1. Strengthening Forensic Science in the Impression and Pattern Evidence Disciplines: The Changing Landscape Seventh Annual Prescription for Criminal Justice Forensics (June 3, 2016) Gerry LaPorte Director National Institute of Justice Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences

2. Disclaimer Opinions or points of view expressed are those of the presenter and do not necessarily reflect the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice

3. National Institute of Justice: Office of Investigative and Forensic Science Lead federal agency for forensic science research and development as well as the administration of programs to improve laboratory efficiency, reduce backlogs, and provide technical assistance

4. Mission of NIJ’s Office of Investigative and Forensic Sciences To improve the quality and practice of forensic science through innovative solutions that support research and development, testing and evaluation, technology, and information exchange for the criminal justice community

5. National Research Council (NRC) Report (2015) - Support for Forensic Science Research: Improving the Scientific Role of the National Institute of Justice NRC was asked to evaluate NIJ’s role in bolstering the forensic sciences research infrastructure. In September 2015, the NRC issued their report and found:  NIJ has a unique and critical role among the diverse federal agencies working to positively impact the progress of forensic science because, unlike other agencies, NIJ has a mission focus on forensic science research and development.  The efforts of NIJ have: (1) restored authority that is appropriate for a science agency and addressed some previous concerns about NIJ’s independence; and (2) contributed to the building of a research infrastructure necessary to develop and sustain research that advances forensic science methods.

6. Forensic Science Impact Highlights NIJ has supported the forensic science community with over $825 million from 2009-2014 More than 370,000 DNA cases have been funded resulting in over 157,000 CODIS uploads and 62,000 CODIS Hits

7. Forensic Science Impact Highlights More than 42,000 cold cases reviewed resulting in over 2,000 CODIS uploads More than 54,000 postconviction cases reviewed resulting in 27 exonerations More than 1000 research presentations, publications, and final technical reports

8. NIJ Philosophy on Research and Development Accurate and reliable forensic science based on research will make a difference in individual lives, public safety, and in creating a more effective and fair justice system Research must be guided by rigorous peer review Research must be innovative and provide answers to basic research questions as well as practical, applied solutions Forensic science research requires diversified expertise through partnerships and collaborations 8

9. 9 Collaboration with Federal Agencies

10. NIJ Data: Forensic Science Research Culture is Changing The number of scientific publications resulting from NIJ supported research and development increased over 300% from projects awarded in 2007 compared to those awarded in 2012. The number of scientific presentations resulting from NIJ supported research and development increased over 400% from projects awarded in 2007 compared to those awarded in 2012.

11. Impression and Pattern Evidence Disciplines Friction Ridge Analysis (Latent Prints) Firearm & Tool Mark Examinations (FTE) Shoeprint and Tire Tread Evidence Questioned Documents/Handwriting Examinations Bloodstain Pattern Analysis (BPA) Misnomer: IPE Disciplines are ‘Comparison’ or ’Experienced-Based’ Disciplines

12. Other disciplines compare and rely on experience for interpretation

14. 1.Weller, T. J., et al, “Confocal Microscopy Analysis of Breech Face Marks on Fired Cartridge Cases from 10 Consecutively Manufactured Pistol Slides”, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 57, Number 4, July 2012, pp. 912-917. 2.Intelligent Automation, Incorporated, “A Statistical Validation of the Individuality of Guns Using High Resolution Topographical Images of Bullets”, National Institute of Justice Grant #2006-DN-BX-K030, October, 2010. 3.Fadul, T. G., et al, “An Empirical Study to Evaluate the Repeatability and Uniqueness of Striations / Impressions in Fired Cartridge Casings Fired in 10 Consecutively Manufactured Slides”, National Institute of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice Project Award No. 2009-DN-BX-K230. 4.Petraco D. K., et al, “Application of Machine Learning to Toolmarks: Statistically Based Methods for Impression Pattern Comparisons”, NIJ/NCJRS Document #239048, Award #2009-DN-BX-K041, July 2012 5.Thompson, R., Song J., Zheng A., and Yen J. “Cartridge Case Signature Identification Using Topography Measurements and Correlations: Unification of Microscopy and Objective Statistical Methods”, National Institute of Standards and Technology. 6.Petraco, D. K., et al, “Addressing the National Academy of Sciences’ Challenge: A Method for Statistical Pattern Comparison of Striated Tool Marks”, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 57, Number 4, July 2012, pp. 900-911. 7.Chumbly, L. S., et al, “Validation of Tool Mark Comparisons Obtained Using a Quantitative, Comparative, Statistical Algorithm” Journal of Forensic Sciences, Volume 55, Number 4, July 2010, Pp. 953-961. 8.Riva, F. and Champod C., “Automatic Comparison and Evaluation of Impressions Left by a Firearm on Fired Cartridge Cases”, Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 59, No. 3, May 2014, Pp. 637-647. 9.Song, J., et al, “Development of Ballistics Identification- from Image Comparison to Topography Measurement in Surface Metrology”, Measurement Science and Technology, Volume 23, Number 054010, March, 2012. Examples of Firearms and Toolmarks Research Since 2009

15. 1.Kellman, P.J., Mnookin, J.L., Erlikhman, G., Garrigan, P., Ghose, T., Mettler, E., Charlton, D., and Dror, I.E. (2014). Forensic Comparison and Matching of fingerprints: Using Quantitative Image Measures for Estimating Error Rates through Understanding and Predicting Difficulty. PLoS ONE 9(5): e94617. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone. 0094617. 2.Ulery, B.T., Hicklin, R.A., Buscaglia, J., Roberts, M. April 2011. A Study of the Accuracy and Reliability of Forensic Latent Fingerprint Examiners. Proceeding of the National Academies of Science. 3.Neumann, C., Champod, C., Yoo, M., Genessay, T., and Langenburg, G. (2013). Improving the Understanding and Reliability of the concept of "sufficiency" in Friction Ridge Examination. NIJ Report (Award 2010-DN-BX-K267). 4.Langenburg, G. (2009). A Performance Study of the ACE-V process; A Pilot study to measure the Accuracy, Precision, Reproducibility, Repeatability, and Bias-ability of Conclusions Resulting from the ACE-V process. Journal of Forensic Identification 59 (2):219-257. 5.Pacheco, I., Cerchiai, B., and Stoiloff, S. (2014). Miami Dade Research Study for the Reliability of the ACE-V Process: Accuracy & Precision in Latent Fingerprint Examinations. NIJ Report (2010-DN-BX-K268). 6.Langenburg, G, Champod, C., and Wertheim, P. (2009). Testing for potential Contextual Bias Effects During the Verification Stage of the ACE-V Methodology When Conducting Fingerprint Comparison. Journal of Forensic Sciences 54 (3): 571-582. 7.Busey, et al. (2011) Consistency and Variability Among Latent Print Examiners as Revealed by Eye Tracking Methodologies, JFI 61(1):60-91. 8.Neumann, C., Champod, C., Yoo, M., Genessay, T., and Langenburg, G. (2015). Quantifying the weight of fingerprint evidence through the spatial relationship, directions and types of minutiae observed on fingermarks. Forensic Science International 248 (2015) 154-171. Examples of Latent Print Research

16. Improving the Scientific Foundation of Latent Fingerprint Examinations

17. 1.The use of the likelihood ratio for evaluative and investigative purposes in comparative forensic handwriting examination F. Taroni, R. Marquis, M. Schmittbuhl, A. Biedermann, A. Thiéry, S. Bozza DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.08.007. Forensic Science International, Vol. 214, Issues 1-3, p189–194 Published online: September 12, 2011 2.Statistical evaluation of the influence of writing postures on on-line signatures. Study of the impact of time. A. Thiéry, R. Marquis, I. Montani. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.10.033. Forensic Science International, Vol. 230, Issues 1-3, p107–116. 3.Score-based likelihood ratios for handwriting evidence. Amanda B. Hepler, Christopher P. Saunders, Linda J. Davis, JoAnn Buscaglia. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2011.12.009. Forensic Science International, Vol. 219, Issues 1-3, p129–140. 4.Structural equation modelling of subjective measures with an application to forensic handwriting examination. R.D. Stoel, E. Van den Heuvel, L.C. Alewijnse. DOI:.http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2009.11.027. Science and Justice, Vol. 50, Issue 1, p31–32. 5.Proficiency testing and procedure validation for forensic document examination. Moshe Kam, Ph.D. Data Fusion Laboratory, Electrical and Computer Engineering Department. 6.Measuring the frequency occurrences in handwriting and hand printing characteristics. Johnson ME, Vastrick TW, Boulanger M and Shuetzner, EM. Journal of Forensic Science – Final Publication November 2016. 7.Statistical examination of handwriting characteristics using automated tools. Srihari, SN. April 2013 NIJ Award Number: 2010-DN- BX-K037. 8.Simulation detection in handwritten documents by forensic document examiners. Kam M, Abichandani P, and Hewett T. J Forensic Sci, July 2015 Vol 60(4): 936-41. 9.Validity, Reliability, Accuracy, and Bias in Forensic Signature Identification. Merlino M. NIJ Award Number: 2010-DN-BX-K271 Examples of Handwriting Research

18. What is the Real Challenge? Foundational Science? Methodology (e.g., standards)? Training Interpretation? Expressing Uncertainty? Expressing Confidence? Effectively communicating the strengths and limitations of the method? Effectively communicating conclusions/opinions?

19. GERRY LAPORTE, DIRECTOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF JUSTICE (NIJ) OFFICE OF INVESTIGATIVE AND FORENSIC SCIENCES GERALD.LAPORTE@USDOJ.GOV