Introduction

 

Below you will find the course descriptions, learning outcomes, and attendee instructions for webinars offered through Evolve Forensics. Please visit the Schedule for specific dates and times. Please contact Alice White at Alice@EvolveForensics.com if you would like to schedule a private webinar or webinar series for your agency.

Your webinar instructors include: Dr. Glenn Langenburg (Elite Forensic Services) and Alice White (Evolve Forensics). These instructors have both been active in casework, research, standards development, and instruction since the earliest stages of their careers. Glenn and Alice both excel at breaking down complex concepts into useful kernels of information and packing an incredible amount of kernels into a short burst of time.

General Information

Webinar Attendance Policy: Webinars may only be attended by those registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for the specific webinar.

Rescheduling and Cancellations: To reschedule or cancel a registration, please contact Alice White via email: Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Software Requirements: Attendees are typically able to watch, listen, and participate via computer/tablet. If the attendee experiences audio issues with their computer/tablet, they can watch and participate on a computer/tablet and listen via phone. A computer with a functioning microphone is not required as attendees can type out questions and comments into the webinar platform. Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform).

While the wonderful world of technology makes distance learning possible, it is not always problem-free. If the attendee has connection problems and cannot join the webinar (or completely loses connection during the webinar), the attendee will be rescheduled.

Descriptions

Latent Print Suitability Boot Camp: Stabilizing Suitability Decisions

Registration for January 2024 Boot Camp will open in March 2023.

Approved for one hundred (100) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 100 hours completed over 6 weeks

Phase 1 – Performance Pre-Testing

Examiners will undergo a battery of pre-tests during Week #1 to assess current skill sets. The examiners will be provided detailed instructions and ground rules for each pre-test. The pre-tests include the following: 1) Suitability, 2) Search Parameters, 3) Minutiae Mark-Up, and 4) Distortion Interpretation. Further information regarding each assessment is provided below.

  • Suitability – The purpose of this pre-test is to assess the reasonableness of suitability decisions and ability to appropriately isolate individual latent prints on lift cards. The pre-test includes a range of latent prints from different sections of the friction ridge skin and different distortion factors. Each examiner is evaluated on their ability to select suitable latent prints, apply appropriate boundaries to latent prints, and use appropriate search parameter symbols.
  • Search Parameters – The second pre-test targets recognition of anatomical region and orientation of basic latent impressions. Grading occurs along four axes for each latent print: anatomical region, left-right designation, distal orientation, and appropriate uncertainty.
  • Minutiae Mark-Up – The third pre-test evaluates detection of true minutiae and recognition of false minutiae. The examiner is graded on the percentage of obvious true minutiae marked, the percentage of obscure true minutiae marked, and the percentage of false minutiae marked. Given the nature of the evidence and the nature of the human visual perception, it is reasonable to anticipate an average examiner will mark approximately 90% of obvious minutiae and 50% of obscure minutiae. It is also reasonable to expect less than 10% of the minutiae marked by an average examiner will be false minutiae.
  • Distortion Interpretation – The fourth pre-test gauges the ability to identify routine causes of distortion, support distortion interpretation with clues in the impressions, and articulate how the distortion factors affect the differences in appearance between latent print and known print sets. The examiner will be provided image pairs with readily distinguishable and ground truth causes of distortion. The examiner will be prompted with specific questions about the image pairs. For instance, “What distortion factor(s) would explain the differences in the distance and angle (black line) between the cluster of green minutiae and the cluster of pink minutiae? Explain how the distortion factor(s) could produce these differences.”

Each examiner will receive the results of their pre-tests. If the examiner is completing this training as part of their employment duties, results will also be provided to the agency/employer upon request.

Phase 2 – Training

After the diagnostic testing is complete, the training process begins. Lectures will be reinforced with practice exercises, mentoring, and feedback. Each week will focus on a skill set that supports consistent suitability decisions:

  • Search Parameters –Week #2 will review common feature sets that are highly diagnostic for assigning search parameters. The examiner will have an opportunity to practice anatomical region, orientation, left/right designators, and confidence ratings to a variety of latent prints.
  • Distortion Interpretation – Week #3 will unpack common causes of distortion, focusing on those distortion factors that impact 1) the ability to appropriately isolate individual impressions, 2) the ability to confidently assign search parameters, and 3) the ability to mark true minutiae.
  • Minutiae Mark-Up – Week #4 includes practice interpreting and marking up minutiae in a variety of distorted latent prints.
  • Applying Suitability Criteria – Week #5 brings the foundational skill sets to the suitability decision. During this final week of training, the examiners practice applying suitability criteria to a range of latent prints from different sections of the hands and different distortion factors. The final practice exercises reflect the difficulty and expectations for the final post-test in Week #6.

A detailed training schedule is provided below in the schedule.

Phase 3 – Performance Post-Testing

Week #6 of the course is a comprehensive performance test. A selection of latent prints will be provided to the examiners.  Each examiner will be graded on their ability to make appropriate suitability decisions, assign reasonable search parameters, mark true minutiae, and recognize distortion factors.

Each examiner will receive the results of their post-test. If the examiner is completing this training as part of their employment duties, results will also be provided to the agency/employer upon request.

Who will benefit?

This course benefits examiners (regardless of experience level) who are struggling to select appropriate latent prints for comparison or need to improve foundational skills (search parameters, distortion interpretation, and minutiae mark-up). This course also benefits examiners who are struggling with a transition to a more explicit suitability criteria as requested by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Organization of Scientific Area Committees (OSAC). This course will require attendees to follow specific suitability criterion during class; however, attendees will develop the foundational skills to pivot to the suitability criteria implemented by their agency/employer.

Requirements to Participate

  • Full commitment to the course is required. If an examiner misses more than two (2) meetings or more than two (2) deadlines during the six-week session, they will be removed from the program and there will be no refunds issued.
  • At a minimum, basic exposure to latent prints is required. This course is ideal for helping an examiner with some latent print experience.
  • Computer with sufficient memory and chutzpah (processing power) to manage numerous digital images up to 10MB each.
  • Digital imaging software to mark-up images (e.g., Adobe Photoshop ®)
  • Access to a scanner to create pdfs and jpgs of completed assignments
  • Access to GoToWebinar to attend lectures (ideally, the attendee can share their screen to discuss images)
  • Access to Microsoft OneDrive to download and upload files (jpgs and pdfs)

Comparative Dermatoglyphics: Fingers, Palms, and Feet (Three Day Series)

Approved for sixteen (16) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 16 hours over 3 days

During the analysis of a questioned friction ridge impression (e.g., latent print), the examiner must answer three questions:

1) Shall I keep this one?
2) Where should I look for it?
3) How should I look for it?

The question of “where” refers to the possible donor regions of skin. Is it a finger, palm, or foot? Am I certain it is a palm and not a foot? Am I certain it is a palm and could not possibly be a finger? The question of “how” refers to the orientation of the impression. Does the impression have sufficient distinguishing features that I only need to search in one orientation? Should alternative orientations be considered?

The key to optimal performance assigning anatomical regions and orientations is a suite of robust mental models of each region of the friction ridge skin. How do we build and maintain robust mental models? Exposure to friction ridge impressions of all regions of the skin with a focus on the similarities and differences in shape, size, creases, patterns, deltas, ridge flows, ridge counts, ridge lengths, ridge thicknesses, and ridge curvature. Robust regional mental models increase comparison efficiency via faster recognition of the various parts of the hands and feet and decreases risk of error by recognizing the appropriate conditions to widen search parameters (check other regions of the skin or alternative orientations).

This three-day course (completed in 16 hours over 3 days) provides dedicated time to explore the features across the friction ridge skin to build and enhance the examiner’s mental models for friction ridge impressions from the various parts of the hands and feet. Impressions of the friction ridge skin of the fingers, palms, and feet will be compared and contrasted to illuminate both the distinguishing features and the shared features. This course is focused on establishing where and how to look during the Analysis phase of ACE-V, it does not include comparisons.

Daily Schedule

Day 1 (6 hours) – Four (4) hour online + two (2) hours independent work due at the end of the day

Day 2 (6 hours) – Four (4) hour online + two (2) hours independent work due at the end of the day

Day 3 (4 hours) – Four (4) hours online + final quiz due in the afternoon

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to identify the embryological forces that establish ridge flows, patterns, and deltas on the hands and feet.
  • The attendee will be able to identify key shape differences in fingers, palms, and feet.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the typical differences in creases found in various regions of the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the rarity of patterns in different regions of the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the variation in the number of deltas and positions of deltas in the fingers, palms, and feet.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the importance of ridge counts between patterns and deltas in palms and feet.
  • The attendee will be able to identify factors that impact ridge thickness, ridge length, and ridge curvature in fingers, palms, and feet.
  • The attendee will be able to describe key elements that elevate or diminish confidence when assigning anatomical region and distal orientation.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link approximately one week before class to download the lecture handout and assignments. The main lecture handout will also be available during the webinar for download.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify these learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Discriminating Power of Friction Ridge Arrangements

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

Did you know the suggestion that “ridge units line up to form ridges” is based on a historical theory proposed in biology in the 1800’s called the theory of recapitulation? Although the theory of recapitulation was handed a death knell in the mid-1900’s by the budding field of genetics, the idea that “ridge units line up to form ridges” continued into the afterlife via the friction ridge discipline. In reality, embryologists have never observed ridge units lining up to form ridges in the friction ridge skin.

Did you know there are three factors (genetics, environment, and developmental noise) that are cited by biologists as causing variation in any trait, including the features in the friction ridge skin? When studying biological sources of variation in any given trait, “differential growth” is not listed as a reason. Why? Because “differential growth” does not mean “variable” or “unique”.

These misconceptions and more will be addressed as this lecture explores the following questions: Based on actual observations from embryologists, what is the sequence of events that leads to the formation of the friction ridge skin? What is developmental noise? What is developmental stability? What is fluctuating asymmetry? Why are some aspects of the friction ridge skin useful for determining the anatomical origin (finger, palm, foot) and distal orientation (up) of a latent print? Why are the arrangements of the ridges in the friction ridge skin highly discriminating? Which features of the friction ridge skin do twins tend to share in common and why? Why do people have different fingerprints on their own fingers? Why do pattern force regions tend to have a high density of common minutiae (ending ridges and bifurcations) all pointing the same direction? Why do thumbs and index fingers have more minutiae, and more variety of complex minutiae, than the other fingers? Everything starts with the skin…

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to recognize the following: surface ridge, surface furrow, primary ridge, and secondary ridge.
  • The attendee will be able to list the factors that influence human variation.
  • The attendee will be able to define developmental stability and developmental noise.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the three major contributors to friction ridge skin growth stresses.
  • The attendee will be able to list the basic sequence of events during the formation of the friction ridges.
  • The attendee will be able to identify factors that create low specificity or high specificity combinations of ridge features.
  • The attendee will be able to identify the reasons monozygotic twins share remarkable similarity in patterns and ridge counts on corresponding fingers.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize regional variation in minutiae directions.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize regional variation of minutiae densities.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Beyond the Discriminating Power of Friction Ridge Arrangements – Applying What You Learned

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Langenburg

Duration: 4 hours

In this webinar, attendees will apply the fundamental concepts highlighted in “Discriminating Power of Friction Ridge Arrangements”. Participants will have a chance to analyze latent prints and guesstimate specificity using their ‘training and experience’ factor (e.g., ‘subjective probability’). Then we will compare our predicted results to output results from a statistical model that uses an AFIS database (approximately 1 million fingerprints) to estimate the relative specificity for given configurations.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to list the significant research on this topic.
  • The attendee will be able to define the concept of specificity.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how developmentally stable features and developmentally ‘noisy’ features directly impact the specificity of the characteristics.
  • The attendee will be able to demonstrate how specificity relates to ‘suitability’ and ‘sufficiency’ determinations.
  • The attendee will understand how the specificity of minutiae arrangements, and not the number of minutiae, is the critical factor for determining ‘suitability’ and ‘sufficiency’.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize how different regions of the fingers/palms can influence minutiae densities, orientation, and arrangements.
  • The attendee will be able to predict the relative specificity of various clusters of minutiae, based on region of the finger, orientation, type of minutiae, and spatial relationships.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize factors in close non-matches that can lead to errors.
  • The attendee will be able to list steps that can be taken to minimize error when using AFIS.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link several days before class to download the handouts and images. This will give you an opportunity to come to the webinar with the exercises already prepared and we can discuss as a group. The pre-course work may take about an hour to review. If you are unable to download or work the exercises in time, you can still participate in the webinar, but you will have less time to review the exercises in real time.

Course Pre-Requisites: It is helpful, but not required, to attend Discriminating Power of Friction Ridge Arrangements (taught by Alice White). You do not need to know anything about statistics, statistical models, or probability theory. We will touch on these topics, but in a very practical and understandable manner, and as they relate to demonstrating the learning outcomes.

Post-Course: There will be an opportunity to have a few post-course exercises on your own. Glenn will set up ‘office hours’ where participants may come and discuss, receive feedback, learn ground truth, etc.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

For questions regarding the course content, please contact Glenn Langenburg via email at Glenn@EliteForensicServices.com

For questions regarding registration and payment processes, please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Limits of Uniqueness in the Friction Ridge Impressions

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification (can be applied toward testimony training hours).

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

Why can impressions of the friction ridge skin be used as a means of identification? This webinar will unpack the important differences between the following responses:

Response #1 “Fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints can be used as a means of identification because they are unique and permanent. Each fingerprint, palm print, and footprint in the world is unique and these prints remain unchanged from before birth until decomposition after death.”

Response #2 “Impressions of the friction ridge skin are a valuable means of identification because of the nature of the skin itself and because of the comparison skills exhibited by trained examiners. As far as the skin is concerned, the features the friction ridge skin show remarkable variation in the population, which means these features can be used to tell one person from another. Many of the skin’s features are also relatively stable over time, which means they can be used to track a person from one year to the next. Most importantly, trained examiners demonstrate a high degree of accuracy when assessing these features to determine the source of a given impression.“

The first response contains over-simplified statements that can be disputed with published research and glosses over one very important aspect of using prints as a means of identification – it requires an examiner! The second response can be supported with published research and avoids exposing an examiner to impeachment with published treatises during testimony.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to identify important contextual information regarding historical statements about uniqueness in textbooks published by Galton; Cummins & Midlo; Wentworth & Wilder; Ashbaugh; and Tuthill & George.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the proper definition of differential growth and the impact of differential growth on the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to identify the source of the flawed assumption that ridge units line up to form ridges during embryological development of the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to identify important contextual information regarding historical statements about permanence.
  • The attendee will be able to identify key events that warned the friction ridge community about limits to uniqueness.
  • The attendee will be able to identify factors that have impeded the friction ridge community’s ability to re-frame issues regarding the concept of uniqueness.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the main criticisms of extolling the virtues of global uniqueness of fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize those statements that explicitly or implicitly invoke the world’s population.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize over-statements regarding “permanence” of the features of the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the importance of incorporating examiner accuracy early in testimony as a foundation of friction ridge examinations.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Limits of Persistency in the Friction Ridge Skin

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

This webinar is adapted from elements of the Analysis of Distortion in Latent Prints workshop that Alice has taught since 2006. Tenprint and latent print examiners should be aware that the friction ridge skin is not permanent, nor globally persistent, from before birth until decomposition after death. In this webinar Alice will introduce the changes that take place in the friction ridge skin throughout your lifetime.

The first changes actually take place in the skin as the hands and feet grow to their adult size. Did you know that some ridges will predominantly grow in length while others predominantly grow in width? This growth process actually alters certain aspects of the friction ridge skin.

During the busy lifetime of an individual, the skin can change due to injuries and disease. Sometimes these issues are temporary, and the skin returns to the “pre-injury” or “pre-disease” state. Other times however, injuries can alter ridge patterns, ridge paths, and minutiae.

As people pass through middle age, changes occur once again. Did you know that incipient ridges tend to blossom in the furrows throughout your lifetime? Are you aware that the ridges themselves tend to change in length and width and that ridge edge shapes often change dramatically with age?

This lecture will provide numerous examples and explain how these changes take place. This will help friction ridge examiners to 1) recognize common changes in the friction ridge skin, 2) recognize the conditions under which to expect these types of changes and 3) explain differences caused by these changes based on the anatomy and physiology of the friction ridge skin.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to list the three tissues of the skin.
  • The attendee will be able to identify the types of cells in the epidermis and their function.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the changes in the friction ridge skin that take place as a foot or hand grows to adult size.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize warts and psoriasis/eczema in the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the difference between superficial damage and scars.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the impact of time on superficial damage and scars.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize scars in the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to explain the reasons scars can look more or less severe.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the major changes that take place in the friction ridge skin with advanced age.
  • The attendee will be able to identify the underlying reasons for age-related changes in the friction ridge skin.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Basic Fingerprint Distortion

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

This webinar is adapted from elements of the Analysis of Distortion in Latent Prints workshop that Alice has taught since 2006. In this webinar Alice will introduce basic concepts in contact mechanics (what happens to the skin when it makes contact with a surface) and the transfer of friction ridge features to impressions under four common circumstances.

We will explore basic touches under different deposition pressures and evaluate the changes in the following: overall size and shape of a fingerprint, ridge and furrow width, feature type, edge shapes, incipient ridges, and wrinkles/secondary creases.

Further, we will explore anomalies and difficulties presented by skin that wobbles on the surface, double touches/overlays, and double taps. Numerous images and videos will be used to illustrate these commonly encountered distortions.

While this class is titled “Basic”, this course covers some challenging interpretation issues related to tonal issues created when the skin wobbles on the surface, sources of false minutiae, and the illusion of continuity created by double touches and double taps.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to list the three layers of the skin.
  • The attendee will be able to define compressive stress, shearing stress, and torque.
  • The attendee will be able to define stick region, incipient slip, and gross slip.
  • The attendee will be able to identify changes that take place in the size of a fingerprint under different deposition pressures.
  • The attendee will be able to identify changes that take place in the ridge and furrow widths under different deposition pressures.
  • The attendee will be able to identify changes that take place in edge shapes and feature type under different deposition pressures.
  • The attendee will be able to identify changes that take place in incipient ridges and wrinkles/secondary creases under different deposition pressures.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the differences between wobble, double touch, and double tap.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Advanced Fingerprint Distortion

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

This webinar is adapted from elements of the Analysis of Distortion in Latent Prints workshop that Alice has taught since 2006. In this course Alice will introduce the anatomical structures of the finger that influence the behavior of the friction ridge skin when it moves on a surface.

After reviewing basic concepts and terminology in contact mechanics, attendees will learn how the skin behaves under four different types of shearing stress. For each type of shearing stress, the attendee will be able to view videos of the skin deforming as it slides on the surface and the resulting latent print.

In some of the most complicated samples, Alice will demonstrate what happens when shearing stress is accompanied by changes in compressive stress or angle of contact. The possible risks of treating these impressions “as one impression” will be discussed and examples provided.

Important lessons from this webinar include 1) sources of missing or false minutiae and 2) how the effects of shearing stress lead to incorrect interpretation of deposition pressure.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to list the main anatomical structures of the finger.
  • The attendee will be able to define elastic deformation.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how deposition pressure affects center of ridge to center of ridge measurements.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize the elements of shearing stress in latent fingerprints.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize the direction of shearing stress in latent fingerprints.
  • The attendee will be able to define stick region, incipient slip, and gross slip.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how shearing stress affects center of ridge to center of ridge measurements.
  • The attendee will be able to explain how compression wrinkles can be induced in friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize misaligned ridges in latent fingerprints.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Tonal Transitions: Causes and Visual Effects

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

This webinar is adapted from elements of the Analysis of Distortion in Latent Prints workshop that Alice has taught since 2006. Ideally, the ridges in the friction ridge skin contact a surface and transfer an even coating of residue to the surface. This residue is then targeted by a latent print development technique, resulting in an impression that has distinctive ridges and furrows that require minimal eye strain to follow. But the world of latent prints is rarely so neat and tidy.

In this webinar we will look at many ways the ridges and furrows stray from this ideal condition. We will first discuss the composition of latent print residue (research has demonstrated it is NOT 98-99% water – we will dive into the source of this misconception). We will then discuss the different ways residue can be distributed across the surface of the skin and how this distribution matters when a surface is touched.

After contact with a surface has been made, the manner in which the skin slides through the residue wreaks all kinds of havoc on the tone of the ridges and furrows – we will explore the many visual anomalies associated with movement. Lastly, we will discuss the impact of surfaces that already have contaminants and how this affects the transfer of residue, and consequently the appearance of the ridges and furrows.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to describe the three-dimensional features of the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to list the main components of latent print residue.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the different ways residue can be distributed on the friction ridge skin.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how the distribution of the residue on the skin impacts the transfer of the residue to a surface and creates tonal transitions.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize variation in ridge and furrow appearance due to movement of the friction ridge skin on a surface.
  • The attendee will be able to explain how contaminated surfaces can impact the tonal appearance of ridges and furrows.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Examination of Bloody Friction Ridge Impressions

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Langenburg

Duration: 4 hours

Blood matrix can be one of the more difficult factors affecting the interpretation of friction ridges. Owing to its unique composition, blood creates many unusual artifacts in friction ridge impressions. We will examine the range of bloody impressions from liquid, to tacky, to nearly dry. Furthermore, we will examine the typical characteristics that manifest in bloody impressions. We will watch the moments blood impressions are deposited and what happens to them as they dry. Finally, we will review the literature and research regarding ‘activity level’ statements such as if a bloody impression was made in blood or made with blood.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to identify the characteristics of blood.
  • The attendee will be able to identify critical research studies demonstrating the deposition of bloody fingerprints.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize the influence of substrates on blood depositions.
  • The attendee will be able to identify the effects of pressure, volume, and drying on blood print depositions.
  • The attendee will be able to describe typical artifacts and distortions encountered in bloody impressions.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize different activity level scenarios related to the deposition of bloody impressions.
  • The attendee will be able to list the limitations of examining bloody impressions.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link several days before class to download the handouts and supporting literature. If you are unable to access the link due to agency restrictions, the handouts will be available during the webinar for downloading as well.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

For questions regarding the course content, please contact Glenn Langenburg via email at Glenn@EliteForensicServices.com

For questions regarding registration and payment processes, please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Implementing the Expanded OSAC Conclusion Scale

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Langenburg

Duration: 4 hours

Attendees will review the 2018 OSAC proposed standard “Standard for Friction Ridge Examination Conclusions” and Glenn will outline how to introduce and implement this standard into ISO accredited procedures. We will explore the importance of qualitative versus quantitative results, relative magnitude, and how to understand the significance of these terms. We will define these terms and how they differ from current terms. Glenn will propose methods for testing the use of this scale and what is required to implement the standard into casework in an accredited agency.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to define qualitative and quantitative likelihood ratios (LRs).
  • The attendee will be able to define the OSAC categorical conclusions.
  • The attendee will be able to list and define the competing source propositions.
  • The attendee will be able to explain the importance of relative magnitude of support.
  • The attendee will be able to apply the OSAC terms to practical examples of latent prints.
  • The attendee will be able to describe methods for testing and implementing the terms into casework.
  • The attendee will be able to describe reporting language and requirements.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how conflict resolution is impacted by the use of this scale.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link several days before class to download the handouts and images. This will give you an opportunity to come to the webinar with the exercises already prepared and we can discuss as a group. The pre-course work may take about an hour to review. If you are unable to download or work the exercises in time, you can still participate in the webinar, but you will have less time to review the exercises in real time.

Course Pre-Requisites: You should have an understanding of current reporting practices and the current SWGFAST/ENFSI conclusions in the field of fingerprints (i.e., Identification, Exclusion, Inconclusive, and various forms of Inconclusive).

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

For questions regarding the course content, please contact Glenn Langenburg via email at Glenn@EliteForensicServices.com

For questions regarding registration and payment processes, please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Introduction to Palm Prints (Four Day Series)

Approved for twenty-four (24) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 24 hours over 4 days

This four-part webinar is dedicated to the friction ridge skin of the palms. Each region of the palms has distinctive ridge flows, patterns, deltas, and creases that can be exploited to determine the anatomical sub-region, left/right handedness, and distal orientation of partial impressions (e.g. latent prints). Additionally, deltas and patterns on the palms have distributions within the population that inform the rarity of these features during the ACE (Analysis, Comparison, and Evaluation) process.

During the lecture we will cover each region of the palm and attendees will practice left/right hand determinations. After the lecture, attendees will have region-specific comparison exercises to complete before the next day. A challenging, mixed region, palm print comparison will round out the last day. This webinar summarizes original palm print data published by Alice (Maceo) White in the Encyclopedia of Forensic Science.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to assign proper left/right designations to impressions from the interdigital region.
  • The attendee will be able to assign proper distal orientation to impressions from the interdigital region.
  • The attendee will be able to assign proper left/right designations to impressions from the hypothenar region.
  • The attendee will be able to assign proper distal orientation to impressions from the hypothenar region.
  • The attendee will be able to assign proper left/right designations to impressions from the thenar region.
  • The attendee will be able to assign proper distal orientation to impressions from the thenar region.
  • The attendee will be able to compare partial palm prints to exemplar palm prints and render accurate conclusions.

Course Handouts: One to two weeks prior to the first day of class, attendees will receive a link with the handouts for the class and printing instructions. The handouts include the lecture content and practical exercises. There will be no refunds once the handouts have been provided. Attendees must be able to print the practical exercises or be able to perform comparisons onscreen using a pdf of the unknowns and knowns.

This is a live webinar series and all four sessions must be attended live to receive a certificate.

Attendees must locate at least 70% of the identifications in the four comparison practicals in order to receive a certificate for this course.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (comparison answer sheet platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Resolving Conflict in Friction Ridge Examinations

Approved for three (3) hours toward IAI Latent Print Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Langenburg

Duration: 3 hours

Conflicting opinions in friction ridge examinations are inevitable events. Some agencies do not have a policy for resolving conflict; some that do have them are not very specific. How are examiners supposed to “see if they can resolve the conflict” if there are not specific recommendations and clear instructions for doing so? This webinar explores concrete methods for resolving conflict and deciding what to report. We will use case examples to illustrate specific scenarios and how to resolve them.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to define conflict resolution.
  • The attendee will be able to identify critical research studies that demonstrate conflicting conclusions.
  • The attendee will be able to apply the Montani Method for identifying the source of conflict.
  • The attendee will understand how differences in likelihood ratios lead to conflicting opinions.
  • The attendee will be able to describe different reporting mechanisms for conflicting opinions.
  • The attendee will be able to identify and locate sources for developing conflict resolution protocols.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link several days before class to download the handouts and supporting literature. If you are unable to access the link due to agency restrictions, the handouts will be available during the webinar for downloading as well.

NOTE: This course will use the 2018 Proposed OSAC Conclusion Scale as a means of conversing about examiners’ opinions. Attendees need not have attended “Implementing the OSAC Conclusion Scale” webinar, but it will be helpful in this course.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

For questions regarding the course content, please contact Glenn Langenburg via email at Glenn@EliteForensicServices.com

For questions regarding registration and payment processes, please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

The Trouble With Exclusions

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

This course will use three regions of the friction ridge skin to demonstrate the difficulty with exclusions: extreme tips of fingers, extreme edges of fingers, and impressions from proximal and medial phalanges. These regions will illustrate the importance of understanding the completeness of exemplar prints and appropriate conclusions.

With tips and edges of fingers we will focus on the challenge of approximating the distance and angle to the core or a delta. With the lower segments of the finger we will focus on the challenges of determining 1) medial from proximal segment, 2) lateral position along the segment, and 3) variation in the recording of the secondary creases.

In addition to these problematic areas of the friction ridge skin, Alice will demonstrate same source samples that would likely result in a high false exclusion rate simply due to the differences caused by distortion. Attendees should leave this webinar with a better grasp of why the false exclusion rate will likely always be higher than the false identification rate.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to describe the two phases of the comparison process.
  • The attendee will be able to define the following conclusions: Inconclusive, Support for Different Source, and Exclusion.
  • The attendee will be able to list the three possible outcomes that are driven by the quality of the exemplar prints.
  • The attendee will be able to list the issues that should be considered before rendering an exclusion decision.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the cautions that should be taken with impressions from the extreme tips of the fingers.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the cautions that should be taken with impressions from the edges of the fingers.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the cautions that should be taken with impressions from the lower portions of the fingers.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how same source impressions can lead to erroneous exclusions.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify these learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

How to Prepare for a Latent Print Daubert Hearing

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification (can be applied toward testimony training hours).

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Langenburg

Duration: 4 hours

In this course, attendees will learn helpful strategies for preparing for admissibility hearings. We will discuss the difference between Frye and Daubert hearings (or 702 hearings or equivalent). Glenn will demonstrate different strategies for addressing ‘general acceptance’ of fingerprint methodology. We will review various peer-reviewed research papers that demonstrate ‘testing and validation’ of fingerprint methodology. We will review industry standards that are available to the analyst. We will discuss critical error rate studies and we will review a strategy for addressing the known or potential error rate of latent print methodology. Finally, we will examine some limitations of fingerprint methodology which need to be acknowledged.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to define Frye versus Daubert admissibility standards.
  • The attendee will be able to define and apply the term ‘general acceptance’.
  • The attendee will be able to list critical literature to demonstrate testing and validation of ACE-V.
  • The attendee will be able to identify industry standards.
  • The attendee will be able to define and apply the term ‘peer review’.
  • The attendee will be able to identify critical error rate studies.
  • The attendee will be able to provide error rate statistics from peer-reviewed publications.
  • The attendee will be able to answer simple courtroom style questions regarding how the Daubert factors can be applied with respect to fingerprint methodology.
  • The attendee will be able to list limitations of the ACE-V methodology.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link several days before class to download the handouts and supporting literature. The pre-course work may take about an hour to review. If you are unable to download or review the material in time, you may still participate in the webinar.

Course Pre-Requisites: You should have an understanding of how basic latent print testimony is given in criminal and civil matters. There will be a significant number of research papers discussed in this course. Reading in advance can help if you are not familiar with error rates, statistics, and complex research topics.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

For questions regarding the course content, please contact Glenn Langenburg via email at Glenn@EliteForensicServices.com

For questions regarding registration and payment processes, please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Importance of Expertise in Friction Ridge Examinations

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification..

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

What is an expert? Not in the legal sense, but in the cognitive sense. Why was it difficult to look at prints when you first started as a trainee, but now it is easier? Why are some types of distortion issues difficult to decipher, no matter how many years you have been looking at prints? How does your visual system, finely tuned over many years of looking at prints, behave differently than a novice’s? Why do you see and know things about a print that a novice cannot possibly see and know? Ultimately, why does your expertise matter when it comes to examining friction ridge impressions? And why does your expertise sometimes lead you to a different conclusion than your coworker’s expertise?

There are two reasons impressions of the friction ridge skin are a valuable means of identification 1) the features present in the friction ridge skin are highly discriminating and reasonably persistent and 2) trained examiners have expertise that increases their conclusion accuracy well above novices. This webinar addresses the science behind the development and limitations of visual expertise in examiners. Alice will cover basics of vision science and the data that demonstrates the types of visual expertise attained through training and experience. Know the friction ridge skin, but also “know thyself” [Temple of Delphi].

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to list the key processes necessary to develop expertise.
  • The attendee will be able to identify key differences between experts and novices
  • The attendee will be able to describe automaticity and metacognition.
  • The attendee will be able to identify aspects of the visual system that enhance the visual interpretation of friction ridge impressions.
  • The attendee will be able to identify aspects of the visual system that impede the visual interpretation of friction ridge impressions.
  • The attendee will be able to cite research that supports the use of configural processing by experts.
  • The attendee will be able to cite research that supports enhanced comparison strategies by experts.
  • The attendee will be able to cite research that demonstrates experts are more accurate than novices rendering conclusions.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify these learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Managing Cognitive Bias in Friction Ridge Examinations

Approved for three (3) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Dr. Glenn Langenburg

Duration: 3 hours

Now, more than ever, forensic service providers are required to demonstrate their commitment to impartiality (ISO/IEC 17025:2017 4.1). This training addresses this issue by exploring how cognitive bias can influence friction ridge examinations. In this 3-hour course, we will identify potential sources of cognitive bias in friction ridge examinations and examine how it may impact our decision-making. We will review the current literature on this topic and critical findings. To see how bias can impact our casework we will review fingerprint cases (some famous, some not) where bias contributed to the error or the management of the error. Lastly, we will identify specific actions, best practices, and procedures that you can adopt to minimize the impact of potential bias. Attendees of this course will be provided with specific examples of how to conduct blind examinations, case-manager models, and sequential unmasking approaches.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to define sources of cognitive bias.
  • The attendee will be able to identify critical research studies exploring the effects of cognitive bias.
  • The attendee will be able to describe critical elements that led to the error in the Mayfield case.
  • The attendee will be able to identify blind spots in the ACE-V process.
  • The attendee will be able to describe de-biasing techniques that can be deployed before and during casework.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link several days before class to download the handouts and supporting literature. If you are unable to access the link due to agency restrictions, the handouts will be available during the webinar for downloading as well.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify the learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

For questions regarding the course content, please contact Glenn Langenburg via email at Glenn@EliteForensicServices.com

For questions regarding registration and payment processes, please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Error Rates, Human Factors, & Quality Management Systems

Approved for four (4) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 4 hours

This webinar will review selected error rate studies, including PCAST’s use of confidence intervals to estimate the range within which actual error rates could fall for specific studies. Error rates may be meaningful for the courts assessing general reliability of friction ridge examinations, but they are not terribly helpful when assessing errors in casework.

From the discussion on error rates, Alice will walk attendees through the many human factors that can contribute to errors. Once the landscape of pitfalls has been illuminated, Alice will review the checks and balances within a quality management system that enhance analyst performance and reduce error rates even lower.

Ultimately this webinar should prepare attendees for testimony issues related to error rates and prompt agencies to consider a more nuanced human factors approach to dealing with mistakes and errors.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to explain the relationship between the following: population, parameter, sample, and statistic.
  • The attendee will be able to define false positive and false negative in relation to latent print errors.
  • The attendee will be able to describe a false positive error rate and false negative error rate in relation to latent print errors.
  • The attendee will be able to calculate basic error rates.
  • The attendee will be able to explain the function of a confidence interval.
  • The attendee will be able to identify analyst actions that can contribute to an error.
  • The attendee will be able to identify analyst conditions that can contribute to an error.
  • The attendee will be able to identify supervisory issues that can contribute to an error.
  • The attendee will be able to identify organizational issues that can contribute to an error.
  • The attendee will be able to describe basic quality management practices that mitigate errors.

Course Handout: Prior to the webinar (typically 1 – 2 days) you will receive an email link to a file or folder to download the handout and any relevant supplemental information. The main course handout can also be downloaded from the webinar platform at the time of the webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify these learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Establishing and Implementing Latent Print Suitability Criteria (Five Day Series)

Approved for twenty-four (24) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 24 hours over 5 days

The complex variations in the features of the friction ridge skin make impressions of this skin an excellent biometric identifier. This variation, however, creates difficulties describing the requisite features necessary to use impressions of this skin as a biometric identifier. There are three operational “suitability” determinations that most agencies must manage. 1) Which impressions should be selected for recovery through photography or lifting? 2) Which recovered impressions should be selected for comparison? 3) Which comparable impressions should be selected for database search? These questions have different answers depending on roles within an agency, agency processes, and agency technology.

This five-day course (completed in 24 hours over 5 days) will focus on the development and implementation of criteria answering question #2: Which impressions should be compared? The primary goal of this webinar is to assist agencies in the refinement of suitability criteria. Explicit criteria can provide: 1) stability in the suitability decision; 2) reduction of examiner disagreements and a framework to resolve conflict when it arises; 3) clarity for training and competency testing new examiners; 4) method to evaluate ongoing examiner performance and develop proficiency tests; and 5) transparency to the customer and during testimony.

Day 1 will kick-off with two assignments. In the first assignment, examiners will complete a suitability survey explaining their current practices. In the second assignment, attendees will analyze latent prints for “suitability” as they normally would in casework.  On Day 2, the first day of formal lectures, we will review the range of features that may be present in a friction ridge impression and data regarding the performance of examiners when making suitability decisions. We will also review the Comparison and Evaluation stage of ACE-V, with a focus on the need for coherence between suitability criteria and the conclusions examiners are permitted to report.

Day 3 will begin with a review Assignments 1 and 2. This review will lay the foundation for exploring the challenges of developing and implementing suitability criteria. Attendees will be provided a “starter criteria” and will spend Day 4 practicing applying this starter criteria (Assignment #3). As attendees work through their assigned impressions, they will track “goodness of fit” of the criteria by noting any changes to suitability decisions from Assignment #2. Attendees will consider and propose modifications to the criteria.

Results of Assignment #3 will be presented on Day 5. After reviewing the successes and limitations of the suitability criteria, we will wrap up the class focusing on strategies for implementing and maintaining suitability criteria in practice. A final exam will assess the attendee’s achievement of the learning outcomes.

Daily Schedule

Monday (6 hours) – One (1) hour online + five (5) hours independent work due at the end of the day

Tuesday (4 hours) – Four (4) hours online

Wednesday (4 hours) – Four (4) hours online

Thursday (6 hours) – Six (6) hours independent work due at the end of the day

Friday (4 hours) – Four (4) hours online + final quiz due in the afternoon

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to describe the different types of suitability criteria that could exist in an operational setting.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate the usefulness of both macroscopic features and microscopic features during the Analysis phase of ACE-V.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the two stages of the Comparison phase of ACE-V.
  • The attendee will be able to indicate sources of complexity during the comparison of friction ridge impressions.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize the logical connections between suitability criteria applied during the Analysis phase and conclusions permitted during the Evaluation phase of ACE-V.
  • The attendee will be able to identify operational considerations when developing suitability criteria.
  • The attendee will be able to identify scientific considerations when developing suitability criteria.
  • The attendee will be able to apply and critique proposed suitability criteria.
  • The attendee will be able to describe strategies for onboarding a new or revised suitability criteria
  • The attendee will be able to describe strategies for monitoring the application of suitability criteria.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link approximately one week before class to download the lecture handout and assignments. The main lecture handout will also be available during the webinar for download.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify these learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 20 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

Building a Friction Ridge Training Program (Four Day Series)

Approved for sixteen (16) hours toward IAI Latent Print and Tenprint Certification and Recertification.

Instructor: Alice White

Duration: 16 hours over 4 days

Developing a training program for a latent print or tenprint unit is a daunting task. Often the person(s) responsible for developing and implementing a training program are not trained in adult learning. This four-day webinar (16 hours over 4 days) starts bridging this gap. In this webinar will discuss the following: key concepts in learning, methods of achieving long-term knowledge transfer, specific lessons/modules that should be considered for a friction ridge training program, organization of training, lesson plan development, methods of trainee assessment, and validation of a training program. 

During the first day, we will cover methods (based on research in the learning sciences and cognitive psychology) that can be used to facilitate learning. This includes the importance of distributing both block and interleaved training exercises to facilitate long-term retention of concepts and principles (for example, maintaining latent palm orientation skills and retaining error rate research data for testimony). We will discuss the use of practice exercises, review of correct and incorrect worked examples, self-explaining, error correction, and quizzes to hone comparison skills. We will also discuss the use of collaborative learning, self-explaining, and quizzes to promote the retention of academic topics (for example, embryological formation of the friction ridge skin and significance of visual expertise studies).

On the second day, we will discuss the basic types of knowledge trainees must acquire (facts, concepts, processes, procedures, and principles) and the different methods that can be used to instill different types of knowledge. We will then review Bloom’s taxonomy of learning outcomes and discuss how to write learning outcomes at an appropriate and measurable level for a lesson. We will then review the draft ASB draft Standard for Friction Ridge Examination Training Program document and evaluate how the draft standard applies Bloom’s taxonomy of learning outcomes. Finally, we will discuss how learning outcomes are translated into lesson plans.

On the third day, we will discuss the three arenas of knowledge that a trainee must acquire: institutional (how to function in the agency), technical (how to examine friction ridge impressions), and academic (underlying foundational science and testimony skills). We will discuss how to translate the ASB proposed learning outcomes into lessons that promote deep learning and far-transfer of knowledge in all three arenas.

On the last day we will discuss the ordering and synchronizing of the lessons. For instance, which academic knowledge should be taught with which technical skills to build robust mental models for the anatomical source and orientation of friction ridge impressions? We will also introduce methods of testing (particularly criterion reference tests), establishment of performance metrics (based on learning outcomes), and validation of a training program.

Learning Outcomes:

  • The attendee will be able to define critical thinking and mental models.
  • The attendee will be able to differentiate between worked examples and practice exercises.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the benefit of trainees reviewing both correct and incorrect worked examples.
  • The attendee will be able to differentiate between blocked and interleaved practice.
  • The attendee will be able to describe the benefits and limitations of collaborative learning.
  • The attendee will be able to explain the benefits of quizzes and testing during training.
  • The attendee will be able to define the following: facts, concepts, processes, procedures, and principles.
  • The attendee will be able to describe how learning outcomes reflect different levels of Bloom’s taxonomy.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize critical elements of a lesson plan.
  • The attendee will be able to describe criterion reference testing.
  • The attendee will be able to assess coherence between learning outcomes and performance metrics.
  • The attendee will be able to recognize different methods for validating a training program.

Course Handout: You will receive an email link before class (typically 1 – 2 days) to download the lecture handout and any supplemental information. The main lecture handout will also be available during the webinar for download.

Attendance Policy: This webinar may only be attended by the person who is registered for the webinar. Evolve Forensics does not permit broadcasting, watching, listening, or distributing the webinar or any of the webinar handouts to individuals who are not registered for this webinar.

Assessing Learning Outcomes (a.k.a. Quiz): In order to verify these learning outcomes have been achieved, there is a 40 question quiz via SurveyMonkey at the end of each webinar. Attendees must score a minimum of 70% on the quiz in order to receive a training certificate for the webinar. Please note the quizzes are open-book and poll questions are given during the webinar to prepare attendees for the quiz.

Software Requirements: Attendees must be able to access GoToWebinar (webinar platform) and SurveyMonkey (quiz platform) in order to participate.

The following YouTube Video shows how to use GoToWebinar as an attendee: https://youtu.be/IQ3Xwwgbd8Y

Questions?

Please contact Alice White via email at Alice@EvolveForensics.com

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