Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

OSAC Research Needs Assessment Form

Title of research need:

Keywords:

Submitting subcommittee(s): Date Approved:

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

Background information:

1. Description of research need:

2. Key bibliographic references relating to this research need:

3a. In what ways would the research results improve current laboratory capabilities?

To date, research in photographic comparison has focused on human identification, particularly 

faces. However, image analysts are often requested to compare vehicles to determine whether a 

vehicle depicted in surveillance video or capture images is the same as a vehicle linked to a 

suspect, or alternatively, determine the Make, Model and Year of the questioned vehicle. The 

VITAL subcommittee requests a study be conducted to determine the accuracy of examiners in 

making these types of comparisons/determinations, particularly at varying degrees of “Quality”

within submitted imagery.

The research results would explore the scientific basis for photographic vehicle comparisons, 

including exploring error rates related to the quality of images. For the purposes of this study, 

quality would be defined by the percentage of the imagery that captures the vehicle or the number 

of pixels that capture the vehicle, and the number of perspectives of the vehicle (multi-camera). 

Vehicle Comparison Study

Photographic Comparison, Vehicle, Make, Model

VITAL 1/28/16
Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

3b. In what ways would the research results improve understanding of the scientific basis for the 

subcommittee(s)?

3c. In what ways would the research results improve services to the criminal justice system?

4. Status assessment (I, II, III, or 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.

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

The research would assist in determining which features of a vehicle are most conducive to making 

a vehicle comparison, as well as assisting in the determination of what “Quality” of imagery is 

needed for an examiner to make an accurate determination of a vehicle make, model and year. In 

addition, the study would assist in the determination of error rates in vehicle comparisons.

The research would help determine the probative value of vehicle comparison analysis, as well as 

make/model determinations for lead generation.

I
Version 1 / Date of Issue: 10.29.15 / Issuing Authority: Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB)

// Approval date:

(Approval is by majority vote of subcommittee. Once approved, forward to SAC.)

1. Does the SAC agree with the research need? Yes ⃝ No ⃝ 

2. Does the SAC agree with the status assessment? Yes ⃝ No ⃝

If no, what is the status assessment of the SAC:

Approval date:

(Approval is by majority vote of SAC. Once approved, forward to NIST for posting.)

1/28/16 Subcommittee

SAC

6/15/16