Screening Potential Latent Fingerprint Examiner Trainees: The Viability of Form Blindness Testing

• NCJ Number: 231270
• Journal: Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 60 Issue: 4 Dated: July/August 2010 Pages: 460-476
• Author(s): Dean J. Bertram; Philip E. Carlan; Jon S. Byrd; J. Levi White
• Date Published: July 2010
• Length: 17 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

This study used a sample of college students to explore the efficacy of form blindness as predictor of latent print examination success.

Abstract

This study examines form blindness testing as a predictor of latent print examination success among college students. Two form blindness tests and a latent fingerprint comparison test were administered to students trained (N=160) and untrained (N=167) in the science of fingerprinting. Six independent variables (pattern recognition test, form blindness scale, science and non-science major, grade point average, corrective vision, and age) were assessed to measure their influence (if any) on student performance on a latent fingerprint comparison test. Results showed that fingerprint training does assist (to some degree) form-blind individuals; however, fingerprint comparison scores were still significantly lower for students with increasing form blindness, even after controlling for the influences of age, corrective vision, grade point average, and science major. From the results, the authors conclude that form blindness testing does appear to be an efficient tool for the recruitment and selection of fingerprint comparison trainees. Tables and references (Published Abstract)