Digital capture of fingerprints in a disaster victim identification setting: a review and case study

Johnson, Bryan T.; Riemen, John

doi:10.1080/20961790.2018.1521327

Cited by 25 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 13 publications

(11 reference statements)

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“…In real time, those victims that had not been directly identified by the Alethia AFIS had their friction ridge details accessed remotely and added to Brazil’s national AFIS. The biometric scanner uses optical technology, which enables the collection of friction ridge information from the victims’ bodies [ 6 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Friction ridge analysis in disaster victim identification (DVI): Brazilian case studies

Souza

Urtiaga

Ferreira

et al. 2021

Forensic Sciences Research

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Depending on the magnitude and nature of a disaster, identifying the victims can be a complex task that requires coordinated work by disaster victim identification (DVI) teams based on pre-established protocols. Thus, the analysis of fingerprints has been presented as a method to establish, when possible, the identity of the victims during the DVI process. This study discusses the importance of this primary method of identification and the results obtained in four different disasters in which Brazilian DVI teams were involved: the Air France Flight AF447 plane crash in the Atlantic Ocean, floods and mudslides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the LaMia Flight 2933 plane crash in Colombia, and the tailings dam collapse in Brumadinho, Brazil. Here, we also report the use of the automatic fingerprint capture and identification system, called Alethia, developed by the Federal Police of Brazil and used in the victim identification process in the two latter events mentioned above. KEY POINTS• This article presents four different disasters that occurred in Brazil and overseas and involved Brazilian DVI teams in the identification process, focusing on fingerprint identification (Air France Flight AF447, floods and mudslides in the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, LaMia Flight 2933, and the Brumadinho tailings dam collapse). • This article also describes the evolution of the DVI process in Brazil, including a description of the technology currently used by Brazilian fingerprint experts (Alethia). • This article reports how the Alethia System was used in the disasters and how it optimized the human identification process when compared to traditional methods.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Other procedures, such as personal descriptions, tattoos, medical findings, among others, are classified as secondary methods [ 5 ]. Friction ridge analysis is considered the fastest primary identification method [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Friction ridge analysis in disaster victim identification (DVI): Brazilian case studies

Souza

Urtiaga

Ferreira

et al. 2021

Forensic Sciences Research

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“…Current research into technology for DVI focuses on data collection at the scene, e.g., digital capture of fingerprints [10]; pathology technology to assist the post-mortem phase [11]; or data management and matching at the reconciliation phase [12]. Fewer studies focus on the linkage of physical remains and digital data, or related problems such as the tracking of living victims of disaster.…”

Section: Examples Of Technology In DVI Practicementioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring technologies to better link physical evidence and digital information for disaster victim identification

Lovell,

Vella,

Muñoz

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Disaster victim identification (DVI) entails a protracted process of evidence collection and data matching to reconcile physical remains with victim identity. Technology is critical to DVI by enabling the linkage of physical evidence to information. However, labelling physical remains and collecting data at the scene are dominated by low-technology paper-based practices. We ask, how can technology help us tag and track the victims of disaster? Our response to this question has two parts.First, we conducted a human-computer interaction led investigation into the systematic factors impacting DVI tagging and tracking processes. Through interviews with Australian DVI practitioners, we explored how technologies to improve linkage might fit with prevailing work practices and preferences; practical and social considerations; and existing systems and processes. We focused on tagging and tracking activities throughout the DVI process. Using insights from these interviews and relevant literature, we identified four critical themes: protocols and training; stress and stressors; the plurality of information capture and management systems; and practicalities and constraints.Second, these findings were iteratively discussed by the authors, who have combined expertise across electronics, data science, cybersecurity, human-computer interaction and forensic pathology. We applied the themes identified in the first part of the investigation to critically review technologies that could support DVI practitioners by enhancing DVI processes that link physical evidence to information. This resulted in an overview of candidate technologies matched with consideration of their key attributes.This study recognises the importance of considering human factors that can affect technology adoption into existing practices. Consequently, we provide a searchable table (as Supplementary Information) that relates technologies to the key considerations and attributes relevant to DVI practice, for the reader to apply to their own context. While this research directly contributes to DVI, it also has applications to other domains in which a physical/digital linkage is required, and particularly within high stress environments with little room for error.

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“…All victims in this study were identified using the acquisition method + smartphone image. Johnson and Riemen (2019) presented a review on digital fingerprint acquisition in DVI victims, citing smartphones as an option, with low technology, easy internet connection, and images with the necessary quality for human identification results.…”

Section: Smartphone Versus Standard Cameramentioning

confidence: 99%

Smartphones for latent fingerprint processing and photography: A revolution in forensic science

Haertel

Linhares

Melo³

2020

WIREs Forensic Science

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Smartphones are a great technological revolution of the last decade. Their characteristics, such as high‐resolution cameras, internal storage, and processing capacity, make them useful for different technical solutions, such as forensics. The latent fingerprint is a critical piece of evidence in crime scenes; it is invisible to the naked eye, so different methods for improving visualization are essential. Several techniques, based on chemical and physical processes, have been developed over time. Smartphones can help improve visualization through optical features. Recent studies have evaluated combining methods of acquiring latent fingerprints with smartphones, showing different principles for this purpose. Using this type of tool remains controversial, especially regarding its admissibility in court. Studies in this area are necessary since these tools would make the lives of forensic scientists much easier. Among the main reasons for its application in crime scenes are ease of use, wide availability for purchase, and the low cost involved, which is of great interest to developing countries. This work aims to show that a smartphone camera is also a suitable tool for enhancing and acquiring latent digital fingerprints with sufficient quality for forensic use. This review shows further research and discusses image quality, admissibility in court, and its importance for developing countries due to its low cost. This article is categorized under: Digital and Multimedia Science > Mobile Forensics Crime Scene Investigation > From Traces to Intelligence and Evidence Digital and Multimedia Science > Multimedia Forensics

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Digital capture of fingerprints in a disaster victim identification setting: a review and case study

Cited by 25 publications

References 13 publications

Friction ridge analysis in disaster victim identification (DVI): Brazilian case studies

Friction ridge analysis in disaster victim identification (DVI): Brazilian case studies

Exploring technologies to better link physical evidence and digital information for disaster victim identification

Smartphones for latent fingerprint processing and photography: A revolution in forensic science

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