Processing Stamp Bags for Latent Prints: Impacts of Rubric Selection and Gray-Scaling on Experimental Results

We report data on two open issues in our previous experimentation seeking an effective method for development of latent prints on glassine drug bags: (1) the choice of rubric to assess the quality of fingerprints and (2) the choice of whether to use color or gray-scale images. Two research projects were performed to evaluate the impact of the rubric choice and the color adjustments applied. The Dove rubric is preferable to the modified rubric previously used. Analysts report a more uniform application and a more thorough analysis resulting in an upward trend in scores. Although gray-scaling in experimentation is necessary to conceal which treatment was employed, native color images are preferable for casework. The results of this research quantitatively show the impact of native color as measured by the Dove rubric.