指纹鉴定标准及鉴定结论概率化研究

指纹鉴定标准是指纹鉴定理论的核心内容之一.指纹鉴定理论和实践中形成的最低特征数量标准、质量—数量标准、面积—质量量化标准、拓扑学方法和标准、形态学方法和标准等均有其局限性.运用统计学理论和贝叶斯定理建立指纹鉴定结论概率化方法和评价标准,不仅在理论和实践上具有必要性和可行性,而且也可以避免指纹鉴定标准之争,使指纹鉴定从经验走向科学.通过统计每枚指纹平均细节特征数量和每类特征的出现率,可以计算出两枚指纹匹配的概率值,进而对概率结论的可靠性作出分析评断.     

指纹鉴定标准研究述评

指纹鉴定标准是指纹鉴定理论的核心内容之一.自从指纹鉴定应用于侦查破案以来,理论和实务界对指纹鉴定标准进行了长期研究探索,形成了单纯数量标准、质量—数量标准、面积—质量量化标准、拓扑学方法和标准、形态学方法和标准等.这些标准和方法虽有一定合理性,但也存在明显的不足.指纹鉴定理论要从经验走向科学,必须加强基础理论研究,建立一套完善的指纹鉴定方法和标准体系.     

指纹鉴定人员对现场指印认知能力的研究

指纹鉴定主要是解决检材指印与样本指印是否为同一人所遗留问题,其鉴定意见是法定证据形式之一,关系着被检验对象是否有犯罪嫌疑,责任重大。指纹鉴定人员根据指纹鉴定方法与标准,结合从业经验对指印进行分析与比较,并最终给出鉴定意见,在此过程中,对现场指印的分析是否客观及准确,直接影响后续比对检验、综合评断及得出的意见。本文重点针对指纹鉴定人员在指印分析阶段的细节特征选择、信息判断等问题进行研究,邀请106家指纹鉴定机构参加4组指纹的测试,实验使用一款基于网络的指纹鉴定分析系统,记录每个机构在指纹鉴定中的工作过程,并使用统计学R软件对实验数据进行统计与分析。实验结果显示,不同的指纹鉴定机构之间做出判断与评估的准确性存在一定的差异,指纹鉴定人员点取特征的稳定性、选取特征的数量与现场手印质量之间存在显著关联。     

指纹鉴定人员点取细节特征稳定性问题研究

指纹鉴定意见是指纹鉴定人员结合自身从业经验并通过一系列的检验获得的,整个指纹鉴定过程是由感性上升至理性的认知过程。在指纹鉴定过程中,指纹鉴定人员辨别现场指印中细节特征点的能力是影响指纹鉴定意见的重要因素,在获得样本指印后,对照样本指印确认现场指印中的细节特征点则直接决定着鉴定意见。考察指纹鉴定人员在检验现场指印时点取细节特征点的结果,以及获得样本指印后对现场指印细节特征的变动情况,可以分析指纹鉴定人员在不同条件下判断现场指印细节特征点的认知变化,有助于判断指纹鉴定人员在分析阶段理解现场指印特征的程度,有助于考察样本指印对指纹鉴定人员点取特征产生的影响,进而分析点取特征稳定性与指纹鉴定能力之间的关系,为指纹管理人员评估指纹鉴定人员鉴定能力提供一定帮助。本文重点针对指纹鉴定人员点取特征的稳定性进行研究,邀请106家鉴定机构对4组指印进行特征点取,使用统计学工具对点取特征的结果进行统计与分析。实验结果表明:不同机构指纹鉴定人员点取特征的稳定性存在一定的差异性;指纹鉴定人员点取特征的稳定性与现场指印质量之间存在显著关系,高质量指印鉴定过程中,指纹鉴定人员选取特征的稳定较高,且样本指印未对鉴定人员的认知能力产生影响,低质量指印鉴定过程中,指纹鉴定人员在分析阶段和比对阶段点取特征的稳定性较差,尤其在高低质量区交界处点取特征的离散程度较高;点取特征变化指数I可有效衡量指纹鉴定人员点取特征的稳定性,指纹管理人员可依据I值变化程度,评估机构或者鉴定人员的鉴定水平,进而采取相应培训措施,提高指纹鉴定过程中点取特征的稳定性,确保指纹鉴定质量。     

指纹鉴定结论概率化表达方式初探

指纹是少数可以直接认定人身的法庭科学物证之一，在侦查破案及法庭诉讼中发挥重要作用。目前指纹只有三种鉴定结论，认定、否定和不够条件。长久以来，现场指纹存在着大量不够鉴定条件的指纹并被废弃不用，但这些指纹具有重要的侦查及应用价值，采用概率化的表达方式可以让这些指纹发挥重要的证据作用。本文阐述了一种对指纹进行扇形分区划分和特征统计的数学建模方法，研究统计了1 500万枚指纹图像的特征分布，拟合出各个扇区内部特征的概率密度函数，并采用贝叶斯准则和添加噪声进行修正，最终得出指纹鉴定结论的概率。本研究所计算出的指纹鉴定概率与指纹匹配特征点的数量、价值及特征稳定度成正相关，与扇区内部特征出现的概率成负相关，能够在一定程度上解决指纹匹配特征的相似概率问题，为指纹鉴定提供了新的思路与办法。研究结果能够使大量不够鉴定条件的指纹重新发挥证据价值，使指纹鉴定从定性走向定量。指纹鉴定结论概率化表达方式结合其他法庭科学证据进行量化分析，在认定犯罪嫌疑人方面具有巨大潜力，是法庭科学发展的新趋势。     

相似异源指纹研究进展及展望

指纹鉴定错案的发生引发了对指纹证据科学性要求的提高,伴随着指纹数据库的不断扩增,指纹相似异源问题已经成为指纹检验领域的重要研究内容之一,其对指纹鉴定标准的构建具有重要意义,也给指纹鉴定带来风险和挑战。本文首先介绍相似异源指纹的研究背景以及概念,然后从相似异源指纹的产生原因和鉴定错误率两方面展开综述,最后结合研究现状对其未来的发展趋势提出几点展望,以期补充指纹鉴定基础理论,为指纹证据的量化评价提供一定的参考。     

法庭科学指纹鉴定几个关键问题的研究进展

指纹鉴定标准、指纹特征和指纹自动识别系统（automatic fi ngerprint identifi cation system, AFIS）均是指纹鉴定中重要的研究内容。近年来，鉴定结论概率化成为了鉴定标准的发展趋势，指纹特征研究也逐步从二级特征走向三级特征，进入到了更微观的领域。然而随着指纹大库的建立以及三级特征的研究，AFIS的发展面临一些技术瓶颈并亟待加入机器学习等新技术。因此，本文对以上三方面相关研究的最新成果展开综述，在总结指纹鉴定存在的问题的同时，对其未来的发展趋势作出几点展望，力求给指纹的研究提供新视野和新思路。     

论“鉴定必明”、“鉴定必准”与提供证据要求的冲突

本文是针对＂鉴定结论必须明确＂的立法建议和＂鉴定结论必须准确＂的鉴定工作发展目标提出的质疑。认为＂鉴定结论必须明确＂不符合提供证据的法律要求,以六条理由论证这一建议不宜采纳,主张以＂鉴定结论应当符合科学技术标准＂作为对鉴定结论的立法要求。文中以五条依据分析＂鉴定必准＂是一个难以实现的工作目标,主张＂鉴定结论应当客观真实＂才具有可行性,才符合证据规范。     

数字化描述指纹鉴定结论的初探

目的 针对指纹鉴定常用的5类纹型所占的概率、4类细节特征点所占的概率及4类细节特征点组合概率,探讨用数字计算出指纹鉴定结论相同概率的方法.方法 取已破案件被比中人员中具有5类纹型及4类细节特征点的指纹1000人份,分为10组,每组100人份进行概率分析.结果 指纹的5类纹型、4类细节特征点及组合概率存在稳定的规律.结论 可以数字化描述指纹鉴定结论.     

指纹三级特征的研究现状及展望

现场指纹质量的变化，鉴定标准的多样化以及错案带来的挑战，使得指纹鉴定人员把目光从宏观的指纹特征转向微观的指纹特征。随着指纹显现提取技术的不断进步，三级特征逐渐出现在指纹鉴定人员的视野并被理解和应用，对三级特征的研究也处于活跃状态。本文从指纹三级特征的基本属性、可靠性、自动识别以及鉴定属性四个方面，对当前国内外指纹三级特征的研究现状进行全面深入的分析和归纳，明确了三级特征研究的进程，并对未来三级特征的研究方向进行了探讨，为三级特征融入指纹证据评价提供了一定的借鉴。     

对尸体指纹种类认定依据的研究

指纹状态属性的认定是当前指纹鉴定工作的一个新课题。指纹鉴定中的押名指印一般情况下都是押名人生前主动捺印形成的,但在实践中有时会出现作案人为了扰乱侦查视线、逃避惩罚或获取某种利益,而利用尸体指纹捺印伪造死者生前的押名指印的情况,因此对尸体指纹种类认定的研究将有助于侦查破案或对事实的确认。早期尸体现象是尸体指纹具备区别于活体指纹的特定性和相对稳定性的关键,再加上指纹本身所具有的反映性,这＂三性＂共同构成了尸体指纹种类认定的科学基础,为判定尸体指纹提供了理论依据。对于尸体指纹的研究,一方面须得益于尸体指纹捺印外观特征规律的深入总结,而另一方面也需要将微观层面的尸体指纹汗孔特征作为研究的切入点。总之,研究的最终目的就是提高尸体指纹种类认定的科学可靠性,进而使这一认定结论能作为一种科学的鉴定意见在诉讼中运用。     

指印检验新方面

100多年来指印鉴定一直是犯罪侦查最有效的个体识别手段,在物证鉴定领域占据重要地位,上世纪80~90年代指印检验技术研究的重要进步更是使指印物证技术应用达到一个新的水平。最近几年指印技术研究又取得许多新进展和突破,特别是在指印显现技术和指印纹线物质成分分析方面开创了新方法和新方向,形成指印物证应用新体系,但同时在指印鉴定结论可靠性方面也出现新争议。     

探析高分辨率指纹特定条件下三级特征的稳定性

目的探索油墨捺印指纹显现三级特征稳定性的影响因素,排除主观条件的影响。方法在最适宜的条件下,通过油墨捺印采集不同压力下的指纹样本,清晰地显出指纹三级特征,用高分辨率扫描仪扫描试验样本,保存指纹样本,最后分析了指纹汗孔、细点线、纹线形态、皱纹等三级特征的反映性及稳定性,确定其鉴定价值。结果油墨捺印法对三级特征的反映性不够理想,汗孔、纹线形态特征、细点线特征及皱纹在不同压力下的稳定性较差。其中,各个三级特征在轻压下的反映性及稳定性较为接近实际,捺印的压力越大则三级特征变形越大,甚至完全变形成为另外一种特征。结论所以如果将此法应用于指纹比对时,仍需进一步的研究与改进。     

Introducing a semi-automatic method to simulate large numbers of forensic fingermarks for research on fingerprint identification

Statistical research on fingerprint identification and the testing of automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) performances require large numbers of forensic fingermarks. These fingermarks are rarely available. This study presents a semi-automatic method to create simulated fingermarks in large quantities that model minutiae features or images of forensic fingermarks. This method takes into account several aspects contributing to the variability of forensic fingermarks such as the number of minutiae, the finger region, and the elastic deformation of the skin. To investigate the applicability of the simulated fingermarks, fingermarks have been simulated with 5-12 minutiae originating from different finger regions for six fingers. An AFIS matching algorithm was used to obtain similarity scores for comparisons between the minutiae configurations of fingerprints and the minutiae configurations of simulated and forensic fingermarks. The results showed similar scores for both types of fingermarks suggesting that the simulated fingermarks are good substitutes for forensic fingermarks.     

论司法鉴定中的指印鉴定

随着司法改革的不断发展,司法鉴定的科学性、公正性、中立性越来越受到人们关注,而在司法鉴定中,指印鉴定在检材、样本方面与公、检、法所受理的鉴定有所不同,应从“吃透”检材,寻找确定特征,注意字迹对纹线的影响,鉴定结论和提高鉴定人员综合素质等方面做好鉴定工作。     

Fingerprint error rate on close non‐matches

The accuracy of fingerprint identifications is critically important to the administration of criminal justice. Accuracy is challenging when two prints from different sources have many common features and few dissimilar features. Such print pairs, known as close non‐matches (CNMs), are increasingly likely to arise as ever‐growing databases are searched with greater frequency. In this study, 125 fingerprint agencies completed a mandatory proficiency test that included two pairs of CNMs. The false‐positive error rates on the two CNMs were 15.9% (17 out of 107, 95% C.I.: 9.5%, 24.2%) and 28.1% (27 out of 96, 95% C.I.: 19.4%, 38.2%), respectively. These CNM error rates are (a) inconsistent with the popular notion that fingerprint evidence is nearly infallible, and (b) larger than error rates reported in leading fingerprint studies. We conclude that, when the risk of CNMs is high, the probative value of a reported fingerprint identification may be severely diminished due to an elevated false‐positive error risk. We call for additional CNM research, including a replication and expansion of the present study using a representative selection of CNMs from database searches.     

Integrated DNA and Fingerprint Analyses in the Identification of 60‐Year‐Old Mummified Human Remains Discovered in an Alaskan Glacier

Abstract: This report describes the identification of a merchant mariner who perished in 1948 when Northwest Airlines Flight 4422, a DC‐4 carrying 24 seamen and six crew members crashed into Mount Sanford, Alaska. Fifty‐one years later, a human forearm and hand were found close by the wreckage of the plane, prompting identification efforts using DNA and fingerprints. There were significant challenges to both the fingerprint and DNA analyses. The hand was badly desiccated, making fingerprint friction‐ridge detail almost invisible and the remains had been embalmed upon discovery, making DNA amplification difficult. We present the results of an interdisciplinary approach that successfully addressed these challenges and ultimately led to the identification of the remains. These efforts relied on efficient fingerprint rejuvenation and imaging techniques that improved print resolution, as well as new DNA extraction techniques optimized for aggressively embalmed remains.     

Evidence evaluation in fingerprint comparison and automated fingerprint identification systems--modelling within finger variability

Recent challenges and errors in fingerprint identification have highlighted the need for assessing the information content of a papillary pattern in a systematic way. In particular, estimation of the statistical uncertainty associated with this type of evidence is more and more called upon. The approach used in the present study is based on the assessment of likelihood ratios (LRs). This evaluative tool weighs the likelihood of evidence given two mutually exclusive hypotheses. The computation of likelihood ratios on a database of marks of known sources (matching the unknown and non-matching the unknown mark) allows an estimation of the evidential contribution of fingerprint evidence. LRs are computed taking advantage of the scores obtained from an automated fingerprint identification system and hence are based exclusively on level II features (minutiae). The AFIS system attributes a score to any comparison (fingerprint to fingerprint, mark to mark and mark to fingerprint), used here as a proximity measure between the respective arrangements of minutiae. The numerator of the LR addresses the within finger variability and is obtained by comparing the same configurations of minutiae coming from the same source. Only comparisons where the same minutiae are visible both on the mark and on the print are therefore taken into account. The denominator of the LR is obtained by cross-comparison with a database of prints originating from non-matching sources. The estimation of the numerator of the LR is much more complex in terms of specific data requirements than the estimation of the denominator of the LR (that requires only a large database of prints from an non-associated population). Hence this paper addresses specific issues associated with the numerator or within finger variability. This study aims at answering the following questions: (1) how a database for modelling within finger variability should be acquired; (2) whether or not the visualisation technique or the choice of different minutiae arrangements may influence that modelling and (3) what is the magnitude of LRs that can be expected from such a model. Results show that within finger variability is affected by the visualisation technique used on the mark, the number of minutiae and the minutiae configuration. They also show that the rates of misleading evidence in the likelihood ratios obtained for one of the configurations examined are low.     

Fingerprint Change: Not Visible,But Tangible

Hand–foot syndrome, a chemotherapy‐induced cutaneous toxicity, can cause an alteration in fingerprints causing a setback for cancer patients due to the occurrence of false rejections. A colon cancer patient was fingerprinted after not having been able to use fingerprint recognition devices after 6 months of adjuvant chemotherapy. The fingerprint images were digitally processed to improve fingerprint definition without altering the papillary design. No evidence of skin toxicity was present. Two months later, the situation returned to normal. The fingerprint evaluation conducted on 15 identification points highlighted the quantitative and qualitative fingerprint alteration details detected after the end of chemotherapy and 2 months later. Fingerprint alteration during chemotherapy has been reported, but to our knowledge, this particular case is the first ever reported without evident clinical signs. Alternative fingerprint identification methods as well as improved biometric identification systems are needed in case of unexpected situations.