Fingerprints II Lecture Notes, Foundations in Forensic Science

Fingerprints II LEC07 – Friday September 27th Foundations in Forensic Science  LAB02 Outdoor Lab Test Next Monday All previous lectures & readings Course Update Opens during class time...

Fingerprints II LEC07 – Friday September 27th Foundations in Forensic Science  LAB02 Outdoor Lab Test Next Monday All previous lectures & readings Course Update Opens during class time 1300hrs-1350hrs 40 mins 30 M/C questions 2 S/A questions Fingerprint Searches IAFIS Integrated Automated Fingerprint Information System “a biometric identification system that uses digital imaging technology to obtain, store, and analyze fingerprint data” Since 1999 >70 million subjects Fingerprints Submitted from evidence LiveScans Search takes less than 30 mins Examiners required for final comparisons Fingerprints – AFIS Systems Operation Convolutional Neural Networks Fingerprint recognition (83%) Palm marks functionality Infant fingerprint imaging is challenging Overlapping impressions Dedicated algorithms Livescan sensors Degradation of system Touchless system? De Alcaraz-Fossoul and Li – Inkless method Alcohol based gels and thermal paper Fingerprints Swofford et al. - Clarity & Quality Clarity of print Quality of print 3 distinct values Value, difficulty, complexity Clarity metric LQMetric algorithm Automated tool Measurement ridge density Fingerprints – Examiner Performance Eldridge et al. – Examiner analysis Study 226 examiners >12,000 decisions 2 false identification (0.7%) 552 false exclusion decisions (9.5%) Hicklin et al. – Examiner disagreement ID, inconclusive, exclusion Overstate/understate reproducibility of conclusions Seven-level comparison suggested Ignaszak – Fingerprint expert Cognitive closure and controllability Fingerprints in Cours Standard minutiae 10-12 matching minutea Kozdrov-Miller & Klemczak Very limiting “Mapping of friction skin ridges impressions” Numerical & Holistic approach Weighing individual minutea Biedermann et al. – Identification More than forensic observations Prior probability of identity Fingerprint Identification Biedermann et al. – Identification “leaving identification decision authority to scientists would mean to let them continue to impose, implicitly, their unsubstantiated value assessments on a legal system that operates in deferential mode” Swofford – Identification “If the shift away from confident conclusions to probabilistic statements or mere associations, it will eventually make fingerprint evidence superfluous” Swofford & Champod – Identification “if probabilistic reporting is to be adopted, much work is still needed to better educate practitioners on the importance and utility of probabilistic reasoning in order to facilitate a path towards improved reporting practices” Fingerprint Identification Swofford – Identification Stress challenges and made 8 suggestions: Developing models for everyone Regulation of an independent authority Oversight of examination, interpretation and reporting Minimum requirements standards for education Koehler – Validity of Forensic Source Conclusions 20 threats No difficulty metric Differences between examiners No accuracy measurements Risk of cognitive bias Fingerprint Identification Neumann – Commentary General notions of logic, inference, decision-theory “there appears to be significant variability in terms of the basis of the policies and procedures and application when performing comparative examinations. Consequently, although ACE-V provides a common description, there is a need to establish a standardized application within disciplines and a common basis across disciplines”. De Ronde – Case Study Examination of print left on letter Read or written (96%) Holding a knife Fingerprint Composition Two main purposes: 1. Fingermark chemistry 2. Identification of ageing markers Secretion decreases with age Extraction of fatty acids Shed skin cells Dark-field microscopy Collecting DNA or proteins Fingerprint Ageing Boseley et al. – Molecular change 1. Molecular modification within first 8hrs 2. Unpredictable rates 3. Loss of water 14-20 micrograms Czech et al. – Fingerprint ridges Females leave larger ridges Ridge width deteriorates over time Dorakumbura et al. – Stable compounds Squalene & Cholesterol Fingerprint Donour Profiling Donour profiling Sex, diet, habits, ethnical origin Sex determination ~70%-85%, 90%, 80% Age of donour Unsuccessful Saturated & unsaturated fats Limited results Microbial profiling Limited results Nicotine presences 90% predictor of behaviour Fingerprint Visualization Research Main topics Powder dusting, metal and cartridges, nanoparticles in solution Large gap present Dusting for nanoparticles Practitioner’s health and safety Fingermark detection Fingerprint Photography Pilot studies Recording fingerprints left on curved surfaces Lens barrels equipped with LED Comparison of DSLR vs Smartphone cameras Intentional overexposure Wet or blood marks Mirror Removing backing Fingerprint Reagents Bouzin et al. – Old documents 80 year-old documents Categorized with age Several documents Decreased success rate over time Amino acid diffusion observed Cyclic temperature and humidity conditions Australia > UK Climactic conditions Fingerprint Cyanoacrylate Fuming Jones et al. – LumiFume comparison Against conventional CA cabinet Glass, white tile, black plastic, laminated wood Aged up to 28 days Must be investigated further Fingerprints on Cartridge Casings Case reports 2016 RCMP case 25 hanguns, 25 magazines, 98 loaded cartridges 3 cartridges had friction ridge details Polymerization Kansas City 4 cartriges collected and swabbed for DNA Crime scene photos re-examined Fingermark survived swabbing process Used to identify suspect Fingerprints on Cartridge Casings Koning – Colorado Bureau of Investigations 17’-18’ Recovery rate associated with firearm Handgun (4.34%), long guns (24%), magazines (9.45%), fired cartridge casings (0.38%), live cartridge casings (0.37%) Swank and Davis – 2017 Las Vegas Shooting 6909 live cartridges, 186 magazines, 6 shotguns, 1 revolver, 5 pistols, 30 rifles Firearms (12%), magazines (9.7%), live cartridges (0.38%) Non identified to gunman 2 were associated to individual working at factory Fingerprints on Other Substrates Animals Black powder on quail eggshells Black gel lifters on pangolin scales Food Black powder on fruits, vegetables and snacks Phones Different chemical techniques, non-damaging to phone Computers Keyboard and mouse Roughness, accumulated use, distortion of curved surface, underside Other prints Lip-prints Limited research attention “Currently, authors continue to use the concept of lip pattern uniqueness, yet the greatest part of their research has failed to support this hypothesis under current scientific standards” Bite-mark evidence “a number of cases where bitemark evidence have been used with a strength that is not deserved…subsequent DNA analyses have helped exposing misattributions based on bitemark attributions” 3 key points lack support Human dentition unique to individual Accurately be transferred to skin Identifying characteristics can be accurately captured Other Prints Ear prints Deep learning techniques for identification (97%) Based on images Ear biometrics May help with CCTV footage Case Studies Grilli – Social media Hand handling gun Friction ridges identifiable Compared to 10 print card Forsyth – Side of fingers Frictions ridges from side of finger used for comparison French gendarmery – Mobile LiveScan Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) AFIS 3 studies on mummy fingerprinting Immerse fingers in soapy water, then stretch, flatten, and map