Methods Manual - Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification

Comparison

_____ is the assessment of the relationship between the data in a latent print and the data in a set of exemplar prints to determine whether the latent print and the exemplar prints share similarities.

False

True or False: When comparing any two impressions, correspondence is exact and does not consider tolerances that are influenced by distortion factors and other environmental effects.

The selection of target data in the latent print

What is the first step of the comparison process?

Robust, distinct

Ideal target data is a region of _____ and _____ detail that includes a focal point or is near a focal point.

The selected target area may be searched in a different orientation or with increased tolerance for variation in appearance.

How may a selected target area be searched with different parameters?

A new target area may be selected or the same target area may be searched with different parameters.

What are the two options if the target area cannot be located in the exemplar?

Systematic, cyclical, unknown, known

A _____, _____ approach will be performed to assess the targeted feature or details previously observed in the analysis phase for their correspondence or disagreement in the known print; this is a “back and forth” examination, working from the _____ to the _____.

Cumulative

The analyst formulates a conclusion that is based upon the _____ weight of the data.

1. Absolute value (i.e., ridge count)

2. Relative position (i.e., higher, lower, or adjacent to other features)

In what two ways are the spatial and group relationships of friction ridge features to each other determined?

Counting, tracing

The use of techniques such as ridge _____ and ridge _____ performed with respect to other friction ridge features in the immediate vicinity may be helpful to understand the cause and nature of the dissimilarity.

Tolerance

_____ is the limit to which the scientist can accept differences in the appearance of the friction ridge features between the latent print impression and the known print.

Surface, matrix

Determinations of tolerance are made based upon observation of the friction ridge features and their interaction with the _____/_____ as to the cause of the difference.

Clarity

The level of tolerance is set according to the degree of _____ exhibited by the latent print impression.

Lower

A greater degree of clarity depicted by the latent print impression permits a (higher/lower) level of tolerance.

Evaluation

_____ is the formulation of a conclusion based upon analysis and comparison of the latent print to a set of exemplar prints.

Iterative

The manual comparison process is often an _____ process; the scientist is repeatedly searching through the exemplar prints using revised search parameters to converge on an accurate conclusion.

All conclusions to all subjects

If the manual comparison process concludes without an identification, what is recorded in the notes and reported?

Comparisons to any other subjects are discontinued and only the identification is noted and reported

If the manual comparison process concludes with an identification, what is noted and reported?

Should

The examiner (should/should not) use all the known prints that are available for comparison.

Qualitative, quantitative

Determinations are made regarding the _____ and _____ agreement of the observed details in terms of their depicted image clarity and the examiner’s established tolerance levels.

Yes, regardless of whether or not an AFIS search results in an identification

Must conclusions to individuals manually compared prior to AFIS be documented in the notes?

Only the identification

If an AFIS search results in an identification, what is reported for the latent print?

Source identification

_____ is the conclusion that a latent print and an exemplar print were made by the same source.

Source identification

Which conclusion is the strongest degree of association between evidence and a known print?

Anatomical region, name

For each comparison resulting in a source identification, the notes will reflect the _____ _____ and the _____ of the individual identified.

Support for Same Source

_____ is the conclusion that the latent print has detail in agreement with the exemplar prints; however, it is insufficient to identify the source due to the quality or quantity of the detail in the latent print.

Support for Same Source and Support for Different Source

Any use of which conclusions shall include a statement of the factor(s) limiting a stronger conclusion?

Inconclusive

_____ results occur when the analyst cannot determine whether or not there is detail in agreement between a latent print and a set of exemplar prints and the analyst has determined that additional exemplars will not permit a definitive conclusion.

The name of the individual and the reason for the conclusion

For each comparison resulting in support for same source, support for different source, or an inconclusive result, the notes will reflect what two things?

Support for Different Source

_____ is the conclusion that the observed differences support that the latent print and exemplar prints were made by different sources; however, the selectivity of the lack of corresponding data is insufficient to support a source exclusion.

The latent impression lacks an anchor point or an obvious focal point, definitive orientation, and/or anatomical source.

Why might an analyst come to the conclusion of support for different source for an impression?

Source Exclusion

_____ is the conclusion that a latent print and a set of exemplar prints were made by different sources.

Anchor point

A latent must have an _____ _____ determined in order to render a conclusion of source exclusion.

• Core

• Delta

• Major crease

• Vestige

• Characteristic ridge flow

What features can be used as an anchor point?

Two

A source exclusion finding is declared when at least _____ target groups from different areas on the latent have sufficient features in disagreement.

The name of the individual(s) excluded

For each comparison resulting in a source exclusion, the notes will reflect what?

Incomplete

An _____ result will occur when the exemplar prints are inadequate in terms of quantity and/or quality of detail. Additional exemplars of the friction ridge skin will be required and may permit the analyst to reach a definitive conclusion.

The name of the individual and the additional exemplars needed to complete the comparison

For each comparison resulting in an incomplete result, the notes will reflect what two things?

Documentation should include the anatomical region where the agreement was observed through charted images or written description.

For a comparison resulting in incomplete, what is the proper documentation procedure if significant detail is found to be in agreement?

Not compared

_____ is a utility decision made for a particular exemplar or set of exemplars and does not include when multiple exemplars are being compared at the same time and an identification is made.

Lack of relevant exemplars, probative source identification, or probative database hit

Why might a latent print not be compared to exemplars?

Reason

For each exemplar not compared, the notes will reflect the _____.

True

True or False: Exemplars submitted that are not compared must be reported out as “not compared.”

False. Exemplars obtained from the Records Section that are not compared must be documented in the case record but are not required to be listed in the report as “not compared.”

True or False: Exemplars obtained from the Records Section that are not compared must be reported out as “not compared.”

• Sufficiency

• Anatomical region

• Orientation

• Target group selection

• Variability in appearance

• Search parameters

• Distortion interpretation

• AFIS quality

What are eight examples of consultations that may occur during the analysis or comparison phases?

Who was consulted, the latent prints involved, the date of consultation, and the result of the consultation

For consultations, what must the case notes reflect?

Verification

_____ is the independent check of a conclusion and must be performed prior to reporting (verbal or releasing report).

True

True or False: Verifications must be performed for all conclusions.

False

True or False: If a print is identified, other conclusions to the print still need to be verified.

The conclusion of the verifying scientist, the date of the conclusion, and the verifying scientist’s initials

For each latent print verified, the notes packet must reflect what three things?

Blind examination

An independent examination of one or more friction ridge impressions at any stage of the ACE-V process by another competent examiner who is provided with no or limited contextual information and has no expectation or knowledge of the determinations or conclusions of the original examiner.

• Sufficiency determinations

• Conclusions

• Verification decisions

Blind examination can be used to test the reproducibility of what three main things?

Situations where a single identification and/or single exclusion exists in casework or for complex print examinations

Blind examination may be used in what situations?

Conflict resolution

_____ _____ may be needed when examiners disagree on sufficiency decisions or comparison conclusions.

• The nature of the conflict

• The sufficiency and/or comparison conclusions of all examiners involved

• Image mark-ups of the data used to support the conclusions

• Dates and outcomes of consultation meetings

• Any changes to sufficiency decisions or comparison conclusions

For all conflict resolutions, documentation should include what five things?