How Minutiae Frequency is Perceived and Used by Fingerprint Analysts in the Evaluation of Fingerprint Evidence

Abstract

Analysts consider the appearance, placement, and number of features within a fingerprint pattern (called minutiae) that correspond when deciding whether two fingerprints originated from the same person. Little is known about the actual base rates for different minutiae. That said, analysts perceive variation in minutiae base rates as they complete their work, and it is well-established that expectations and beliefs associated with base rates affect decision-making. In two studies, we examine expert fingerprint analysts’ subjective estimates of fingerprint minutiae base rates, including between and within analyst consistency and reports of how they use this information in fingerprint analyses.