPE and Ed German, CLPE
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
Hundreds of latent print examiners at small agencies throughout America are unable to search unsolved case latent prints in the FBI's national database. In the nation's fifth largest state (Illinois), very few local agency latent print examiners can search latent prints at the FBI... meaning months or years of turn-around time before examination begins on evidence they submit to Illinois' overworked (and under-financed) state crime labs.

Additionally, more than half of latent print examiners surveyed who have current access through state or regional networks desire to be able to submit latent prints directly to the FBI via email (an avenue which was shut-off about three years ago for most agencies to even explore ).

Some believe the major AFIS vendors are pushing back against agencies being able to directly search the FBI without buying $30K to $50K terminals to route through the same AFIS vendor's state systems. Other experts see push-back from state law enforcement to allow local agencies to circumvent their networks (electronic or crime lab snail-mail) even though directly searching the FBI would often solve investigations faster and overall reduce criminal activity in the impacted jurisdictions.

Click here to see a PNG file displaying all the small agency responses. Depending on your browser, you may need to click on a small magnifying glass icon or otherwise zoom in to increase the image width to a legible view. A few survey outliers seemed to list the CSI unit or investigative Division population in lieu of the total law enforcement agency number of employees, but most of the participants' responses seemed copacetic.
  
      

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AFIS Training Practices: Swiss Precision - American Cowboy
by Kurt Aebersold and Carey Hall, CLPE
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
This presentation addresses the well-ordered Swiss AFIS training program (under one organization) versus the myriad approaches happening in the American AFIS environment.
             
      

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Benefits of a Regional or Local AFIS
by David Tivin, CLPE and Neil Runte
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
These industry presentation slides by Gemalto Cogent and the Westchester, Ohio Police Department outline some of the reasons hundreds of local agencies in America utilize local or regional AFIS systems to accomplish timely and accurate crime solving not always possible through state and federal systems.
             
      

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Going from AFIS to Advanced Recognition Systems to Prevent & Solve More Crime
by John Dowden and John Burt, CLPE
 
Presented at the International Association for Identification Annual Educational Conference during 29 July - 3 August 2018 in San Antonio, Texas, USA
   
This industry presentation by NEC focuses on the latest available biometric and video analytical technologies. These new capabilities help to identify suspects and mitigate crime with increased accuracy while still endeavoring to ensure public privacy rights.
               

           

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DNA or Latent Prints? Or Both?
by Raymond A, Jorz, FFS, Senior Fingerprint/Firearms Examiner
  and
Karen M. Zavarella, Ph.D., Forensic Analyst

Presented at the CUGI Annual Educational Conference - 30 Oct-1 Nov 2017

These slides include information about how to successfully harvest both latent print and DNA evidence from the same specimens/surfaces.

The collection of DNA from latent print ridge detail by peeling open tape or hinge lifters in the lab, and from cyanoacrylate-developed ridge detail, and other evidence scenarios are addressed.

The need for sterile, single-use brushes and powders is addressed, along with their study results about how little DNA cross-contamination they found upon analyzing brushes/powder used at multiple (many) crime scenes.
             
      

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Testimony Issues in a Post-PCAST World
November 2017 by Rachelle Babler, CLPE

Presented at the CUGI Annual Educational Conference - 30 Oct-1 Nov 2017
 
These slides address some of the issues and concerns for testifying in modern times, when Defense knows there is a need for transparency in reports and testimony to comply with current standards, guidelines and best practices.

The slides also address the PCAST report error of not considering the clerical errors (as much as 35 of 42 answers) in the Miami Dade study; and the fact PCAST ignored that 100% of errors in the Miami Dade and FBI/Noblis Black Box studies were caught during subsequent verification actions.
             
      

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Unusual, Genius and Stupid Tactics for More Fingerprint and Face Identifications (2017 Update)
by Ed German, CLPE
 
Presented at the CUGI Annual Educational Conference - 30 Oct-1 Nov 2017
   
This presentation outlines 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. 
             
      

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Latent Print Report Appendix
October 2017 by Ed German, CLPE
 
Attaching an appendix at the end of latent print reports may help with transparency in communicating limitations, methods and overall information.

Here is a sample Latent Print Report Appendix. This appendix is used by the Macon County (Illinois) Sheriff's Office (MCSO).

The MCSO appendix is modeled after an FBI Lab Latent Print Report appendix, but with FBI-specific references modified to include SWGFAST, etc., documents.

The FBI Lab Latent Print Report appendix is excerpted (pages 5 through 7) from the online document here.
             
      

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A Review of Recently Published Fingerprint Research (2016-2017)
by Robert Ramotowski, US Secret Service

Presented at the International Association for Identification 102nd Annual Educational Conference - August 2017
   
Another valuable annual review of friction ridge research publications.

 
                    

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Validation in ISO 17025 Accredited Laboratories – Policy Guidance and a Recent Example of a Validation Study 
by Robert Ramotowski, US Secret Service

Presented at the International Association for Identification 102nd Annual Educational Conference - August 2017
   
This presentation includes information about how to structure validation studies for common processes (e.g., ninhydrin) as well as novel methods. An example of a recent study conducted in the presenter's laboratory is included.


   

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Old vs. New Fingerprint Information Exchange
by Michaela Spankova, Stefania Bohmerova, Dusan Mikulaj Institute of Forensic Science, Slovak Republic  

Poster presentation at the International Association for Identification 102nd Annual Educational Conference - August 2017
   
This presentation addresses the little known pioneering work of the Denmark Police who initiated the world's first electronic encoding of fingerprint minutiae (incorporating some features of the modified Henry classification system) facilitating remote electronic identification (confirmation that minutiae corresponded) and exclusion.

Best viewed by downloading to scroll-down through the individual slides.

The NIST (NBS) 1969 technical note reviewing Jörgensen's system is online here. The 1922 English version of a book describing Jörgensen's "Distant Identification" system is online here.
 
       

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Enhancing the Cyanoacrylate Fuming Method of Latent Prints via Coupling the Effects of Temperature and Humidity
by Leondra S. Lawson-Johnson and Mark Dadmun, Univ of Tennessee 

Poster presentation at the International Association for Identification 102nd Annual Educational Conference - August 2017
   
This presentation addresses the effects of various temperature and humidity combinations over time for the development of latent prints. Ambient development conditions (not artifically increased humidity) were shown to be optimal in this study. The presentation diagram shows a fuming cabinet with specimens positioned above the heated cyanoacrylate.
 
Best viewed by downloading to scroll-down through the individual slides.
 
   

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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. 

                         

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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. 
                       

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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 the 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.
                    

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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.  
          

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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.  
          

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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.  
          

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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.
       

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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. 
       

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

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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).
 
  

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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.   
  

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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.

     

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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.

   

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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. 
   
  

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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.
     
  

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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.
   
  

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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. 
       

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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.
 
  

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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.

   

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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.
   

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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
     

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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.