NCJ Number
246092
Journal
Journal of Forensic Sciences Volume: 58 Issue: 3 Dated: May 2013 Pages: 631-644
Date Published
May 2013
Length
14 pages
Annotation
It is often challenging to ascribe an objective measure of confidence for identifications based on surveillance imagery from a crime scene.
Abstract
It is often challenging to ascribe an objective measure of confidence for identifications based on surveillance imagery from a crime scene. The present work seeks to address this deficiency in the case of garment comparison evidence by developing a quantitative method for establishing a conservative lower bound on the likelihood ratio LR for identifications involving patterned garments. The method is based on statistical analysis of pattern offset measurements taken from a sample of garments of the same type manufacturer, style, and size as the seized evidence. The developed analysis framework was demonstrated on different types of garments over a range of modeled surveillance imaging scenarios with variable image quality; the lower bounds on the LRs ranged from approximately 10-1 to over 400-1. The statistical model was tested and validated through a large-scale empirical study involving both simulated and human observer-performed garment comparisons. Abstract published by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons.