The statistical analysis of fingerprint has been intensively discussed in the literature and at conferences in the past 20 years. Legal and scientific scholars have focused on the use of statistics and probability theory to quantify the probative value of fingerprint evidence, and for providing logical support to the inference of the source of fingermarks. This is reflected in the recent ENFSI standard for conclusions that demands that forensic conclusions be expressed as “likelihood ratios”. While the determination of the probative value of fingerprint comparisons is certainly important, statistical analysis of fingerprints can provide a much wider range of information to forensic scientists, quality assurance managers and courts. During this webinar, we will review some work recently done on the perception of the “sufficiency”, in terms of quantity and quality of fingerprint features, by examiners forming conclusions and we will show how statistical analysis of fingerprint can provide a layer of transparency in the determination of sufficiency, and help manage workload and workflow within a laboratory. No prior knowledge of statistics will be necessary to attend this webinar as it will focus on practical and concrete applications rather than the underlying statistical methodology.
The European Division of the International Association for Identification