Bias and Confirmation Bias in Fingerprint

Define Error Rate and list two ways that a fingerprint examiner errors can be discovered or prevented

Error rate is the amount/frequency of errors someone has.

Important to verify from multiple sources and examine the latent before observing the known

What are three types of errors fingerprints examiners can make

Clerical error -unintentional error in a document

Erroneous identification-Expert witness incorrectly identifies an innocent person as the perpetrator of a crime

Erroneous exclusion-incorrectly removal of a person, evidence or item from the process

According to Jon Byrd, what are two (no more than two) ways to avoid confirmation bias in a fingerprint lab?

Keep an open mind

Verify findings with another person

Which of the following statements is true about the Plaza case? Select all that apply.

The judge excluded testimony of an FBI fingerprint examiner regarding a fingerprint match

The judge stated that fingerprint identification does not meet Daubert standards

The judge later reversed his own opinion

The Plaza case was an armed robbery case

The judge

The co-defendant in this case was Brandon Mayfield

The judge excluded testimony of an FBI fingerprint examiner regarding a fingerprint match

The judge stated that fingerprint identification does not meet Daubert standards

The judge later reversed his own opinion

Which of the following statements is true about the Mayfield case? Select all that apply.

Mayfield was found guilty in the Madrid train bombing case

Mayfield's conviction was overturned because of faulty fingerprint testimony

The FBI incorrectly identified Mayfield's fingerprint on bomb shrapnel evidence

Several FBI examiners confirmed the identification

Confirmation bias was a factor in the misidentification

Mayfield was a terrorist

The FBI incorrectly identified Mayfield's fingerprint on bomb shrapnel evidence

Several FBI examiners confirmed the identification

Confirmation bias was a factor in the misidentification

Match the following...

A judgment that relies on empirical facts, and that can be externally verified: objective or subjective

A judgment that occurs inside the head, and that cannot be externally verified is considered: objective or subjective

Fingerprint identification is: objective or subjective

A judgment that relies on empirical facts, and that can be externally verified: Objective

A judgment that occurs inside the head, and that cannot be externally verified is considered: Subjective

Fingerprint identification is: Subjective + Objective (Considered Objective)

Which of the following statements is true about confirmation bias? Select all that apply.

It occurs subconsciously, and everyone has it

An easy way to avoid confirmation bias is to just keep an open mind

We should not hire fingerprint examiners who have bias

It occurs consciously, and not everyone has it

The Verifier (in ACE-V) should be informed of the first examiner's conclusion to avoid confirmation bias

It occurs subconsciously, and everyone has it

What is the name of the professional organization in the US that certifies fingerprint examiners?

American Academy of Forensic Sciences

California Association of Criminalists

International Association for Fingerprint Examiners

American Board of Criminalistics

None of these

None of These (Its the IAI)