Priority Action Report

Friction Ridge Subcommittee

SAC Physics/Pattern

Melissa R. Gische

February 23, 2016
Subcommittee Leadership

Position Name Organization Term Email

Chair Melissa R. Gische FBI Laboratory 4 Melissa.gische@ic.fbi.

gov

Vice Chair Henry Swofford Defense 

Forensic Science 

Center

3 Henry.J.Swofford.Civ@

mail.mil

Executive 

Secretary

Rachelle R.

Babler

San Diego Police 

Department

4 rachellebabler.osac@g

mail.com

2
Subcommittee Members

# Name Organization Term Email

1 Black, John P. Black & White Forensics, LLC 4 john@bwforensics.com

2 Cathcart, Kerrie Cathcart Forensics, LLC 3 cathcartforensics@gmail.com

3 Eldridge, Heidi RTI 2 heidi.eldridge@icloud.com

4 French, Michael, K. MorphoTrak, LLC 4 michael.french@morpho.com

5 German, Edward R. Macon County Sheriff’s Office 4 ed.german@sheriff-macon-il.us

6 Iyer, Hariharan National Institute of Standards and Technology 3 hari@nist.gov

7 Kriel, Louis Georgia Bureau of Investigation 3 louis.kriel@gbi.ga.gov

8 Mills, Mark Onondaga County Center for Forensic Sciences 2 markmills@ongov.net

9 Ray, Eric Arizona Department of Public Safety 4 eray@azdps.gov

10 Rees, Alison S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives 3 alison.rees@atf.gov

11 Reitnauer, Andrew United States Postal Inspection Laboratory 2 areitnau@hotmail.com

12 Roberts, Maria Antonia Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory 3 maria.roberts@ic.fbi.gov

13 Schwarz, Matthew T. Schwarz Forensic Enterprises, Inc. 2 matt@schwarzforensic.com

14 Speckels, Carl City of Phoenix Crime Laboratory 3 carl.speckels@phoenix.gov

15 Tabassi, Elham National Institute of Standards and Technology 4 elham.tabassi@nist.gov

16 Weir, Maria C. Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 2 mcweir@lasd.org

17 Zinn, Lisa M. Orange County Sheriff's Crime Laboratory 2 lzinn@occl.ocgov.com

3
Discipline Description

The Friction Ridge Subcommittee will 

focus on standards and guidelines related 

to the forensic examination of friction ridge 

detail from the hands and feet. 

4
Bridging the gap from last year to 

this year...

• Consolidation and reorganization of tasks

• Staffed task groups with Affiliates

• Navigated SDO issues

• Identified strategic way forward

• RESULT: Progressing in a coherent and focused manner to develop 

key standards and guidelines in support of the larger Friction Ridge 

community.

5
Priority Topics

• Topic 1 – Community Research Priority Needs 

• Finalized in SC - Pending SAC approval

• Topic 2 – Articulation 

• Pending final revision and SC approval

• Topic 3 – Training 

• Topics identified

• Modules drafted – pending revision and SC review/discussion

• Specific training gaps identified and referred to SAC level as applicable (crossdisciplinary)

• Topic 4 – Examination 

• Focus on conclusions and overarching framework

• Method process mapping scope expanded to encompass cross-disciplinary

• Topic 5 – Terminology

• Pending revisions based on changes from SAC and other SC disciplines

6
Topic 1: Research

Priority Level: High

• Identify research needs for the friction ridge community

Task Group Name: Research

Task Group Chair Name: Michael French

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

michael.french@morpho.com

7
Standards/Guidelines Reviewed

Title Organization Suggested OSAC Process:

(Registry, SDO, Canvass)

Recommendations for Research SWGFAST NA

Latent Print Examination and Human Factors: 

Improving the Practice through a Systems Approach

NIJ/NIST NA

Interpol Review Papers Interpol NA

Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A 

Path Forward

NAS NA

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

SWGFAST NA

Topic 1: Research

8
Committee Action Plan

Priority 

(high/med/

low/)

Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

High Reviewed existing resources to 

identify current state of 

research in proposed topic 

areas and conduct gap analysis

Completed Task Group

High Drafted recommendations for 

research

Completed Task Group

Topic 1: Research

9
Topic 2: Articulation

Priority Level: High

• Review and revise existing SWGFAST Guideline

Task Group Name: Articulation

Task Group Chair Name: Heidi Eldridge

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

heidi.eldridge@icloud.com

10
Standards/Guidelines Reviewed

Title Organization Suggested OSAC Process:

(Registry, SDO, Canvass)

Guideline for the Articulation of the Decision-Making 

Process for the Individualization in Friction Ridge 

Examination

SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Topic 2: Articulation

11
Committee Action Plan

Priority 

(high/med/

low/)

Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

High Revised format and content 2/28/2016 Task Group

High Updated references 2/28/2016 Task Group

Topic 2: Articulation

12
Topic 3: Training

Priority Level: High

• Develop Standard for Friction Ridge Examination Training

• Develop Standard for Friction Ridge Automation Training

Task Group Name: Training

Task Group Chair Name: Carl Speckels

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

carl.speckels@phoenix.gov

13
Standards/Guidelines Reviewed

Title Organization Suggested OSAC Process:

(Registry, SDO, Canvass)

Standards for Minimum Qualifications and Training to

Competency for Friction Ridge Examiner Trainees

SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Standard for Friction Ridge Automation Training SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Friction Ridge Skin Identification Training Manual IAI NA

Latent Print Examination and Human Factors: 

Improving the Practice through a Systems Approach

NIJ/NIST NA

Topic 3: Training

14
Committee Action Plan

Priority 

(high/med/

low/)

Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

High Review existing training 

documents and conduct gap 

analysis

3/31/2016 Task Group

Medium Develop continuing education 

recommendations

3/31/2016 Task Group; 

coordinate with 

OSAC Stats TG

Medium Incorporate human factors 

topic areas, including visual

acuity and cognitive ability

6/30/2016 Task Group; 

coordinate with 

OSAC HFC

Medium Incorporate legal module 6/30/2016 Task Group; 

coordinate with 

OSAC LRC

Topic 3: Training

15
Topic 4: Examination and Conclusions

Priority Level: High

• Develop framework for overarching document

• Create sub-task groups as needed

• Interdisciplinary Virtual Subcommittee for ACE Process Map (Louis 

Kriel, louis.kriel@gbi.ga.gov)

• Define conclusions and criteria for examination decisions working within 

framework of SAC Conclusions (Eric Ray, eray@azdps.gov)

• Identify reporting and documentation requirements

Task Group Name: Examination

Task Group Chair Name: Heidi Eldridge

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

heidi.eldridge@icloud.com

16
Standards/Guidelines Reviewed

Title Organization Suggested OSAC Process:

(Registry, SDO, Canvass)

Standards for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions 

and Resulting Conclusions

SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Standard for Reporting Friction Ridge Examinations SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Standard for Simultaneous Impression Examination SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Latent Print Examination and Human Factors: 

Improving the Practice through a Systems Approach

NIJ/NIST NA

Standard for the Application of Blind Verification of

Friction Ridge Examinations

SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Standard for the Technical Review of Friction Ridge 

Examinations

SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Topic 4: Examinations and Conclusions

17
Committee Action Plan

Priority 

(high/med/

low/)

Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

High Develop outline for main 

document

6/30/2016 Task Group

High Create Task Groups for chapters Ongoing Task Group

High Draft individual chapters 6/30/2016 Sub-Task Groups

High Incorporate human factors as 

appropriate

As needed Sub-Task Groups; 

coordinate with 

OSAC HFC

High Incorporate measurement of 

uncertainty as appropriate

As needed Sub-Task Groups; 

coordinate with 

OSAC Stats TG

Topic 4: Examinations and Conclusions

18
Topic 5: Terminology

Priority Level: High

• Review and revise extensive glossary of terms related to friction 

ridge examinations

• Consolidate with other Subcommittees within Physics/Pattern 

SAC

Task Group Name: Terminology

Task Group Chair Name: Toni Roberts

Task Group Chair Contact Information: 

maria.roberts@ic.fbi.gov

19
Standards/Guidelines Reviewed

Title Organization Suggested OSAC Process:

(Registry, SDO, Canvass)

Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 

(Latent/Tenprint)

SWGFAST AAFS ASB SDO

Draft Information: Fingerprint Examination -

Terminology, Definitions and Acronyms

FSR NA

Michele Triplett’s Fingerprint Terms NA NA

Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial

& Other Biometric Information

ANSI/NIST OSAC Registry

The Fingerprint Sourcebook NIJ NA

Information Technology – Vocabulary ISO/IEC NA

Topic 5: Terminology

20
Committee Action Plan

Priority 

(high/med/

low/)

Planned Actions Approx. 

Deadline Assignee

High Develop an extensive glossary 

for friction ridge discipline

• Consolidate terms and 

definitions 

• Revise and update terms as 

needed

• Consider adopting ISO rules 

for terms and definition

6/30/2016 Task Group; 

coordinate with 

Physics/Pattern SAC 

Terminology TG

Medium Develop a maintenance plan for 

the developed glossary 

document

6/30/2016 Task Group

Topic 5: Terminology

21
Additional Items of Interest

• Joint Interdisciplinary Virtual Subcommittees

• ISO 17020 and 17025

• ANSI/NIST-ITL

• ABIS Metrics

• ACE Process Map

• Best Practices for use of Friction Ridge Automation Technology 

(i.e. AFIS)

• Conflict Resolution

• Latent Print Detection, Collection, and Preservation (Field and 

Lab) – coordinate with Crime Scene SC

• Digital Imaging – coordinate with VITAL SC

22
Additional Documents of Interest

Archived SWGFAST:

• Standard for Consultation

• Standard for the Review of Testimony for Friction Ridge 

Examiners

• Standard for the Technical Review of Friction Ridge Examiners

• Standard for the Definition and Measurement of Rates of Errors 

and Non-Consensus Decisions in Friction Ridge Examination

• Standard for the Validation and Performance Review of Friction 

Ridge Impression Development and Examination Techniques

• Standard a for Quality Assurance Program in Friction Ridge 

Examinations

23
2015 – 2016 Summary

Rank Topic Area

1 Research

2 Articulation

3 Training

4 Examination

5 Terminology

• Populated active Task Groups

• Data collection and gap analyses

• Drafted scientifically supported 

consensus Standards and 

Guidelines

• Outreach

• Next Priority Areas Identified

24