How the work being done on statistical fingerprint models provides the basis for a much broader and greater impact affecting many areas within the criminal justice system

Abstract

In the process of developing and improving statistical models to address flaws in the examination and interpretation of highly selective fingermarks, the groundwork is being laid for a much broader and greater impact. This impact will arise from the use of these same improved statistical methods to exploit information from the examination of fingermarks with lower degrees of selectivity—those fingermarks traditionally considered to be devoid of evidentiary value. To the contrary, research has shown that fingermarks of lower selectivity have much to offer. They occur very frequently: much more often than those assessed to be sufficient for inclusion in existing fingerprint examination processes. In individual cases, they occur in locations and numbers that can provide important new information for investigators and additional routes to further investigation. As evidence contributing to proving a case, they can provide detailed activity-level information and new avenues to address the relevance and probative value of other direct and circumstantial evidence. The broader application of fingerprint models to these traditionally unused fingermarks of lower selectivity needs to be specifically developed and implemented to realize the contributions and to responsibly manage the risks and benefits.