Show Notes
Eric and Glenn interview returning guest, and newly minted PhD, Dr. Henry Swofford on his recent paper, with co-author Prof. Christophe Champod: “Probabilistic reporting and algorithms in forensic science: Stakeholder perspectives within the American criminal justice system” (For Sci Intl Synergy 2020; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2022.100220). The new article discusses interview responses from judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, scholars, and forensic laboratory managers regarding their perspective on how to validate, implement, litigate, and communicate probabilistic tools and algorithms in American courts. They discuss different quotes and perspectives from the paper and relate that to their own experiences and observations. Henry also makes an important reference to a companion paper, that provides concrete recommendations and a strategy towards implementation by practitioners: “Implementation of algorithms in pattern and impression evidence: A responsible and practical roadmap” (FSI Synergy 2021; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fsisyn.2021.100142).
More from Double Loop Podcast
Recently, a YouTube science channel discussed five different forensic disciplines and explored potential issues with each. Eric Ray and Glenn Langenburg react to the video and share their perspectives as forensic scientists from valid criticisms to misunderstandings. Have we really been "Using The Wrong Science In Court For 50 years"? Watch the full original video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mvcesPWvUIc
In this episode, the guys start off with Regional Quirkisms from the Land Down Undah. They then interview Cindy Cale, DNA expert from DNA Mavens, a consulting and training company in Houston, TX. Cindy will discuss 3 topics, all related to testimony of the activity level, with respect to DNA, as well as discuss validation issues in DNA. They first discuss a recent DNA testimony case report titled "DNA analyst's refusal to answer an activity level question did not violate the defendant's right to confrontation" from the Journal of Forensic Sciences (2026; 71:1063-1069) by Ted Hunt. The paper reviews a U.S. Court's reaction to a DNA Analyst who refused to offer any testimony regarding activity level and DNA. Then they discuss a Minnesota case in which Cindy testified for the defense, where the State lab was attempting to introduce a complex 5+ person mixture of DNA from firearms [MN v. Exavier Porter; 55-CR-22-7394]. Defense was ultimately successful in excluding the evidence from trial. Finally, they discuss a second Minnesota case, in which Cindy testified, where the State was attempting to introduce another complicated mixture from a firearm, and make inferences about activity level [MN v. Garry Bell; 62-CR-24-1146]. The evidence was suppressed in this case as well. The guys make parallels to the fingerprint community and why it's important that fingerprint experts pay attention to these issues popping up in DNA.
Eric and Glenn finish this two-parter episode about ASB Standards and Best Practice Recommendations. Specifically, in Part 2, they cover ASB Standard 015 "Standard for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions" (2024) and ASB Best Practice Recommendation 166 "Best Practice Recommendation for Comparison and Evaluation of Friction Ridge Impressions" (2024). The guys discuss how to use the standards, their own experiences, some of the critical requirements and recommendations, etc.
Eric and Glenn start off this supersized two-parter topic with a Regional Quirkisms game of Canadian-isms. Then they move past the Great White North and talk about ASB Standards and Best Practice Recommendations. Specifically, they cover ASB Standard 015 "Standard for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions" (2024) and in Part 1, cover ASB Best Practice Recommendation 165 "Best Practice Recommendation for Analysis of Friction Ridge Impressions" (2024). The guys discuss how to use the standards, their own experiences, some of the critical requirements and recommendations, etc.
Eric and Glenn start the episode with a listener email and then play a numbers themed game of Regional Quirkisms. For the topic of this episode, the guys discuss a 2025 paper from Simon Cole and Justin Sola titled "First impressions matter: Mundane obstacles to a forensic device for probabilistic reporting in fingerprint analysis". The article discusses practical and realistic obstacles and hurdles to developing a validated, accepted, and commercially-available statistical model for fingerprint evidence. The article takes the novel view that most sources cite either "practitioner disinterest" (or worse: practitioner rejection) or lack of push and influence from the Courts, Daubert challenges, or Authoritative bodies. However, once you remove those two obstacles and assume examiner 'buy-in' and Courts pushing for empirical data over subjective examiner expertise, what 'mundane' obstacles exist that most people don't realize or think about? The article discusses a number of surprising, non-trivial obstacles that have a huge influence on the state of statistical model development in the field today.