Forensic Face Matching

Abstract

Forensic face matching evidence has been presented in UK courts for over 30 years to provide crucial identification evidence in criminal investigations. To be admissible as evidence in UK courts, face matching must be conducted by a suitably qualified expert using scientifically validated procedures. Contrary to this notion, however, the field has been largely self-regulated, with little empirical investigation into the validity of face matching procedures and extensive criticism of forensic face matching in the scientific literature. Practitioner working groups are now addressing these criticisms and standardizing working practices, but further effort is required to ensure that the procedures used for forensic face matching are reliable and the limitations known. This chapter provides a critical analysis of the forensic face matching procedures used in the UK and internationally by forensic face examiners, alongside studies and case examples that have challenged and tested the reliability and accuracy of these procedures.