Methods Manual - AFIS

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

A laboratory instrument that can be used to perform searches of inked, latent, and deceased finger and palm prints for identification within the State of Ohio database. It provides candidate lists and images for comparison to aid in identification of certain cases.

• Distinguishable pattern type

• Impression must meet sufficiency criteria, and minutiae must be easily discernible

• Encodable minutiae should form a cluster

What are the three criteria for database search/entry?

The impression must have robust and highly discriminating features present.

What must be true for latent prints that contain an isolated delta to be searched in AFIS?

False

True or False: It is recommended to search impressions containing a pattern force area.

Latent Case Management System (LCMS)

Entry of impressions for searching is done through the _____.

• BCI case number

• Investigating agency

• Date of crime

• ORC

What four things must be included in each case added to the LCMS?

• File

• Folder

• Camera/DSLR

• Scan

What are the four different tools that can be used to capture a new evidence image in LCMS?

Calibrated

Prior to selecting a latent for search, the image must be _____.

• Placement and rotation of core

• Placement and direction of minutiae markers

• Clarity and reliability of minutiae marked

• Zoning of unused or unreliable areas

• Selection of search tolerance

• Target database

What six aspects must be considered when marking an impression and running a search?

In the most likely position.

If position or orientation of a fingerprint is unknown or not visible, where should you place the core/axis?

Because palms only have one feature extraction type

Why should you avoid marking features such as crossovers, dots, and small independent ridges if possible when encoding palmprints?

• Abnormally terminated local searches (status: abort)

• Routine system maintenance that may impact search results

What are two reasons for running a quality check on the system?

Manual

Candidates produced by _____ searches are to be compared with the latent print until the list is exhausted or a candidate is identified.

Auto

Candidates produced by _____ searches are to be compared until a candidate is identified or the first 3 candidates are compared.

A manual search

If no candidate for comparison is generated from an auto search, what must be done?

True

True or False: All manual database search results, where no hit is identified, are reviewed by a qualified peer during technical review.

• Core/axis placement

• Encoded minutiae

• Zoning

• Search tolerance

• Database selection

What five criteria are considered when database search results are reviewed by a qualified peer during technical review?

In the case record

Where are all candidate lists retained?

• Which impressions were searched

• The database queried

• The results of the search

• If any impressions were registered in the Unsolved Latent Print Database

Case notes must show what four things?

• Number of impressions searched

• The database(s) queried

• If a candidate was produced from a search

• If any impressions were registered in the ULDB

Laboratory reports must include what four things?

• The victim has been eliminated from the latent print (if possible)

• The latent print must meet the minimum sufficiency criteria for comparisons

• The latent print must meet the minimum AFIS entry criteria

• The latent print is probative to the investigation

What are the four criteria for registering unidentified impressions in the ULDB?

A scientist must request the original evidence to be returned for re-exam before releasing any information regarding the potential identification.

What must be done if a hit is made in the ULDB, and the digital image was not previously archived in ADAMS?

• When a print is identified and verified

• In accordance to the established statute of limitations associated with the offense type

In what two situations are ULDB entries removed from the database?

Upon completion of all impressions being searched with no ULDB impressions

When should an LCMS case be closed?

True

True or False: No case shall be closed or transaction manually purged in Job Queue prior to verification, technical review, or administrative review of the case in LIMS.net.