Topic 2 - the collection and processing of evidence

• What did DROR propose as the main reasons for errors in fingerprint analysis?

  Human error and bias
• Errors in fingerprint analysis occur because examiners rely on evidence and lack sufficient instruments
• Subjective assessments in fingerprint analysis are influenced by human examiners.
• What did CHARLTON investigate regarding emotions in fingerprint examination?

  Their influence on analysis
• CHARLTON used a semi-structured interview to gather qualitative data.
• What were the five main themes identified by CHARLTON in fingerprint analysis satisfaction?

  Job satisfaction and catching criminals
• Emotional conflict in fingerprint analysis can lead to inaccurate matches.
• What type of bias did DROR investigate aside from perceptual bias?

  Emotional context bias
• DROR found that when the crime context was more severe, participants were more likely to say fingerprint pairs matched
• Emotional context in fingerprint analysis can create bias.
• What was the aim of HALL and PLAYER's study on emotional context in fingerprint analysis?

  To investigate emotional effects
• HALL and PLAYER used a lab experiment with independent measures.
• From which organization did the participants in HALL and PLAYER's study come?

  Metropolitan Police
• Match the variables in HALL and PLAYER's study with their definitions:

  High context ↔️ Crime severity described

  Low context ↔️ Crime severity not described

  Dependent variable ↔️ Fingerprint judgment
• Experts who read the high emotional context case felt more affected than those who read the low context case.
• Was there a significant difference between high and low context groups in the final opinion of the experts?

  No
• Emotional context may affect fingerprint expert analysis but not their final judgment
• What does HALL and PLAYER's study suggest about fingerprint analysis in practice?

  It occurs non-emotionally
• Training students in blind fingerprint analysis can reduce emotional bias.
• Arrange the steps in linear sequential bias as suggested by the study:

  1️⃣ Present evidence in order

  2️⃣ Avoid feeding additional information

  3️⃣ Focus on unbiased data