Quality Assurance

Question 1

What measures do you have in place in your workplace to mitigate potential sources of bias?

Answer 1

We receive training which develops our awareness for potential sources of bias.

This includes carrying out a thorough analysis of the latent fingerprint prior to comparison, and when comparing two fingerprints, we are always looking for any features that do not correspond between the two fingerprints.

Question 2

What measures do you have in place in your workplace to mitigate potential sources of error?

Answer 2

We receive training which develops our awareness for potential sources of error, and we follow standard operating procedures that outline the best practice for carrying out particular examinations.

This includes producing working notes which document fingerprint examinations, and ensuring that all fingerprint identifications are verified before they are disclosed.

I personally make sure to carefully review all documentation prior to submitting a file for verification, and again whilst preparing it for disclosure.

Question 3

Have you made an error before?

Answer 3

I have made documentational errors before; however, I have always picked up on these errors before disclosing the results of my fingerprint examination.

Question 4

Are you aware of an error rate for fingerprint identification?

Answer 4

I am not aware of a confirmed error rate for the fingerprint identification methodology; however, I do believe it’s a current topic of research.

Studies, including Ulery’s black box study, and the Miami Dade study, which have attempted to calculate an error rate, have calculated it to be around 0.1% - however, these studies also found that this figure was close to zero when the verification step was included.

Question 5

What are the chances you have incorrectly identified the fingerprints before us?

Answer 5

This identification is not based on probability, but is my expert opinion which is based on extensive training, as well as the analysis and comparison of thousands of fingerprints.

This fingerprint identification has also been verified by two qualified fingerprint officers.

Question 6

What process is carried out when examiners disagree over a fingerprint identification?

Answer 6

We have standard operating procedures for situations where examiners disagree over the conclusions of a fingerprint identification; however, in this case, there were no disagreements in terms of my own conclusions and those made by the verifying examiners.

Question 7

Is fingerprint identification infallible?

Answer 7

No scientific method is infallible; however, with strict adherence to ACE-V and standard operating procedures, any errors during the fingerprint identification process may be prevented.

Question 8

Isn’t fingerprint identification just one person’s subjective opinion?

Answer 8

Fingerprint identifications are established based on the subjective opinion of not only the initial examiner, but also two other qualified fingerprint officers. And although subjective, it is an opinion that is formed based on the extensive training, knowledge, and experience of those three examiners.

Question 9

Are you aware of the McKie and Mayfield errors?

Answer 9

I am aware that bias played a significant role in causing these errors.

As part of the fingerprint officer training programme we receive training to identify and mitigate potential sources of bias. This includes:

Carrying out a thorough analysis of the latent fingerprint before comparing it to a known fingerprint.

Limiting unnecessary exposure to case information prior to analysing and comparing a latent fingerprint to a known fingerprint.

These factors ensure that the fingerprint identification process is guided predominantly by the information present in the latent fingerprint, therefore limiting the effects of bias.

Because I followed these procedures, I am confident that bias did not affect my judgements in relation to the fingerprint identifications before me.