The most consistent finding in forensic science is inconsistency

Journal of Forensic Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 68(6), С. 1851 - 1855

Опубликована: Сен. 2, 2023

The most consistent finding in many forensic science domains is inconsistency (i.e., lack of reliability, reproducibility, repeatability, and replicability). consistency a major problem, both from scientific criminal justice point view. Examining conclusion data, across domains, highlights the underlying cognitive issues offers better understanding challenges. Such insights enable development ways to minimize these inconsistencies move forward. aim highlight so that it can be minimized reliability evidence improved.

Язык: Английский

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The influence of perceived difficulty, availability of marks, and examination time on the conclusions of firearms examiners

Journal of Forensic Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 14, 2025

Abstract Concurrent with studies on the accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of decisions based comparisons fired bullet cartridge cases, we also collected opinions participating examiners as to characteristics specimens provided difficulty making comparisons. Examiners rated ease which they determined every conclusion (easy, average, hard) estimated qualitatively amount visual information available them in determining a (limited, some, extensive). Comparisons deemed hard were perceived generally have somewhat fewer markings conducive for assessment, while where limited produced larger number inconclusive determinations. Perceived increased wider separation firing order (within or between three defined segments 700–850 total firings). The repeatability these qualitative assessments exceeded 60% their average was ~50%. Examination times did not vary significantly when rendering identification, elimination, inconclusive, although identifications appear taken slightly longer than those cases. Hard comparisons, limited, treated substantially differently from any other types comparison. No correlation found attempted. These results tend contradict assertions by critics that are tempted declare save time avoid an elimination identification conclusion, non‐representative casework, affected degree examiner participation.

Язык: Английский

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Reliability and Agreement of Free Web-Based 3D Software for Computing Facial Area and Volume Measurements

BioMedInformatics, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 4(1), С. 690 - 708

Опубликована: Март 1, 2024

Background: Facial surgeries require meticulous planning and outcome assessments, where facial analysis plays a critical role. This study introduces new approach by utilizing three-dimensional (3D) imaging techniques, which are known for their ability to measure areas volumes accurately. The purpose of this is introduce evaluate free web-based software application designed take area volume measurements on 3D models patient faces. Methods: employed the online conduct ten subjects, including five volume. These were then compared with those obtained from established modeling called Blender (version 3.2) using Bland–Altman plot. To ensure accuracy, intra-rater inter-rater reliabilities evaluated Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) method. Additionally, statistical assumptions such as normality homoscedasticity rigorously verified before analysis. Results: found that showed high agreement within 95% confidence limits. Moreover, demonstrated excellent reliability in most analyses, indicated ICC test. Conclusion: findings suggest reliable analysis, particularly measuring volumes. indicates its potential utility enhancing surgical evaluation surgeries. underscores software’s capability improve outcomes integrating precise into surgery assessment processes.

Язык: Английский

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A call for open science in forensics

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 121(24)

Опубликована: Май 23, 2024

The modern canon of open science consists five “schools thought” that justify unfettered access to the fruits scientific research: i) public engagement, ii) democratic right access, iii) efficiency knowledge gain, iv) shared technology, and v) better assessment impact. Here, we introduce a sixth school: due process. Due process under law includes “discovery” by defendant potentially exculpatory evidence held prosecution. When such is scientific, becomes Constitutional mandate for science. To illustrate significance this new school, present case study from forensics, which centers on federally funded investigation reports summary statistics indicating identification decisions made forensic firearms examiners are highly accurate. Because growing concern about validity methods, larger community called release complete analyzable dataset independent audit verification. Those in possession data opposed three years while were used prosecutors gain admissibility criminal trials. paint an incomplete picture hint at flaws experimental design analysis. Under circumstances, withholding underlying proceeding violates Following successful open-science model drug testing through “clinical trials,” place strict requirements timing release, argue registered “forensic trials” ensure transparency accountability.

Язык: Английский

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Why the post-identification era is long overdue: Commentary on the current controversy over forensic feature comparison as applied to forensic firearms examination

The International Journal of Evidence & Proof, Год журнала: 2024, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Сен. 5, 2024

In this commentary, we critically review recurring arguments for and against the discipline of forensic feature comparison as applied to firearms examination from various commentators within outside science. One mainstream criticisms that address, among others, is field cannot demonstrate sufficient proficiency robustness based on empirical (i.e., black-box) studies. While lack empirically demonstrated examiner a valid concern powerful concept in short term (e.g., admissibility proceedings), many critics reduce their discussion solely need measure through error rates. However, exclusive focus aggregate expert performance metrics, here referred diagnosticism, remains surface-level perspective. It provides an incomplete account because these metrics do not represent—but are often confused with—the notion evidentiary value findings, i.e., observations made examined items individual cases. We argue diagnosticism should be contrasted complemented with selectivity, diagnostic capacity observed marks features items. scientists report probed ability quantify selectivity probative findings). By ceasing express source attribution opinions (identification/individualisation), which now widely exposed unscientific, disciplines could move further into long-awaited post-identification era pioneered by other fields such genetics.

Язык: Английский

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Challenges in Modeling, Interpreting, and Drawing Conclusions from Images as Forensic Evidence

Statistics and data science in imaging., Год журнала: 2024, Номер 1(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Язык: Английский

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The Boundary of Artificial Intelligence in Forensic Science

Dialogo, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 10(1), С. 83 - 90

Опубликована: Ноя. 27, 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to revolutionize forensic science by enhancing evidence analysis and aiding in crime-solving. This paper explores AI applications fields, focusing on DNA mixture analysis, the cause of death diagnosis, challenges faces science. It addresses limitations science, emphasizing necessity for transparent systems used ethically. Forensic errors are often not due misclassification scientists but stem from incompetence, fraud, weak scientific foundations, or organizational deficiencies, resulting wrongful convictions. Systemic issues like dependence presumptive tests inadequate defense contribute errors. Inconsistencies plague various domains including fingerprint analysis. Establishing standardized analytical procedures can enhance consistency credibility anthropology, pathology, genetics, statistics explored, with a focus their potential challenges.

Язык: Английский

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Methodological problems in every black-box study of forensic firearm comparisons

Law Probability and Risk, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 23(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 1, 2024

Abstract Reviews conducted by the National Academy of Sciences (2009) and President’s Council Advisors on Science Technology (2016) concluded that field forensic firearm comparisons has not been demonstrated to be scientifically valid. Scientific validity requires adequately designed studies examiner performance in terms accuracy, repeatability, reproducibility. Researchers have performed “black-box” with goal estimating these measures. As statisticians expertise experimental design, we a literature search such date then evaluated design statistical analysis methods used each study. Our conclusion is all our methodological flaws are so grave they render invalid, is, incapable establishing scientific firearms examination. Notably, error rates among examiners, both collectively individually, remain unknown. Therefore, statements about common origin bullets or cartridge cases based examination “individual” characteristics do basis. We provide some recommendations for future studies.

Язык: Английский

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Reliability of ordinal outcomes in forensic black-box studies

Forensic Science International, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 354, С. 111909 - 111909

Опубликована: Дек. 6, 2023

Forensic science disciplines such as latent print examination, bullet and cartridge case comparisons, shoe-print analysis, involve subjective decisions by forensic experts throughout the examination process. Most of ordinal categories. Examples include a three-category outcome for comparison (exclusion, inconclusive, identification) seven-category footwear comparisons indications non-association, limited association class characteristics, high degree association, identification). As results examinations evidence can heavily influence outcomes court proceedings, it is important to assess reliability accuracy underlying decisions. "Black box" studies are most common approach assessing In these studies, researchers produce samples consisting sample questioned source known where ground truth (same or different source) known. Examiners provide assessments selected using same they would use in actual casework. These often have two phases; first phase comprises on varying complexities examiners, second involves repeated examiner (usually) small subset that were encountered examiners phase. We statistical method analyze from black-box trials with objective obtaining inferences quantifying variation attributable samples, interaction effects between samples. present simulation judge performance model data parameter values apply handwritten signature complexity study, fingerprint handwriting study.

Язык: Английский

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Commentary on: Monson KL, Smith ED, Peters EM. Repeatability and reproducibility of comparison decisions by firearms examiners. J Forensic Sci. 2023;68(5):1721–40. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556‐4029.15318

Journal of Forensic Sciences, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 68(6), С. 2214 - 2215

Опубликована: Окт. 10, 2023

Язык: Английский

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