Identification 2

Question 1

How many characteristics is needed for an ID through the eras?

Answer 1

• Locard presented his tripartite rule in 1914 saying that more than 12 clear points establishes certainty
• In 1924 New Scotland Yard adopted a policy requiring 16 points (With some exceptions)
• Some time prior to 1958 FBI abandoned the practice of requiring a set number of points
  -1973 Internation Association for Identification (IAI) passed a resolution that “no valid basis exists at this time for
  requiring that a predetermined minimum number of friction ridge characteristics
  must be present in two impressions in order to establish positive identification”.

Question 2

Quantitative-qualitative threshold created by?

Answer 2

Vanderkolk, 1999 and 2001

Question 3

Areas of quantitative and qualitative threshold

Answer 3

• White areas (corners) = Sufficient detail of disagreement or agreement
• Grey area = doubtful area where it is close but not enough information
• Black area (center) = Insufficient

X-Axis = Quantity
y-Axis = Quality

Question 4

Can footprints be used for individualisation?

Answer 4

Yes. The formation and configuration of ridged skin on the underside of feet (plantar),
develops the same as the underside of hands. As such, this friction skin can also
be used to individualise people.

Question 5

Two examples of NZ cases where footprints were used for identification

Answer 5

• Palmerston North 2014
  Sexual assualts where a suspect through DNA was arrested and footprints were asked to be taken and then later matched
• Easter 1999 Raymond Mullins
  Attacked in his home above the auto repair garage. He was dragged down through the garage where the body was found and so was footprints

Question 6

Parts of the foot starting from heel to toe

Answer 6

• Calcar
• Thenar (Tibial side)
• Hypothenar (Fibular side, also going proximal to distal)
• Hallucal (Ball of foot)
• Then four interedigital areas Hallucal/I then II,III, IV (Found inbetween deltas)

Question 7

Ridge flow patterns on feet

Answer 7

• Rare to find whorl in the interdigital areas, normally arch or loop patterns
• Hallucal area can have four patterns: whorls, loops, tended arches and open fields
• Calcar is normally open fields but usually has vestige deviations towards the calcar edges

Question 8

Why do we analyse before comparison?

Answer 8

Best practice advises that we first examine an unknown print, it should always be
analysed first before comparison to the known (exemplar) print. This ensures
objectivity and prevents bias in the mind from previously stored images in your
memory of the known print.

Question 9

During comparison what information do you compare?

Answer 9

• Sequential (intervening counts between characteristics)
• Spatial arrangements (e.g. Above, below, left or right of a core, downwards opening bifurcation, etc.)
• Configurations (e.g. type of features, such as ending ridge, bifurcation etc.)

Question 10

Variations in appearance

Answer 10

• Surface (substrate)
• The manner by which ridge skin touches a surface
• Skin conditions
• Transferred residue
• Variation in temperature of surface touches (environmental)
• Development
  -Preservation
  -Packaging

Question 11

How can we reduce bias during ACE-V

Answer 11

• Do analysis first
• Compare between latent print before going to known print
• Complex verifications