NCJ Number
213063
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 56 Issue: 1 Dated: January/February 2006 Pages: 55-127
Date Published
January 2006
Length
73 pages
Annotation
This study examined the accuracy of latent print examiners during comparison training exercises.
Abstract
Results indicated that for participants with more than 1 year of experience, the erroneous individualization rate was 0.034 percent while the clerical error rate was 1.01 percent. The findings underscore the importance of appropriate safeguards for quality assurance. The 92 participants who had more than 1 year of experience made a total of 5,861 individualizations, 5,800 of which were correct. Of the 61 incorrect individualizations, 59 were due to clerical errors while only 2 were erroneous. Results of a follow-up experiment on the verification of the errors by 16 independent reviewers resulted in none of the errors being verified. Data for the first part of the experiment were obtained from 108 participants of a training exercise. Given the wide range of experience among the participants, researchers selected to use only those 92 participants who had more than 1 year of experience in latent print examination. Data included the number of comparisons performed, the number of correct individualizations, the number of erroneous individualizations, the number of clerical errors, and the quantity and quality of the information presented in the latent print exercises. In the follow-up experiment, 16 independent reviewers were given verification packets and the worksheet completed by the previous participants. Independent reviewers were directed to indicate whether they agreed or disagreed with the conclusions of the previous participants. Figures, tables, references