Deck 17: Fingerprint Comparisons: Point Counting, Error Rates and Statistics

Question 1

What is the minimum point standard for an identification conclusion in the United States?

Answer 1

a. There is no minimum point standard, because there is no basis in the scientific literature that justifies a minimum point standard
b. Some countries still have a minimum point standard

Question 2

What is the average minimum point standard in countries that have one?

Answer 2

8-12 minutiae on average

Question 3

What are the qualitative characteristics that contribute to making an identification conclusion?

Answer 3

a. Consistent ridge flow
b. Observable patterns
c. Ridge count
d. Absence of minutiae in an area
e. 3^rd level details

Question 4

What do the red zone and green zone in the sufficiency graph indicate?

Question 5

What does it mean to have a "borderline sufficient" latent print, and where on the sufficiency graph would that be indicated?

Question 6

What is an error rate?

Question 7

as a scientist, it is crucial to communicate the limitations of ones findings.

Question 8

List six possible sources of error in the case of an erroneous identification:

Question 9

What error rate did the Miami-Dade study determine with regards to erroneous identifications?

Question 10

What is a "black box" study?

Question 11

What were the conclusions of the black box studies into fingerprint comparisons?

Question 12

The erroneous exclusion error rate determined by both the Miami-Dade study and the black box study was 7.5%.

Question 13

Why is it important to be aware of the error rates associated with fingerprint analysis?

Question 14

What is a "white box" study?

Question 15

What white box studies are currently being conducted with regards to fingerprint examiners?

Question 16

Why is it beneficial to develop a probability model for forensic examinations?

Question 17

Is there currently a standardized statistical model for calculating the strength of a fingerprint conclusion?

Question 18

FRStat is a statistical analysis program in use throughout the United States for fingerprint examinations.

Question 19

What were the FBI's recommendations with regards to eliminating erroneous identifications in the wake of the Madrid error?