Forensic Toolmark Comparisons

Forensic practitioners determine whether two marks were generated by the same tool by observing the 2D images of the marks using a comparison microscope and deciding whether the “surface contours of two toolmarks are in sufficient agreement” based on the examiner’s subjective opinion that another tool could not have made the marks. Objective measures produce consistent results, have transparent processes, and have less uncertainty in conclusions. This study proposes a novel algorithm (an objective method) for forensic toolmark comparisons that can compare marks made at different angles and directions, and provide a measure of uncertainty.