Description
Physics and pattern interpretation refers to a collection of forensic disciplines where the evidence is generated through physical processes. This can range from fingerprints to footwear impressions, striations from a firearm on a bullet, to bloodstains on a surface. Examination of this evidence involves classification or comparison of the spatial arrangement of physical features. The disciplines under physics and pattern interpretation include:
- Firearms and toolmarks
- Friction ridge (e.g., fingerprints)
- Footwear
- Tire tread
- Bloodstain pattern
- Questioned documents
Review a presentation on NIJ's firearms and toolmarks research and development portfolio.
On this page, find links to articles, awards, events, publications, and multimedia related to physics and pattern interpretation
Publications and Grant Reports
- A Black Box Study of the Accuracy and Reproducibility of Tire Evidence Examiners’ Conclusions
- Assessing Methods to Enhance and Preserve Proteinaceous Impressions from the Skin of Decedents during the Early Stages of Decomposition
- Quantifying the strength of palmprint comparisons: Majority identifications with surprisingly low value