THE FORENSIC ANALYSIS, COMPARISON AND EVALUATION OF FRICTION RIDGE SKIN IMPRESSIONS An accessible, highly practical introduction to the ACE framework fingerprint examiners use to analyse, compare and evaluate friction ridge skin impressions. When friction ridge skin (the skin on the undersides of the hands and feet) contacts a surface an impression of it may be left behind. Impressions that are left inadvertently, for example at a scene where a crime is alleged to have been committed are known as ‘marks’. Impressions taken intentionally from a person, for example as a result of their arrest are known as ‘prints’. The Forensic Analysis, Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Skin Impressions offers step-by-step instruction to examiners tasked with identifying people by the marks they leave behind. Assuming no previous knowledge of the subject, this easy-to-use guide breaks down the ACE (Analysis, Comparison and Evaluation) framework into 10 key questions that provide clear guidance on: establishing the most evidentially valuable mark; the type of details the mark may reveal; the effects of distortion; how to determine which area of skin is most likely to have made the mark, and more. Author Dan Perkins draws upon his years of experience to equip fingerprint examiners with the key skills needed to carry out the appropriate analysis, comparison and evaluation of friction ridge skin impressions. Presents a stepwise approach designed for both novice and more experienced fingerprint examiners Discusses all aspects of ACE, including the formation of fingerprints, documentation, suitability, and orientation Contains references to relevant research, real-world case studies, and hundreds of impressions the reader can analyse and compare Includes five detailed appendices covering fabrication, transplantation and forgery, verification, bias, activity level propositions, and errors The Forensic Analysis, Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Skin Impressions is an indispensable ACE ‘checklist’ for trainees in the field of fingerprint comparison and identification, qualified fingerprint examiners and forensic science students.

Since its publication, the first edition of Fingerprints and Other Ridge Skin Impressions has become a classic in the field. This second edition is completely updated, focusing on the latest technology and techniques—including current detection procedures, applicable processing and analysis methods—all while incorporating the expansive growth of literature on the topic since the publication of the original edition. Forensic science has been challenged in recent years as a result of errors, courts and other scientists contesting verdicts, and changes of a fundamental nature related to previous claims of infallibility and absolute individualization. As such, these factors represent a fundamental change in the way training, identifying, and reporting should be conducted. This book addresses these questions with a clear viewpoint as to where the profession—and ridge skin identification in particular—must go and what efforts and research will help develop the field over the next several years. The second edition introduces several new topics, including Discussion of ACE-V and research results from ACE-V studies Computerized marking systems to help examiners produce reports New probabilistic models and decision theories about ridge skin evidence interpretation, introducing Bayesnet tools Fundamental understanding of ridge mark detection techniques, with the introduction of new aspects such as nanotechnology, immunology and hyperspectral imaging Overview of reagent preparation and application Chapters cover all aspects of the subject, including the formation of friction ridges on the skin, the deposition of latent marks, ridge skin mark identification, the detection and enhancement of such marks, as well the recording of fingerprint evidence. The book serves as an essential reference for practitioners working in the field of fingermark detection and identification, as well as legal and police professionals and anyone studying forensic science with a view to understanding current thoughts and challenges in dactyloscopy.

The idea of The Fingerprint Sourcebook originated during a meeting in April 2002. Individuals representing the fingerprint, academic, and scientific communities met in Chicago, Illinois, for a day and a half to discuss the state of fingerprint identification with a view toward the challenges raised by Daubert issues. The meeting was a joint project between the International Association for Identification (IAI) and West Virginia University (WVU). One recommendation that came out of that meeting was a suggestion to create a sourcebook for friction ridge examiners, that is, a single source of researched information regarding the subject. This sourcebook would provide educational, training, and research information for the international scientific community.

Scores of talented and dedicated people serve the forensic science community, performing vitally important work. However, they are often constrained by lack of adequate resources, sound policies, and national support. It is clear that change and advancements, both systematic and scientific, are needed in a number of forensic science disciplines to ensure the reliability of work, establish enforceable standards, and promote best practices with consistent application. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward provides a detailed plan for addressing these needs and suggests the creation of a new government entity, the National Institute of Forensic Science, to establish and enforce standards within the forensic science community. The benefits of improving and regulating the forensic science disciplines are clear: assisting law enforcement officials, enhancing homeland security, and reducing the risk of wrongful conviction and exoneration. Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States gives a full account of what is needed to advance the forensic science disciplines, including upgrading of systems and organizational structures, better training, widespread adoption of uniform and enforceable best practices, and mandatory certification and accreditation programs. While this book provides an essential call-to-action for congress and policy makers, it also serves as a vital tool for law enforcement agencies, criminal prosecutors and attorneys, and forensic science educators.

Forensic Fingerprints, the latest in the Advanced Forensic Science Series which grew out of the recommendations from the 2009 NAS Report: Strengthening Forensic Science: A Path Forward, serves as a graduate level text for those studying and teaching fingerprint detection and analysis, and will also prove to be an excellent reference for forensic practitioner libraries and for use in casework. Coverage includes fingerprint science, friction ridge print examination, AFIS, foot and palm prints, and the professional issues practitioners may encounter. Edited by a world-renowned leading forensic expert, this book is a long overdue solution for the forensic science community. - Provides basic principles of forensic science and an overview of interpretation and comparative methods - Contains information on the chemistry of print residue and the visualization of latent prints - Covers fingerprint science, friction ridge print examination, AFIS, and foot and palm prints - Includes a section on professional issues, from crime scene to court, lab reports, health and safety, and certification - Incorporates effective pedagogy, key terms, review questions, discussion questions, and additional reading suggestions

Every action performed by a crime scene investigator has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context. It is imperative that crime scene investigators must understand their mandate—not only as an essential function of their job but because they have the immense responsibility and duty to do so. Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition provides the essential tools for what crime scene investigators need to know, what they need to do, and how to do it. As professionals, any investigator’s master is the truth and only the truth. Professional ethics demands an absolute adherence to this mandate. When investigators can effectively seek, collect, and preserve information and evidence from the crime scene to the justice system—doing so without any agenda beyond seeking the truth— not only are they carrying out the essential function and duty of their job, it also increases the likelihood that the ultimate goal of true justice will be served. Richly illustrated—with more than 415 figures, including over 300 color photographs—the Third Edition of this best-seller thoroughly addresses the role of the crime scene investigator in the context of: Understanding the nature of physical evidence, including fingerprint, biological, trace, hair and fiber, impression, and other forms of evidence Assessing the scene, including search considerations and dealing with chemical and bioterror hazards Crime scene photography; scene sketching, mapping, and documentation; and the role of crime scene analysis and reconstruction Bloodstain pattern analysis and discussion of the body as a crime scene Special scene considerations, including fire, buried bodies, and entomological evidence Coverage details the importance of maintaining objectivity, emphasizing that every action the crime scene investigator performs has an underlying purpose: to both recover evidence and capture scene context. Key features: Outlines the responsibilities of the responding officer, from documenting and securing the initial information to providing emergency care Includes three new chapters on light technology and crime scene processing techniques, recovering fingerprints, and castings Addresses emerging technology and new techniques in 3-D Laser scanning procedures in capturing a scene Provides a list of review questions at the end of each chapter Practice Crime Scene Processing and Investigation, Third Edition includes practical, proven methods to be used at any crime scene to ensure that evidence is preserved, admissible in court, and persuasive. Course ancillaries including PowerPoint® lecture slides and a Test Bank are available with qualified course adoption.

The only A–Z reference work on forensic science, one of the most intriguing and exciting fields in criminological studies. From dandruff to DNA, from ammunition to infrared spectrophotometry, forensic scientists employ the commonplace and the esoteric to get their man or woman. Forensic Science is the only comprehensive reference work accessible to nonexperts on this fast-changing and ever-fascinating field of criminological study. Readers will learn how the latest scientific breakthroughs and the well-honed instincts of forensics experts come together to provide the clues and amass the evidence to bring America's most notorious criminals to justice. From famous firsts in forensics to possible future developments in the science, the expert team of contributors put together by William Tilstone, executive director of the National Forensic Science Technology Center, examines techniques and technologies, key cases, critical controversies, and ethical and legal issues.

The Advanced Forensic Science Series grew out of the recommendations from the 2009 NAS Report: "Strengthening Forensic Science: A Path Forward." This volume, Firearm and Toolmark Examination and Identification, will serve as a graduate-level text for those studying and teaching firearm and toolmark examination and identification. It will also prove an excellent reference for forensic practitioner's libraries or use in their casework. Coverage includes a wide variety of tools and toolmarks, analysis of gunshots, ammunition, gunshot wounds and professional issues they may encounter. - Provides basic principles of forensic science and an overview of firearms and toolmarks - Contains information on a wide variety of tools and toolmarks - Covers the analysis and interpretation of gunshots, ammunition and gunshot wounds - Includes a section on professional issues, such as: from crime scene to court, lab reports, and health and safety - Incorporates effective pedagogy, key terms, review questions, discussion question and additional reading suggestions

Focusing on the thought-provoking, contemporary issues that underscore the challenging world of policing, this easy-to-understand text balances theory, research, and practice to give students a comprehensive overview of both the foundations of policing and the expanded role of today’s police officers. The engaging writing style and stories from the field, coupled with unique coverage of the issues of policing in multicultural communities the impact of globalization on policing, make this book a must have for policing courses

Fingerprint examiners today are expected to develop, research and defend the scientific basis of their conclusions. Recent emphasis placed on scientific rigor and transparency through documentation has created a culture shift in the field. Many examiners are baffled by the resulting cultural, procedural and scientific distinctions, often becoming overwhelmed when required to testify as an expert witness to explain such concepts in the courtroom. Courtroom Testimony for Fingerprint Examiners addresses all aspects of courtroom testimony as the first book to focus solely on testifying on fingerprint evidence as a comparative science. The book is presented in two parts. Section I addresses general expert witnessing for forensic scientists. This serves as a primer for the novice or a review for experienced witnesses covering such topics as the structure of the criminal justice system and federal rules of evidence, the role of the expert witness, testimony as teaching, presenting challenging scientific concepts to the layperson, court preparation, the three phases of expert witness testimony and landmark court decisions that have shaped the modern landscape of forensic testimony. Section II focuses on specific issues affecting fingerprint examiners and how to field questions during both direct and cross-examination. While such "hot button" topics are absent from currently available texts, this section pays particular attention to these salient, emerging topics. This includes evidentiary challenges to fingerprint evidence, relevant publications such as the PCAST report, nomenclature and standards development, issues surrounding cognitive bias and subjectivity, probability models, error rates and cases of error and how to address issues of minimum point standards in both the empirical and holistic traditions. Both Section I and Section II provide examples and present innovations applicable to latent and tenprint examiners. Features include: Presents a history of fingerprint evidence and current best practices and limits on characterizing fingerprint evidence in court, including appropriate nomenclature Provides current guidelines and recommendations for standards and the courtroom Illustrates how experts can work with attorneys so that the testimony process educates and informs jurors and judges rather than perpetuating an adversarial dynamic Addresses important issues such as cognitive bias, subjectivity, error rates, probability models and ethics As a forensic training instructor for professionals – and previously as a college professor – author Hillary Moses Daluz has spent the past ten years teaching courtroom testimony courses to forensic scientists. Courtroom Testimony for Fingerprint Examiners offers an invaluable resource to forensic scientists, latent print examiners, tenprint examiners, lab personnel in related comparative fields, attorneys, investigative professionals and students enrolled in forensic science university programs.