What’s in a Name? Consistency in Latent Print Examiners’ Naming Conventions and Perceptions of Minutiae Frequency

Abstract

Fingerprint minutia types influence LPEs’ decision-making processes during analysis and evaluation, with features perceived to be rarer generally given more weight. However, no large-scale studies comparing examiner perceptions of minutiae frequency to empirical counts exist. Additionally, examiner naming conventions for minutiae vary, increasing confusion over minutia types. We report Phase I of ongoing research – a survey of LPEs that measured consensus in minutiae naming, perceived minutia type frequency, and casework use of frequency information.