Quantifying randomly acquired characteristics on outsoles in terms of shape and position.

Footwear evidence has tremendous forensic value; it can focus a criminal investigation, link suspects to scenes, help reconstruct a series of events, or otherwise provide information vital to the successful resolution of a case. When considering the specific utility of a linkage, the strength of the connection between source footwear and an impression left at the scene of a crime varies with the known rarity of the shoeprint itself, which is a function of the class characteristics, as well as the complexity, clarity, and quality of randomly acquired characteristics (RACs) available for analysis. To help elucidate the discrimination potential of footwear as a source of forensic evidence, the aim of this research is to further characterize the chance association in position, shape, and geometry of RACs on a semi-random selection of footwear.

Quantifying the limits of fingerprint variability.

The comparison and identification of fingerprints are made difficult by fingerprint variability arising from distortion. This study seeks to quantify both the limits of fingerprint variability when subject to heavy distortion, and the variability observed in repeated inked planar impressions. A total of 30 fingers were studied: 10 right slant loops, 10 plain whorls, and 10 plain arches.