Fingerprinting > Comparison Process > Flashcards

Comparison Process Flashcards

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1
Q

what is a fingerprint

A

an impression of the friciton ridges of all or nay part of the finger

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2
Q

what does SWGFAST stand for

A

scientific working group on friction ridge analysis, study, and technology

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3
Q

what is SWGFAST called no

A

OSAC (organization of scientific area committees)

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4
Q

what is level one detail

A
  • the overall pattern
  • plain whorl, tented arch etc
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5
Q

what are level two details

A
  • fingerprint characteristics
  • bifurication, dot etc
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6
Q

true/false identification can occur if level 1 and level 2 details are present and agree

A

true

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7
Q

what are level 3 details

A
  • ridge features
  • pores, edge shapes etc
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8
Q

true/false identification can occur with only level 3 details

A
  • False
  • cannot
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9
Q

what are some ridge features

A
  • pores
  • edge shapes
  • width
  • scars
  • incipient ridges
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10
Q

what are the elements of fingerprint theory

A

1) human friction ridge skin is unique
2) human friction ridge skin is persistent throughout the individuals lifetime except for disease, injury, drug use

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11
Q

true/false all 10 of your fingerprints are different from one another

A

true

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12
Q

true/false your fingerprints are different from everyone elses fingerprints

A

true

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13
Q

what do we use for the fingerprint comparison process

A

ACE-V

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14
Q

true/false ACE-V is a strictly linear process

A
  • FALSE
  • cause it may include a return to any previous phase
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15
Q

what does ACE-V stand fo

A
  • analysis
  • comparison
  • evaluation
  • verification
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16
Q

when did ACE-V first come to be

A
  • described in literature as a means of comparative analysis of evidence since 1959
  • initially for physical evidence
  • written by Huber
  • in 1980, RCMP staff sergeant Ashbaugh applied it to friction ridge identification
  • coined in “Ridgeology”
  • now its quite popular
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17
Q

describe the analysis step of ACE-V

A
  • first step
  • assessment of an unknown impression to determine suitability for comparison
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18
Q

what happens if the fingerprint is determined to not be suitable for comparison during the analysis step

A

the exam process ends

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19
Q

what do we consider during the analysis step

A

1) levels of detail present
2) clarity of print
basically sufficient quantity and quality of detail

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20
Q

true/false suitable and sufficient terms are used interchangeably

A

true

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21
Q

what examiner bench notes would be made in a notebook about unknown impression

A
  • level 1-3 details
  • substrate and matrix
  • deposition pressure and medium
  • anatomic aspects (finger)
  • lateral pressure/distortion
  • clarity (L/M/H)
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22
Q

what is the final formal report written based on

A

examiners bench notes

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23
Q

what are examiners bench notes

A

notes made in a notebook about unknown impression

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24
Q

what is written about the anatomical aspects in the analysis

A
  • how the object was handled and
  • the way the print was deposited
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25
what is written about the substrate in the analysis
- the type of surface on which the impression was located and - how it impacts the appearance of the fingerprint
26
what is written about the matrix in the analysis
- what material or medium was deposited on the substrate by the finger - *eg sweat in combo w oil, dirt, blood etc*
27
what is deposition pressure
assessment of downward pressure exerted by the finger on contact w the substrate
28
what is lateral/ pressure distortion
the assessment of movement of the finger while in contact w the substrate
29
a twisting motion is an example of what
lateral/ pressure distortion
30
what is clarity
the visual quality of the friction ridge detail
31
what can affect clarity
- **quality of...** - impression - the lift - the photo
32
describe the comparison step of ACE-V
- second step - observation of two or more impressions to determine the existence of discrepancies, dissimilarities, or similarities - work from unknown to known
33
**true/false** in comparison, you work from unknown to known
true
34
**true/false** in comparison, you work from known to unknown
false
35
the comparison should be conducted in an _____ manner
objective
36
what is the correct term for "match" for features
correspond
37
what is the correct term for not matching for features
discrepancies
38
when comparing do you start w level 1 or level 3 details
level 1
39
describe the evaluation step of ACE-V
- third step - assesses the value of the details observed during the analysis and comparison steps and reaches a conclusion
40
when is a conclusion made in ACE-V
evaluation
41
the conclusion is the opinion of the ____ and is _______ in nature
- examiner - subjective
42
is the evaluation quantitative or qualitative
both
43
what are the possible conclusions following evaluation
- **identification/ individualization** same source - **exclusion** not the same source - **inconclusive** unable to individualize or exclude
44
what is exclusion
The determination by an examiner that there is sufficient quality and quantity of detail in *disagreement* to conclude that two areas of friction ridge impressions did not originate from the same source
45
what is this :The determination by an examiner that there is sufficient quality and quantity of detail in *disagreement* to conclude that two areas of friction ridge impressions did not originate from the same source
exclusion
46
what is this: The determination by an examiner that there is neither sufficient agreement to individualize, nor sufficient disagreement to exclude.
inconclusive
47
what is inconclusive
The determination by an examiner that there is *neither* sufficient agreement to individualize, *nor* sufficient disagreement to exclude.
48
what is this: The determination by an examiner that there is sufficient quality and quantity of detail in continuous agreement to conclude that two friction ridge impressions originated from the same source
identification
49
what is identification
The determination by an examiner that there is sufficient quality and quantity of detail in continuous *agreement* to conclude that two friction ridge impressions originated from the same source
50
what are the names of each finger
- thumb, index, middle, ring, little - numbered 1-10 - start w thumb on right (1) - little finger of right is 5 - left thumb is 6 - left little is 10
51
how many min number of features/ characteristics are required to report identification
no predetermined number
52
how do we decide the min number of features to identify
- overall assessment of the quantity, quality, and rarity of the features - examiner relies on their training, experience, and knowledge - case by case basis - *typically 8-12 corresponding minutiae w no discrepancies*
53
the conclusion reached is the _____ of the examienr
opinion
54
describe the verification step of ACE-V
- final step - review and independent analysis of the conclusion of another examiner
55
what is verification sometimes called
second opinion
56
why is verification done
standard quality assurance protocol
57
**true/false** verification must be a blind process
- **false** - can be, but not mandatory
58
what is blind verification
- fingerprint comparison done - put together by third party - identifiers removed - contains unknown print and 4-5 sets of known - assigned member doesnt usually know reason for comparison package *(could be AFIS hit, suspect comparison, quality control etc)* - once assigned member is done, its assigned to a second member - returned to third party who reviews and passes along results
59
what are the pros to blind verification
- helps remove bias - more complete/ robust comparisons - reduces likelihood of errors not being caught - catches errors sooner in forensic side of investigations
60
what are the cons to blind verification
- longer times to complete comparisons - more pressure on examiners - conflict resolution
61
what is the purpose of the GYRO system
- purpose is to allow another examiner the ability *to understand the work that was completed* and interpret their findings - provides greater transparency
62
who developed GYRO
glenn langenburg and christophe champod
63
is GYRO done alongside ACE-V or in place of
alongside
64
what is GYRO
- colour coded system documents the level of certainty held by the examiner - signals the weight given to that particular feature for comparison
65
what is the expectation in GYRO
that feature located in unknown print will also be present in known print
66
what is the tolerance of GYRO
the analysts assessment of how willing they are to accept differences in appearance due to distortions when the feature in the latent print is compared to known
67
what is the uncertainty of GYRO
related to ideas of measurement error and precision
68
GYRO stands for what
Green-Yellow-Red-Orange
69
GYRO system conveys info regarding what
the *weighting* of the features and the *level* of confidence attached to the feature by the analyst
70
what does green in GYRO mean and how will it affect the analyst
- high confidence in the existence of that area of ridge detail being present in the unknown print - greater weight is placed on that feature during comparison - their tolerance level will be low regarding its appearance
71
what does yellow in GYRO mean and how will it affect the analyst
- medium level of confidence in the existence of that feature being present in the latent print - medium weight in comparison - medium level of expectation to see it
72
what does red in GYRO mean and how will it affect the analyst
- high level of uncertainty on the reliability of the feature - very low level of confidence in the existence of the feature - should be given minimal weight during comparison
73
what does orange in GYRO mean and how will it affect the analyst
- a feature not being initially observed in the analysis phase of the exam but in the comparison - exemplar prints are usually higher quality than unknown - issues of bias can occur by using exemplar print to find features in latent
74
what is one of the dangers of GYRO
- circular reasoning - confirmation bias
75
what is confirmation bias
the tendency to process info by looking for, or interpreting, info that is consistent w one's existing beliefs
76
**true/false** confirmation bias is always intentional
- **false** - can be unintentional
77
what is ninydrin
- a chemical that reacts w AA - when it contacts AA, the combo turns them a bright purple colour
78
what is the name of the colour that forms when ninhydrin reacts w AA
Ruhemann's purple
79
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