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

OSAC RESEARCH NEEDS ASSESSMENT FORM

Title of research need: Assessing the Sufficiency and Strength of Friction Ridge Features

Describe

the need:

(1) Develop additional or refine existing models that provide an assessment of the 

discriminating strength of features (friction ridge skin structures) used during examination. 

(2) Assess the weight given to friction ridge skin damage such as cuts, abrasions, scars, 

creases, warts and blisters in friction ridge examination. (3) Research quantification of 

sufficiency that must be measured in order to support examination decisions, including 

simultaneity. (4) Develop tools to assist the examiner measuring localized quality of friction 

ridge features during the analysis stage. (5) Develop mechanisms to interpret and assign 

weights to discrepancies observed during the comparison process. Research in this area 

should study the distortion of the friction ridge skin when applied with various forces and 

movements on substrates both qualitatively and quantitatively.

Keyword(s): Features, Minutiae, Quantification, Mark-Up, Sufficiency

Submitting subcommittee(s): Friction Ridge Date Approved: 2/1/2021

(If SAC review identifies additional subcommittees, add them to the box above.)

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. This information will be useful in the Examination series of documents because it will provide empirical 

data to support the setting of thresholds for suitability and sufficiency.

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)?

No

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)

Please see Appendix “A” for a normative bibliography related to this research topic.

For a comprehensive and informative bibliography related to friction ridge examination please see Appendix 

“B”: The 2011 SWGFAST response to the Research, Development, Testing & Evaluation Inter-Agency 

Working Group of the National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Science, Subcommittee on 

Forensic Science. 
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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?

Indirectly -- this research impacts “Determination of accuracy and reliability of forensic analyses and 

conclusions, including potential sources of error”, “Scientific foundations for expert conclusions of forensic 

evidence”, and “Practical statistical approaches for the interpretation of forensic evidence”.

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

Better understanding of the weight of different features during the examination process will improve the 

confidence, error rates, and overall effectiveness of examiners.

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

subcommittee(s)?

Currently there is not a reliable assessment of the discriminating strength of specific friction ridge feature 

types. Standardization of the mark-up of friction ridge evidence is currently being studied. However, even if 

the mark-up of features in the “Analysis” phase of ACE-V were completely standardized, not knowing the 

weight of each feature type prohibits comprehensive standards for friction ridge evaluation decisions. 

7. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

Services will be improved to the criminal justice system by increased reliability of examination decisions.

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.