FINAL by: OSAC Program Office; Version 2, January 13, 2020 1 

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Complexity in Analysis and Comparison of Friction Ridge Impressions

Describe

the need:

(1) Research to address the operational utility and reliability of complexity determinations 

during both the Analysis and Comparison phases of a comparison. (2) Consider 

criteria/thresholds and assumptions for measures and potential assignment of labels of

complexity and demonstrate their validity for casework. (3) Define, if feasible, a list of 

characteristics that can be used to support complexity labels and validate these for 

casework. (4) Research into the possibility of automating the measurement of complexity.

Keyword(s): Friction Ridge, Analysis, Comparison, Complexity, ACE-V

Submitting subcommittee(s): Friction Ridge Date Approved: June 27, 2022

Background Information:

1. Does this research need address a gap(s) in a current or planned standard? (ex.: Field identification system 

for on scene opioid detection and confirmation)

Yes. Two best practice recommendation documents already posted as drafts and sent to SDO (BPR for Analysis 

and BPR for Comparison and Evaluation) incorporate recommendations for thresholds of non-complex, low 

complexity, and high complexity. These thresholds are currently based upon a consensus of expert experience 

overlaid loosely with prior black box study research (such as the Noblis/FBI series), but no research that 

directly tests or validates these criteria/thresholds has been conducted, nor have the assumptions that underlie 

these criteria been elucidated and tested. Essentially, these guidelines lack a research basis to demonstrate their 

validity.

2. Are you aware of any ongoing research that may address this research need that has not yet been published 

(e.g., research presented in conference proceedings, studies that you or a colleague have participated in but 

have yet to be published)?

Yes, there are several ongoing research projects working on quality measurements, but these have not yet been 

linked to thresholds of complexity, nor tested for examiner reliability in applying them.

3. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need: (ex.: Toll, L., Standifer, K. M., Massotte, D., eds. 

(2019). Current Topics in Opioid Research. Lausanne: Frontiers Media SA. doi: 10.3389/978-2-88963-180-3)

Ulery, B. T., Hicklin, R. A., Buscaglia, J. & Roberts, M. A. 2011. Accuracy and Reliability of

Forensic Latent Fingerprint Decisions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, USA,

108, 7733-7738.

Ulery, B. T., Hicklin, R. A., Kiebuzinski, G. I., Roberts, M. A. & Buscaglia, J. 2013. Understanding 

the Sufficiency of Information for Latent Fingerprint Value Determinations. Forensic Science

International, 230, 99-106.
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Ulery, B. T., Hicklin, R. A., Roberts, M. A. & Buscaglia, J. 2014. Measuring What Latent

Fingerprint Examiners Consider Sufficient Information for Individualization Determinations.

PLoS One, 9, e110179.

Kalka, N. D., Beachler, M., & Hicklin, A. (2020). LQMetric: A Latent Fingerprint Quality Metric for Predicting AFIS 

Performance and Assessing the Value of Latent Fingerprints. Journal of Forensic Identification, 70(4), 443-463.

Swofford, H., Champod, C., Koertner, A., Eldridge, H., & Salyards, M. (2021). A method for measuring the quality 

of friction skin impression evidence: Method development and validation. Forensic Science International, 320, 

110703.

Eldridge, H., De Donno, M., Furrer, J. & Champod, C. 2020. Examining and expanding the friction

ridge value decision. Forensic Science International, 314, 110408,

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110408

Eldridge, H., De Donno M. & Champod C. (2021). Predicting suitability of finger marks using

machine learning techniques and examiner annotations. Forensic Science International 320,

110712, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2021.110712

4. Review the annual operational/research needs published by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) at 

https://nij.ojp.gov/topics/articles/forensic-science-research-and-development-technology-working-groupoperational#latest? Is your research need identified by NIJ?

Fits into the following identified categories: Scientific foundations for expert conclusions of forensic evidence; 

Development and validation of standardized forensic methods and conclusions; and Determination of accuracy 

and reliability of forensic analyses and conclusions, including potential sources of error

5. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

Clear criteria to define thresholds of low and high complexity, versus those marks that are not complex, will 

allow laboratories to set Quality Assurance (QA) policies that are in alignment with these thresholds. This will 

help laboratories by identifying those marks and comparisons that represent a higher risk of error and thus 

should be subject to additional QA measures to mitigate this risk, as well as identifying those that are very high 

quality/low risk and could be subjected to fewer QA requirements, thus freeing up time that could be dedicated 

to the complex cases. These changes could result in higher laboratory efficiency and reduced errors. However, 

research is needed to validate the criteria and thresholds that have been proposed in OSAC documents, or to 

propose new ones if those are found through research to be ineffective. 

6. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

See Number 5, above. The subcommittee has already developed best practice recommendation documents, but 

these are based largely on the combined experience of the committee and lack a strong empirical basis. The 

assumptions and criteria used to build these thresholds should be scientifically evaluated for validity.
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7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

The criminal justice system would benefit from a reduction in errors that could be expected from the 

implementation of validated complexity thresholds and the attendant QA policies. Additionally, since these 

policies will likely include a requirement for additional documentation of complex cases, the criminal justice 

system will benefit from additional reviewable documentation in complex cases.

8. Status assessment (I, II, III, or IV): I

Major gap in 

current 

knowledge

Minor gap in 

current 

knowledge

No or limited

current research is 

being conducted I III

Existing current 

research is being 

conducted II IV

This research need has been identified by one or more subcommittees of OSAC and is being provided as an 

informational resource to the community.