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                            Library & Multimedia
 Quantifying the Effects of Database Size and Sample Quality on Measures of Individualization Validity and Accuracy in Forensics
NCJ Number
              248670

Author(s)
          Donald Gantz;
                        Christopher Sanders
Date Published

March 2014
Length
              216 pages
Annotation
              This project developed methods for quantifying statistically the random match probability (RMP) that quantifies uncertainty in measures that validate a forensic discipline's basic premises (such as a uniqueness claim) and the accuracy of likelihood ratio methods used in making classification/individualization conclusions.
Abstract
              Phase I of this three-phase project focused on the RMP as a measure of the validity of a forensic individualization system.  This phase developed theoretically sound upper confidence bounds on the RMP, which are estimated using automated pairwise comparisons.  The RMP is related to whether or not forensic analysts should use a given biometric modality in general.  In Phases II and III, the project focused on quantifying the accuracy of given forensic modalities in  individual applications.  The use of likelihood ratio methods in DNA analysis is well-established in addressing this problem; however, research on its use in other forensic areas is not as well-developed.  The researchers investigated the use of Bayes Factors and likelihood ratios in other forensic fields, such as handwriting and glass fragments.  Phase II focused on popular approximate procedures, and Phase III investigated statistically rigorous formal techniques, extending the Bayesian Likelihood Ratio to situations in which the background population has not been accurately characterized, focusing on statistically rigorous formal techniques.  Most of the methodologies developed in this grant will apply to any forensics field, since RMPs and likelihood ratios are defined similarly in many of them.  The researchers in thi project are in the process of extending this work to databases of automated comparisons of fingerprints.  5 tables, 3 figures, and 17 references
      
  
          Additional Details
Grant Number(s)
        2009-DN-BX-K234


  
  
        
  Agencies
        NIJ-Sponsored


  
  
        
  Publication Type
        Research (Applied/Empirical)
                                Report (Study/Research)
                                Report (Grant Sponsored)
                                Program/Project Description


  
  
        
  Award
        Quantifying the Effects of Database Size and Sample Quality on Measures of Individualization Validity and Accuracy in Forensics
    
  
  
Date Published: March 1, 2014
    
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