OSAC’s New Process Map Focuses on Firearms Examinations

Overview of the Firearms Process Map.

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science, in partnership with the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE), has just released a process map that describes the process that most firearms examiners use when analyzing evidence. The Firearms Process Map provides details about the procedures, methods and decision points most frequently encountered in firearms examination.

From the OSAC press release:

“This map can benefit the firearm discipline by providing a behind-the-scenes perspective into the various components and complexities involved in the firearms examination process. It can also be used to identify best practices, reduce errors, assist in training new examiners and highlight areas where further research or standardization would be beneficial.”

The Firearms Process Map was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Forensic Science Research Program through a collaboration with OSAC’s Firearms & Toolmarks Subcommittee and the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE).

Additional process maps are available from OSAC, including a Friction Ridge Process Map and Speaker Recognition Process Map.

Read the OSAC press release.

Closed Source Forensic Software: Confronting the Evidence?

There is a persistent underlying flaw in the criminal justice system, stemming from unvalidated forensic science cloaked in intellectual property. Not only does this pose a risk when forensic evidence is a key factor in criminal convictions, but it also reveals how confidential forensic technology could violate defendants’ constitutional rights. 

Forensic analysis software, used to generate evidence in criminal trial proceedings, frequently contains closed source code. Such proprietary software prevents the scientific community, the public, juries, attorneys, and defendants from accessing the fundamental methods — or potential errors therein — that can ultimately influence verdicts. This creates a pathway for individuals to be wrongly convicted as a result of jurors being swayed by flawed evidence disguised as good science. 

An excellent example is the case of United States v. Ellis, in which DNA was the key evidence used against the defendant accused of illegal firearm possession. The police forensic lab found the DNA analysis inconclusive, prompting further analysis by third-party-owned software. With multiple hypotheses and test variations run on the sample, the prosecution relied on the result of one particular analysis based on the assumption that the defendant was one of four possible contributors to the DNA sample. 

When Mr. Ellis’ attorney requested access to the source code, “…the government refused to disclose it, arguing that the information is protected by trade secrets.” 

In response, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania filed an amicus with the United States District Court of the Western District of Pennsylvania, outlining the inconsistency between closed source code, the defendants’ Sixth Amendment rights, and the right of the public to oversee the criminal trial. 

“Source code, and other aspects of forensic software programs used in a criminal prosecution, must be disclosed in order to ensure that innocent people do not end up behind bars,” said the EFF. “Or worse — on death row.”

While it is understandable that developers of forensic software wish to protect their intellectual property, it raises a fundamental question: should IP be protected at the expense of civil rights? To protect the innocent, maintain public oversight, and ensure the advancement of forensic science practices, the curtain must be pulled back on protected methodologies. Arguably, the benefits of doing so would lead to fairer trials and greater trust in the scientific tools utilized within the criminal justice system.

Click here to learn more about CSAFE’s commitment to open source tools.

NIST and Noblis Seek Participants for Bullet Black Box Study

Are you a US firearms examiner who has conducted operational casework in the past year? NIST and Noblis are seeking participants for a bullet black-box study to evaluate the accuracy, repeatability, and reproducibility of bullet comparisons by firearms examiners.

Study Overview

Participants will conduct 100 comparisons over a period of approximately 6-7months. The test will be conducted by sending the physical samples to the participants in 10 packets, each of which contains 10 bullet sets for comparison. The test samples will be a range of bullets that will be collected under ground-truth controlled conditions, attempting to be as broadly representative of casework as practical. Firearms, calibers, and ammunition frequently encountered in casework will be used. Custom web-based software will be used to record examiner responses, and transmit responses back to the test administrators.

Interested in participating? Email Firearms@noblis.org. Additional details can be found on the NIST flyer.

Now Available Online: NIJ Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium

NIJ Forensic Science Research and Devlopment Symposium

Did you miss the 2020 National Institute of Justice (NIJ) Forensic Science Research and Development Symposium at the AAFS Annual Meeting? You can now watch the program online. In this session, NIJ brings together practitioners and researchers to work towards moving research from theory to practice.

The NIJ Forensic Science R&D Program funds both basic and applied research projects to:

(1) Increase the body of knowledge to guide and inform forensic science policy and practice

(2) Result in the production of useful materials, devices, systems, or methods that have the potential for forensic application.

Watch the symposium or review the proceedings to learn more about new forensic science approaches and applications and how the community can work together to elevate the status of forensic science.

NIST Releases New Report on Human Factors’ Role in Handwriting Evaluation

pen and handwritten text

All human activities carry a risk of error, and handwriting examination is no exception. To reduce errors in this field, NIST convened the Expert Working Group for Human Factors in Handwriting Examination. This expert panel sponsored by NIJ and NIST examined strategies to improve handwriting evaluation methods and outline best practices.

The Group produced a new report, Forensic Handwriting Examination and Human Factors: Improving the Practice Through a Systems Approach. The document takes a closer look at how human factors impact all aspects of handwriting examination, from documenting discriminating features, reporting results and testifying in court. 

In the report, you’ll also find a discussion of education, training, certification, and the role of quality assurance, quality control, and management in reducing errors.

CSAFE Resources for Improving Handwriting Evaluation 

CSAFE researchers are also working to improve objectivity and reduce errors in handwriting analysis. Our work aims to rigorously assess the role of complexity in signature analysis and relate complexity to examiner performance. We are also developing open-source software and publicly available statistical algorithms for writing comparison to help handwriting examiners integrate quantitative approaches in their work.

Handwriting Database

The CSAFE Handwriting Database is an interactive, public database designed for the development of statistical approaches to forensic handwriting evaluations.  

Handwriter 

CSAFE automatic matching algorithms provide objective and reproducible scores as a foundation for a fair judicial process. This R package utilizes a variety of functions to identify letters and features from handwritten documents.

 

Tips for Students Pursuing Careers in Forensic Science

The exciting role of forensic scientist combines the power of observation, inference and research-based analysis to fight crime. From identifying the time of death to taking a closer look at fingerprints found at the scene, these scientists play an essential role in forensic examinations and linking suspects to specific evidence. 

The expert training and education of different types of forensic scientists is key to the investigation process and trial proceedings. Are you interested in joining the field? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates jobs for forensic scientists will grow at twice the anticipated rate for other occupations, with a 17 percent increase between 2016 and 2026.  

Tips on Preparing to Become a Forensic Scientist

A forensic science job requires a minimum of a four-year bachelor’s degree in a field such as biology, chemistry or forensic science. Professionals recommend students seek out the following educational experiences to prepare for futures as a forensic investigator. 

  •     Search for a program with a strong academic core in natural sciences and math like biochemistry, toxicology, analytical chemistry and instrumental analysis. 
  • Obtain a thorough grounding in laboratory procedures and the use of scientific instruments. 
  • Build technical skills by taking courses in criminal justice, evidence handling and ethics.
  • Get acquainted with the criminal justice system and its processes through courses in criminology.
  • Develop strong written and oral communication skills to improve dialogue with law enforcement or explain findings to a judge and jury.
  • Seek out opportunities to gain additional hands-on experience through forensic science-related internships.

A Sneak Peek at an Advanced Degree

Students interested in jobs such as laboratory directors, professors or a specialist role can pursue advanced degrees. During a graduate program, you can choose a specialty such as ballistics, digital evidence or toxicology. In addition to classwork, master’s and Ph.D. students develop advanced skills in the laboratory. 

A Look at Continuing Education and Certifications

Education for the forensic scientist continues after the job begins with additional employer training. Certifications in various specialties such as blood pattern analysis, forensic photography and latent print analysis are available from organizations such as the International Association for Identification.

Impacting Society With A Career In Forensics

CSAFE offers students interested in pursuing forensic science careers the opportunity to discover how statistics apply to forensic evidence analysis. Learn more about our hands-on experiences for graduate and undergraduate students on our Forensic Education page and see how one student’s CSAFE research is preparing him for his dream job of DNA analyst.

Forensic science is a rigorous and demanding subject, but students committed to academic work and practical experience can stand out amongst other job applicants. Students can look forward to a gratifying career that contributes to the fair administration of justice.

 

First Interdisciplinary Training Standard Approved by OSAC

OSAC Registry Ribbon

The Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC) for Forensic Science registry of approved standards now includes its first interdisciplinary training standard. This new standard provides guidelines to help laboratories ensure their team stays up-to-date on the latest forensic science methods and best practices. 

 

According to OSAC, ASTM E2917-19a Standard Practice for Forensic Science Practitioner Training, Continuing Education, and Professional Development Programs outlines what essential knowledge, skills and abilities laboratory training programs should address. Previously, these types of standards existed only in DNA and seized drug analysis disciplines. The standard also specifies continuing education requirements for forensic science professionals. 

 

OSAC Registry standards define minimum requirements, best practices, scientific protocols and other guidance to help ensure that the results of forensic analysis are reliable and reproducible.

 

Access Details:

OSAC, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has entered into a contract with ASTM International that gives 30,000 public criminal justice agencies free access to standards published under ASTM Technical Committee E30 on Forensic Science. To access these standards, click the green “ASTM Standards Access” button on OSAC’s Access to Standards webpage to enter the ASTM Compass website.

What Do Forensic Laboratories Need to Succeed? A DOJ Needs Assessment Explains

examiner analyzing a shoe

How can organizations like CSAFE and the federal government help forensic laboratories succeed? What would be most beneficial as they seek to address the needs of the field?

The National Institute of Justice recently released a report to Congress asking these questions and more as they examined the interconnected relationship between forensic laboratories and the criminal justice system. The report details the results of a national needs assessment of forensic science service providers conducted in 2017-2018.

From the report:

“Forensic laboratories and ME/C (medical examiner/coroner’s) offices are constantly working to address the needs of the field, balancing operational priorities to meet stakeholder requests while introducing innovative solutions to solve emerging criminal justice questions. This needs assessment compiled demonstrative evidence of how the field is adapting to advancements in technology, the volume and types of forensic evidence, and the evolving needs of the justice system.”

The report outlines key needs in a variety of areas, such as sufficient funding and strategic planning to process increasing amounts of forensic evidence and continued efforts to strengthen quality assurance measures. The report also highlights challenges and promising practices, as well as addresses special topics. The American Academy of Forensic Sciences responded positively to this effort, and thanks Congress for its long-time support of forensic science.

Review the full report to learn more, and discover other ways the Department of Justice works to improve forensic science on their website.

NIST Ballistics Teams Preserves Kennedy Assassination Bullets

The NIST ballistics team recently undertook a unique project with great historical significance. Researchers created digital replicas of the bullet that fatally wounded beloved President John F. Kennedy using a 3D surface scanning microscope.

In partnership with the National Archives, NIST work will provide public access to these important artifacts while ensuring the originals remain safely preserved. For NIST, this project was simply about historic preservation. But now, anyone can perform forensic analysis of the bullet without risking damage to the original.

In a NIST article published on December 5, 2019, NIST explains the details.

“In the lab, the NIST ballistics team used a technique called focus variation microscopy to image the artifacts. At each location along the object’s surface, the microscope created a series of images at different focal distances. By analyzing which parts of those images were in focus, the microscope measured the distance to the object’s surface features. As the lens moved across the object, it built a 3D surface map of the microscopic landscape beneath it, like a satellite mapping a mountain range.”

While this was a special project, NIST researchers do spend significant time imaging bullets in their day-to-day work. Historically, forensic examiners match bullets by viewing them under a comparison microscope. They examine striations on a pair of bullets or microscopic photographs of those bullets to determine a match. The NIST ballistics team is working to provide greater detail and accuracy than 2D methods by using 3D surface maps.

It’s also developing methods so that, instead of just saying whether or not two bullets appear to match, forensic examiners will be able to statistically quantify their degree of similarity. CSAFE partners with NIST in this effort, conducting research to develop new and improved scientific methods for firearms and tool mark analysis.

Read more about the Kennedy bullet on the NIST website, and learn more about CSAFE advancements in bullet technology in our news section. We also invite you to visit our tools page and data portal, where you can find helpful resources to implement in your forensic analysis work.