Application

• Outline ACE-V

  • Structured approach to fingerprint identification used in US & UK
  • Thorough examination of unknown latent print to observe ridge patterns, shape & sweat pores
  • Assessment of all various cases of distortion & effect on print clarity
  • Examiner concentrates on known inked prints - observe ridge detail & compare detail in latent print
  • 2 prints examined together finding features in unknown print & then in known. Corresponding features evaluated to see if within tolerance for clarity
  • All positive identification must be verified by second qualified expert & may repeat process blind
• Who in background theory supports ACE-V?

  • Bottom-up processing observing ridge detail before making cognitive translation
  • Mayfield
• Outline Linear Sequential Unmasking


  • Experts should work in a linear fashion when analysing evidence
  • Reasoning process should work from the evidence to the suspect
  • Experts should firstly examine and document the trace evidence from the crime scene before being exposed to the case report
  • Sequential unmasking - idea that other evidence other than fingerprint is “unmasked” as late as possible and only when necessary
• Who in background theory supports linear sequential unmasking?

  • Top down processing
  • Charlton - emotions can influence analysis, on 13 experienced fingerprint experts, found theme in satisfaction in catching suspect
  • Dror - high emotional context, low emotional context, found ambiguous pairs of prints influenced by emotional circumstances of case
• Outline training fingerprint experts / juries

  • Train fingerprint experts as part of training to raise awareness of cognitive bias and give them updates every year
  • Train them on case where analysis was done wrong and consequences of misidentification
  • Can also be done as part of police training, with leaflets and regular accuracy checks
• Who in background theory supports training fingerprint experts / juries?


  • Kassin - forensic evidence is not infallible
  • Hampikian - forensic evidence convicting innocent individuals
  • Dror - additional information can influence outcome and concept of training reduces bias