FORENSICS@NIST

November8-9,2016
NOVEMBER8-9

NOVEMBER 8, 2016

8:30 am – 8:45 am WELCOME

Willie E. May, Director, NIST

Moderator - Richard R. Cavanagh, Director, 

Special Programs Office (SPO)

8:45 am – 9:30 am KEYNOTE - JULES EPSTEIN, Professor of Law 

and Director of Advocacy Programs Temple Beasley 

School of Law, Philadelphia

“Accidental Traveler” An Attorney, with No Scientific Background, Immersed in 

Worlds of Science and Law – How Do We Connect?

 

Professor Epstein is a member of the National Commission on Forensic 

Science, has worked on two DNA workgroups and in capital case trainings 

for the National Institute of Justice, and on a working group on latent 

print issues for the National Institute of Standards and Technology. He is 

co-editor of Scientific Evidence Review: Admissibility and the Use of Expert 

Evidence in the Courtroom, Monograph no. 9, (ABA, 2013) and The Future 

of Evidence (ABA, 2011) and served as section editor for the Encyclopedia 

of Forensic Sciences, 2nd Edition (2013). Professor Epstein has lectured on 

forensics to judges, attorneys, and forensic scientists.

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

9:30 am – 9:50 am Susan Ballou, Forensic Science, Research Program 

Manager, Federal Program Officer

Alicia Carriquiry, Distinguished Professor, 

Director, CSAFE

NIST and the Forensic Science Center of Excellence – CSAFE (Center for Statistics 

and Applications in Forensic Evidence)

STATISTICS

9:50 am – 10:00 am Will Guthrie, Chief, Statistical Engineering Division 

Overview of work in the statistics forensic science focus area at NIST and 

applicable CSAFE research

10:00 am – 10:20 am Steve Lund, NIST

A Measurement Science Perspective on Assessing the Weight of Evidence

We discuss the role of measurement science in facilitating calibrated 

communication among a group of stakeholders and examine how these 

principles relate to experts informing others about the weight of forensic 

evidence.

10:20 am – 10:40 am BREAK

10:40 am – 11:00 am Martin Herman, NIST 

Measurements and Scoring Procedures for Footwear Impression Comparisons

A software system under development at NIST, called SHOECALC, will be 

described. It is designed to help both researchers and footwear examiners 

in the assessment of metrics or scoring procedures that provide objective characterizations of correspondences and discrepancies between 

features from two footwear impressions being compared. The presentation 

will provide the current status of the system, focusing on matching 

algorithms, similarity scores, and image quality metrics.

11:00 am – 11:20 am Charless Fowlkes, CSAFE-UCI 

Statistical Models for the Generation and Interpretation of Shoeprint Evidence

This presentation will discuss developed prototype software for detection 

of tread ridges in outsole imagery to facilitate the extraction and analysis of 

tread patterns. The method is now being adapted to better handle the 

specific shading patterns observed in outsole images and impressions 

which provide cues to 3D shape, in particular which components of the 

tread (e.g. ridges) are likely to leave behind impressions or prints.

11:20 am – 11:40 am Neil Spencer, CSAFE-CMU

Modeling the Distribution of RACs (Accidentals) in Footwear Evidence

To develop statistically sound methods for matching shoe prints and 

appropriately quantifying the uncertainty in matching decisions. This 

research will focus on the problem of matching a crime scene impression 

to a particular shoe, as opposed to identifying the sizes, brands, or models 

of shoes consistent with a given print.

11:40 am – 11:50 am Q&A SESSION - Moderator Will Guthrie

DIGITAL AND IDENTIFICATION FORENSICS

11:50 am – 12:00 pm Barbara Guttman, Software Quality Group

NIST has decades of experience in the innovation, evaluation, and 

standardization of biometric pattern comparison technologies and a large 

impact on the computer forensics field.

12:00 pm – 12:20 pm Elham Tabassi, NIST

Quantifying the Weight of Friction Ridge Evidence: Score-based Likelihood Ratio for 

Fingerprints

The presentation will highlight our work on computing score based likelihood ratios for fingerprints by modeling the behavior of comparison scores 

under the competing source-level propositions.

12:20 pm – 12:40 pm Michael Ogata, NIST

New Data Collections in the NSRL: The NSRL Goes Mobile

The National Software Reference Library (NSRL) seeks to provide cryptographic hash sets for use by law enforcement. Since its inception, the 

world of software has changed in two distinct ways. First is the invention 

and then meteoric rise mobile applications. The second is the transition in 

software distribution from physical media to digital downloads across the 

internet. This talk will describe the tactics the NSRL is taking to adapt to 

these changes in order to continue to fulfill its mission to law enforcement. 

12:40 pm – 12:45 pm Wilmer Souder Video 

12:45 pm – 1:30 pm LUNCH on your own
1:30 pm Highlighting CSAFE research

1:30 pm – 1:50 pm Jennifer Newman, CSAFE-ISU 

StegoDB: An Image Dataset for Benchmarking Steganography Detection Algorithms

No databases are known by the authors that support steganography 

software analysis for practical imaging forensic cases as needed by crime 

labs. Additionally, in the academic forensic imaging community, publically 

available databases have only recently appeared for image forgery detection. Therefore, we propose that the forensic community use the following 

criteria to construct a useful database for steganalysis.

1:50 pm – 2:10 pm Padhraic Smyth, CSAFE-UCI 

Statistical Methods for Change Detection Over Time in Digital Forensics Data 

Digital forensics software, both commercial and open-source, produces 

a wealth of information about device usage in the form of detailed logs, 

metadata, and timeline information. A significant problem, however, is that 

there are no quantitative techniques available that allow an investigator, 

using this data, to pose questions such as “is there evidence that more 

than one person used this account or device?” The proposed research will 

develop algorithmic and statistical techniques that can provide quantitative 

support to statements related to the identity of a user using a device at a 

particular time.

2:10 pm – 2:30 pm Joseph B. Kadane, CSAFE-CMU

Fingerprint Science

This research focuses both on the nature of fingerprint databases and 

their use in identification via automated systems such as AFIS as well as 

formal statistical modeling so that when a forensic expert testifies as to a 

possible match, formal statistical statements can be made about the error 

associated with the matching process and the uncertainty associated with 

the forensic judgment.

2:30 pm – 2:45 pm Q&A SESSION - Moderator Barbara Guttman

2:45 pm – 3:30 pm BREAK and POSTER SESSION - Held in Hallway 

ILLICIT DRUGS AND TOXINS

3:30pm – 3:40pm Eric Steel, Microscopy and Microanalysis 

Research Group

The effort is in the identification of emerging designer drugs and synthetic 

marijuana. A sample of research projects will be presented.

3:40 pm – 4:00 pm William Wallace, NIST

Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) Libraries for the Identification of 

Controlled Substances

We will discuss the use of standard reference mass spectral libraries for 

the identification chemical compounds in both seized drug and in toxicological forensics work.

4:00 pm – 4:20 pm Tara Lovestead, NIST

A Better Understanding of Cannabis Chemistry to aid in Vapor Phase Detection

Description of research aimed at marijuana intoxication employing breath 

measurement.

4:20 pm – 4:40 pm Aaron Urbas, NIST

NMR in Forensic Drug Analysis

The talk will focus on the current role of NMR in the characterization and 

analysis of illegal drugs with an emphasis on emerging synthetic drugs. 

The potential utility of benchtop, permanent magnet, NMR for routine analysis 

of seized drugs will also be discussed.

4:40 pm – 4:50 pm Q&A SESSION - Moderator Eric Steel

4:50 pm CLOSING REMARKS – Susan Ballou

Visit Detective X: Wilmer Souder

Wilmer Souder, was a physicist at the National Bureau of Standards 

who built a crime lab in the 1920’s. Souder’s research covered a range 

of fascinating topics including rum running, murder, kidnapping, and 

forgery. This work laid a foundation for NIST’s role in forensic science that 

continues today. Visit the Souder display in the NIST Museum in front of 

the library on the first floor of building 101.

NOVEMBER 9, 2016

8:30 am – 8:40 am WELCOME

 Robert M. Thompson, Senior Forensic Science 

Research Manager, SPO

BALLISTICS AND ASSOCIATED TOOL MARKS

8:40 am – 8:50 am Rick Silver, Surface & Nanostructure Metrology

NIST is working to establish a sound metrology infrastructure for ballistics 

and tool mark forensics with scientifically justified protocols that yield objective determinations of identification with well-characterized error rates 

for use in forensic laboratories.

8:50 am – 9:10 am Johannes Soons, NIST

Next Generation National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) 

The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) is the only 

national network in the United States for the acquisition and comparison of 

images of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes 

involving firearms. The managing agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, 

Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is making major improvements to the capabilities and efficiency of the network. The presentation describes a recently 

initiated collaboration to realize interoperability of the network with sample 

measurement systems from various sources. We conclude with an outlook 

describing possible additions to the network to aid examiners in characterizing the strength of the evidence.

9:10 am – 9:30 am Alan Zheng, NIST

Ballistics Toolmark Research Database

An open-access research database of bullet and cartridge case reference 

data, consisting of traditional reflectance microscopy images and three-dimensional surface topography. The database will foster the development 

and validation of advanced algorithms, mathematical similarity criteria, and 

quantitative confidence limits for objective ballistics identification.

9:30 am – 9:50 am Heike Hofmann, CSAFE-ISU 

Statistical and Algorithmic Approaches to Matching Bullets

This research will provide firearms examiners with an objective approach 

to quantify the strength of a match and will enable the profession to 

establish clear thresholds to determine whether two sets of striae are 

indistinguishable.

9:50 am – 10:10 am Xiao Hui Tai, CSAFE-CMU 

Developing Methods for Comparison of Cartridge Breechface Images

The creation of an open-source method for computing numerical signatures from cartridge breechface images as well as the development of 

statistical methods for comparing signatures will be discussed.

10:10 am – 10:20 am Q&A SESSION - Moderator Rick Silver

10:20 am – 10:50 am BREAK 
NOVEMBER9

NOVEMBER 9, 2016

TRACE EVIDENCE

10:50 am – 11:00 am Eric Steel, Microscopy and 

Microanalysis Research Group

11:00 am – 11:20 am Stephanie Watson, NIST

Assessment of a Portable Spectrophotometer for Measuring Color of Automotive 

Paint Trace Evidence

Discussion of the results of instrumental methods, particularly those 

currently used in the automotive paint industry, to discriminate colors that 

the average human eye cannot distinguish. Results will also include the 

differences between information obtained using a micro spectrophotometer (MSP) and a portable spectrophotometer for automotive paint and the 

limitations encountered in using portable spectrophotometry techniques.

11:20 am – 11:40 am Amanda Forster, NIST

Evaluating Sources of Variability in Forensic Fiber Trace Evidence Examination

Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy is commonly used by trace 

evidence examiners to analyze fibers. Typically, examiners rely heavily 

on diamond compression cells to flatten fiber samples for analysis in 

transmission using a FTIR microscope. In an effort to better standardize 

this compression step, an adapter has been designed to use a reproducible amount of torque to flatten the sample prior to analysis. The results 

of work to standardize the compression step will be discussed, in addition 

to considerations for the development of a robust forensic fiber reference 

database.

11:40 am – 12:05 pm Greg Gillen, NIST

Materials Deposition Inkjet Printing for Spatially Resolved Chemical Standards of 

Relevance to Forensics 

Reliability of forensic techniques depends on the validation of analytical tools. NIST has been working for several years to develop protocols 

for utilization of drop on demand printing as a method to produce standard 

test materials for validation and calibration of analytical techniques of 

relevance to forensics. In this presentation, we will provide a review of the 

inkjet printing process, advantages and potential pitfalls of the technique 

and select examples of producing test materials of explosives, narcotics, 

fingerprint material and inorganic analytes. These test materials are being 

used to validate the performance of fingerprint developing agents, ion 

mobility and mass spectrometry, Raman and IR, and ICP-MS.

12:05 pm – 12:15 pm Q&A SESSION - Moderator Eric Steel

12:15 pm – 12:20 pm Wilmer Souder Video 

12:20 pm – 1:25 pm LUNCH on your own, Visit POSTERS

FORENSIC GENETICS

1:30 pm – 1:40 pm Pete Vallone, Applied Genetics Group

The NIST Forensic Genetics Focus Area strives to ensure the reliability and 

accuracy of forensic DNA testing which applies to the human identification, paternity testing, and genetic genealogy communities.

1:40 pm – 2:00 pm Mike Coble, NIST

Interpretation of Complex DNA Mixtures 

Complex DNA mixtures from more than two individuals and/or profiles 

amplified with low-level quantities of DNA, can be challenging for the 

analyst to interpret. Across the U.S., laboratories are recognizing the limits 

of a threshold-based interpretation together with CPI statistics for very 

complex mixtures. A promising solution for the analysis of challenging DNA 

mixtures are probabilistic approaches to interpretation. This presentation 

will provide an overview of software solutions and discuss the benefits 

and challenges of moving to a probabilistic approach to interpretation of 

complex mixtures.

2:00 pm – 2:20 pm Katherine Gettings, NIST

Population Sample Sequencing at NIST

In the past year, next generation sequencing (NGS) efforts in the Applied 

Genetics Group have focused on producing sequence-based allele 

frequencies for four common U.S. populations at 27 Autosomal STR Loci, 

24 YSTR Loci and 7 XSTR Loci. With the project nearing completion, this 

presentation will give an overview of the work and demonstrate how the 

data can be utilized by the forensic community.

2:20 pm – 2:40 pm Becky Steffen, NIST

Development of the Next Generation of the PCR-Based DNA Profiling Standard: 

SRM 2391d 

SRM 2391c PCR-Based DNA Profiling Standard is set to be depleted in February 2018 so development of the next generation has already begun. The 

steps in production of SRM 2391d and techniques that are planned to be 

used for certification will be explained and discussed in this presentation.

2:40 pm – 3:00 pm Q&A SESSION - Moderator Pete Vallone

3:00 pm – 3:20 pm BREAK 

3:20 pm – 3:30 pm CSAFE Highlights –Robert M. Thompson 

3:30 pm – 3:50 pm Daniel Murrie, CSAFE-UVA 

Latent Fingerprint Proficiency Testing

Fingerprint analysts rely on commercial proficiency testing to demonstrate 

and document their skills, but commercial test materials may differ in 

important ways from routine, “real world” evidence. The research will 

assess the degree to which results of commercial fingerprint proficiency 

testing are similar to results of proficiency testing with a realistic sample of 

actual lab work.

3:50 pm – 4:10 pm Daniel Attinger, CSAFE-ISU 

Combining Fluid Dynamics, Statistics and Pattern Recognition in Bloodstain Pattern 

Analysis, to Quantify Spatial Uncertainty and Remove Human Bias

Recent research on the fluid dynamics of bloodstain pattern analysis 

provide a sounder understanding of the associated atomization, drop 

trajectories, drop impact and wicking phenomena. The proposed research 

will build onto these advances in physical understanding to add a quantification of the uncertainty and of its propagation, from e.g. uncertainties in 

the measurement of individual blood stains to the related uncertainty in the 

determination of the region of origin of a blood spatter.

4:10 pm – 4:30 pm Cleotide Gonzalez, CSAFE-CMU

Human Factors in Identification Decisions: Cross-cutting Interdisciplinary Research

To build basic scientific foundations of behavioral decision making in forensic science this research will support the development of models of human 

decision making, which ultimately can be integrated into current and future 

statistical models being developed for latent prints, firearms, tool marks, 

and other pattern evidence techniques. 

4:30 pm – 4:45 pm Q&A SESSION - Moderator Robert M. Thompson

4:45 pm CLOSING REMARKS & SYMPOSIUM REVIEW 

Robert M. Thompson