Uniqueness in the forensic identification sciences—Fact or fiction?

Page, Mark; Taylor, J. Andrew; Blenkin, Matt

doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2010.08.004

Cited by 73 publications

(49 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Until recently, long-used forensic science techniques have been employed to provide evidence in criminal trials without the reliability being questioned, however, high profile cases and publicised errors have resulted in an increased scrutiny of the discipline [6,7]. This is especially the case with latent fingerprint examination, where interpretation of fingerprint evidence is heavily dependent on the skill and expertise of latent print examiners [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry

2013

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, "Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry" Science and Justice 53 (2003) AbstractTime-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) chemical mapping was used to investigate the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink onpaper. This feasibility study shows that sodium, potassium and C 3 H 5 positive ions were particularly abundant endogenous components of the natural fingerprints and also present in the paper examined, but were mostly absent in the laser printed ink. Mapping of these ions enables the observation of friction ridges from latent prints on the ink surface, only when a fingerprint was deposited above the layer of ink. As a demonstration of proof of concept, blind testing of 21 samples from three donors resulted in a 100% success rate. The sensitivity of this technique was investigated within this trial through the examination of up to fifth depletion fingerprints and ageing of up to 28 days. Migration of fingerprint and paper components to the ink surface, although observed with increased ageing time, was not found to compromise determination of the deposition sequence.Keywords: Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS); fingerprints; laser printing; paper; questioned documents; forensic science N Attard Montalto, JJ Ojeda and BJ Jones, "Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry" Science and Justice 53 (2003) 2 This is an Archive Version. The definitive version is available at www.sciencedirect.com and via http://dx

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry

2013

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“…Both the uniqueness of the human dentition and the possibility of the dentition transferring to the bitten substrate (with all possible distortion possibilities) are still basic problems inherent in bite mark analysis and interpretation (Committee 2009;Saks et al 2016). Page et al (2011) stated that "uniqueness is impossible to prove" and added "(mistakes and misidentifications) are made because of guesswork, poor performance, lack of standards, bias and observer error". The dental information recorded on the bitten substrate should be compared to the dentition of the suspect, and although the uniqueness (the most basic concept supporting the bite mark analysis), sample selection or the applied imaging techniques still remain without scientific sufficiency (Franco et al 2017), most current guidelines persist in considering the act of biting as only a mechanical bearing connecting two solid objects (jaws and their teeth), opening and closing with a simple hinge mechanism (American Board of Forensic Odontology 2017; Dailey et al 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Selection of test bites records as part of a forensic bite mark analysis protocol

Rivera-Mendoza

Martín‐de‐las‐Heras

Navarro-Cáceres

et al. 2018

Egypt J Forensic Sci

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Background: Test bites have been recommended for collecting evidence of suspected dentition in bite mark analysis. However, these recommendations only suggest recording the interocclusal relationship without establishing number of records or characteristics to obtain proper records. This fails to consider not only the possibility that the recording material did not respond properly, but also that the evaluator has not detected simulations, habits or parafunctions that may affect the tests.

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“…The concept of 'uniqueness in nature' is core to the principles of fingerprint examiners (Page et al, 2011). Applied to fingerprint identification, it is the argument that no two fingerprints in the entire world are exact duplicates (Page et al, 2011).…”

Section: The Scientific Basis Of Individualizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Applied to fingerprint identification, it is the argument that no two fingerprints in the entire world are exact duplicates (Page et al, 2011). However, some criticize the unsupported nature of the principle: FBI forensic scientist Bunch observes, "There is no rational or scientific ground for making claims of absolute certainty in any of the traditional identification sciences" (Saks, 2010).…”

Section: The Scientific Basis Of Individualizationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fingerprint Identification: Potential Sources of Error and the Cause of Wrongful Convictions

Grose¹

2017

JSST

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Fingerprint identification has long been used by law enforcement to either identify or eliminate potential suspects in a case. It relies on friction ridges -the upraised skin that forms grooves on fingers -and friction ridge impressions, which form from natural secretions of sweat and other trace components. Latent prints, a common term for friction ridge impressions, have many benefits and advantages as a type of forensic evidence. However, they are not a perfect tool: wrongful convictions identified by post-conviction DNA testing and the re-evaluation of forensic evidence have spawned criticism and investigation into the scientific basis of this branch of forensics. This literature review examines literature in both the scientific and legal fields, and investigates three main themes: the principle of uniqueness assumed in individualization, the presence of cognitive bias and human error in analysis, and the changing role of expert testimony in court. There are arguments both for and against uniqueness, but it is still difficult to prove using statistical models and data analysis. Bias in examiners, on the other hand, undeniably exists in different ways, and should be actively guarded against in fingerprint analysis and expert testimony. Expert witness testimony that misleads, exaggerates, or is scientifically unsupportable has been linked to wrongful convictions in the past, highlighting the importance of careful regulation of how an expert witness is advised to testify. In addition to these topics, the techniques of collecting latent print evidence and the standard procedures of analysis have also been examined and evaluated for potential sources of error.Le maintien de l'ordre public utilise depuis longtemps les empreintes digitales pour identifier et éliminer des suspects d'une affaire criminelle. Les empreintes digitales se fient aux crêtes papillaires -les crêtes et les creux qui formes des rainures sur les doigts -et des empreintes des crêtes papillaires, ce qui se forme par les sécrétions naturelles de transpiration et autres composantes de traces. Les empreintes latentes, un terme courant pour les empreintes digitales, possèdent plusieurs avantages en tant qu'élément médico-légal de preuve. Toutefois, ce n'est pas une ressource fiable; des condamnations injustifiées identifiées par un test d'ADN post-condamnatoire et la réévaluation de l'évidence médico-légale ont frayé des critiques et des enquêtes de la base des sciences des empreintes digitales. Cette revue examine les textes dans les domaines scientifiques et médico-légaux, et examine trois thèmes : le principe d'unicité assumé par l'individualisation, la présence d'un biais cognitif et l'erreur humaine dans l'analyse, et le rôle changeant de témoignages experts devant la Cour. Il existe des arguments pour et contre l'unicité, mais l'unicité est tout de même difficile à prouver en utilisant les modèles statistiques et l'analyse de données. Un préjugé chez les examinateurs, d'autres parts, existe incontestablement, et devrait être activement...

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Uniqueness in the forensic identification sciences—Fact or fiction?

Cited by 73 publications

References 23 publications

Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry

Determining the order of deposition of natural latent fingerprints and laser printed ink using chemical mapping with secondary ion mass spectrometry

Selection of test bites records as part of a forensic bite mark analysis protocol

Fingerprint Identification: Potential Sources of Error and the Cause of Wrongful Convictions

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