New Software Improves Rigor of Latent Fingerprint Examination

• NCJ Number: 251493
• Date Published: January 2018
• Length: 2 pages
• Grant Number(s): 2013-R2-CX-K011
• Agencies: NIJ
• Publication Type: Research (Applied/Empirical); Report (Technical Assistance); Report (Study/Research); Report (Grant Sponsored); Program/Project Description; Factsheet
• Award: ACEware Latent Fingerprint Identification Research and Software Development.

Annotation

This factsheet reports on an NIJ-funded project that developed software for improving the standardization and quantifiability of the latent print examination process as part of the FBI's Universal Latent Workstation.

Abstract

The software developed provides a platform for standards-based , detailed annotation of the latent print examination process for use in training new latent print examiners in standard, reproducible documentation, as well as for use by experienced case-working latent-print examiners in documenting their case work. This ACEware application from the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division provides latent-print examiners with tools to mark up latent print images, do comparisons of latent prints, and conduct latent-print searches on the Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS). Among the various crime labs in which the software has been tested, results have been positive; however, the ULW Software with ACEware has not been approved for release by the FBI.