Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Evidence (OSAC) is developing documentary standards for each forensic discipline. Standards under consideration as well as approved standards are available in the OSAC Registry.
Fingerprints
American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board Documents
The AAFS Standards Board develops documentary standards for forensics through a consensus process, involving participation by all directly and materially affected persons. Standards are being developed for each forensic discipline.
American Academy of Forensic Sciences Standards Board DocumentsRead More
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Latent Print Discipline
Effective Aug. 15, 2020 In the fingerprint Uniform Language for Testimony and Reports (ULTR), the new guidance for Department of Justice fingerprint examiners includes: [A]n examiner shall not: assert that a ‘source identification’ or a ‘source exclusion’ conclusion is based on the ‘uniqueness’ of an item of evidence. use the terms ‘individualize’ or ‘individualization’ when …
Approved ULTR for the Forensic Latent Print DisciplineRead More
CSAFE 2020: Latent Print Analysis
This presentation, now available to view for free, was given as a part of the Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Evidence’s (CSAFE) 2020 All Hands Meeting. The meeting brings together researchers, forensic partners, and interested community members to discover potential areas for collaboration, highlight the organization’s achievements, and discuss goals for the future. …
State v. Koiyan, 841 S.E.2d 351 (2020)
The Court of Appeals found that the trial court erred in admitting testimony of the state’s fingerprint examiner where the expert failed to show he applied reliably applied the relevant methods and principles to the case, in violation of N.C. Evid. Rule 702(a)(3). Because the defendant failed to object at trial, the issue was reviewed …
Noteworthy NC COA fingerprint opinion
Defenders should take note of State v. Koiyan, COA19-951, an April 7, 2020 decision where the NC Court of Appeals found that the trial court erred by admitting fingerprint testimony where the examiner “failed to demonstrate that he ‘applied the principles and methods reliably to the facts of the case,’ as required by Rule 702(a)(3).” …
OSAC’s Friction Ridge Subcommittee Develops Friction Ridge Process Map
The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science’s Friction Ridge Subcommittee has developed a friction ridge examination process map that describes the conventional process for latent print examination. The process map identifies key decision points in the fingerprint examination process, enables laboratory managers to better understand how their protocols compare with those of other laboratories, …
OSAC’s Friction Ridge Subcommittee Develops Friction Ridge Process MapRead More
Fingerprint analysis is high-stakes work — but it doesn’t take much to qualify as an expert
Latent Fingerprint Essentials Webinar
Stetson University College of Law National Clearinghouse for Science, Technology and the Law will present a complimentary forensic science webinar on Monday, September 16, 2019 12:00-2:00 p.m. EST. Dr. William C. Thompson will present Latent Fingerprints Essentials, focusing on: An overview of the forensic science discipline Legal concerns and what attorneys should know about latent …
Fingerprints and Miscarriages of Justice: ‘Other’ Types of Error and A Post-Conviction Right to Database Searching
This July 2018 article by Simon Cole and Barry Scheck provides a systematic and comprehensive examination of “other” types of error in friction ridge analysis beyond erroneous identifications, including 40 publicly-exposed cases containing these errors. The article also calls for access to post-conviction database searching of fingerprint and other forensic databases.
Heidi Eldridge
DPS crime lab employee arrested for theft of ammunition and weapon accessories (AZ)
Cook County Motion to Exclude Fingerprint Identification
2018 Motion to Exclude testimony about fingerprint “identification” because it is scientifically indefensible, will overstate the probative value of fingerprint evidence and unduly prejudice the Defense, and mislead the trier of fact.
Cook County Motion to Exclude Fingerprint IdentificationRead More
State v. Rudolph
Northern District of Alabama (Daubert jurisdiction) Motion to Exclude Testimony of Forensic Fingerprint Examiner – includes a comprehensive history of what scientific validation has and has not been completed for this field. Critiques the lack of uniform standards. Critiques analysis of small or distorted latent prints. Affidavit of Simon Cole – This expert in the field of …
State v. Zajac
District Court for the District of Utah, Central Division Zajac Order – granted in part and denied in part the Defendant’s motion to exclude fingerprint evidence. Important example of how the language used by the fingerprint examiner can be limited. Memo in Support of Defendant’s Motion to Exclude Fingerprint Evidence