Dror 2012

• Bottom up approaches


  Use examination of the ridges and patterns of fingerprints to identify the unique feature of each print to see if they match
• Top down approaches


  Use the experts previous experiences and knowledge to make an assumption about the identity of the fingerprints
• Biases

  • Expectancy bias - when analysis is affected by information which leads to preconceived expectations about the outcome
  • Selective attention - when prior expectations lead to the 'filtering out' of ambiguous elements in a partial or ambiguous print where a 'close call' has to be made to create a match
  • Conformity effect - when fingerprints expert is asked to validate the decision of a peer or supervisor and knowledge of their original decision unconsciously biases the analyst to agree with it
• Biases pt 2

  • Need determination perception - when errors occur because there is too strong a desire to get evidence on a suspect and bring the case to a court
  • Over confidence - when an expert has such confidence in their work they believe they were always right, even if evidence says otherwise