  Lennard (2013) [Fingerprint identification: how far have we come? Aus J
Forensic Sci. doi:10.1080/00450618.2012.752037] proposes that the numeric
output of statistical models should not be presented in court (except "if
necessary" / "if required"). Instead he argues in favour of an "expert opinion"
which may be informed by a statistical model but which is not itself the output
of a statistical model. We argue that his proposed procedure lacks the
transparency, the ease of testing of validity and reliability, and the relative
robustness to cognitive bias that are the strengths of a likelihood-ratio
approach based on relevant data, quantitative measurements, and statistical
models, and that the latter is therefore preferable.
