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Pacific Northwest Division IAI

Spring 2012 Newsletter

From the desk of Aaron Koning

2011-2012 PNWD/IAI President

PNWDIAI members, In just a few short weeks, we will be gathering in Boise, ID for the Annual PNWDIAI Educational Conference. We have put together a great line-up of well re-spected and distinguished speakers all at a low cost to members. If you haven’t had a chance to look at the schedule, you can do so at www.pnwdiai.org. In addition, there are six positions on the board up for nomination. The 1st Vice President, 2nd Vice President, Secretary, and three general board member positions will all be up for grabs. The vote will be held during the general business meeting on May 3, 2012. If you know of an individual who is highly organized and driven, please consider nomi-nating them for one of these positions. At our latest board meeting, held in Spokane, WA on March 2, the first draft of the new PNWDIAI member scholarship program was presented to the board. This scholarship will be available to all PNWDIAI members in good standing who desire to attend training in an IAI recognized discipline and have to attend either completely or partially on their own dime. This money, up to $200/person, can be used to help off-set personal expenses of registration, travel, lodging, and meals. Because of the very tight budgets of virtually all law enforcement agencies across our region, we feel that this is another way in which the PNWDIAI can support our members and encourage professional development. We hope to have this scholarship available by May 5 of this year. I look forward to seeing all of you in Boise! Aaron Koning President - PNWDIAI Aaron Koning

Forensic Scientist II

Idaho State Police

700 S. Stratford Drive

Meridian, ID 83642

208-884-7278

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2012 Conference will be held in the

“city of trees”….Boise, Idaho!!!

May 1, 2012 through May 4, 2012

Held at the Grove Hotel 245 S. Capitol Blvd

Boise, Idaho 83702 (208) 333-8000

http://www.grovehotelboise.com/

Request PNWDIAI Hotel rate of $99

per night for reservations

BEFORE MARCH 30th,

2012 Registration Information: 2012 fee schedule: Early registration: (registration on or before April 1) Members: $200 Non-members: $250 Full-Time Students: $100 Standard registration: (registration after April 1) Members: $250 Non-members: $300 Full-Time Students: $150 *Single day registration: $100 full day registration fee OR

Be sure to Check

http://www.pnwdiai.org/

for updates!!!

Feel free to contact us via

the website…

We Look forward to see-

ing all of you In Boise!

Social Event to include a tour of the Historic Old State Penitentiary!

http://history.idaho.gov/old-penitentiary-hours-location

2012 PNWDIAI Conference Agenda

Note: Full registration includes one workshop on Tuesday, one workshop on Wednesday, and the

general assembly on Thursday and Friday.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012 Workshops (provided lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.) 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Advanced Written and Comparison Review for the IAI Tenprint Certification Test—Alan Christensen 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Advanced Comparison of Latent Friction Ridge Impressions – Jon Stimac 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.: Reproducing Bloodstain Patterns – Karen Green 7:00p.m. - 9:00 p.m.: Social Event!...Tour of the Old State Penitentiary

Wednesday, May 2, 1012 Workshops (provided lunch from 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.) 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Intermediate Comparison of Tenprint Friction Ridge Impressions – Jon Stimac 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Orientation and Search Clues – Cynthia Zeller 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Crime Scene Photography – Julie Brownfield 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.: President’s Reception

Thursday, May 3, 2012 8:00 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.: General Assembly Opening Ceremonies 8:30 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.: Visual Perception and Friction Ridge Impressions – Jon Stimac 9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Vendor Break 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.: Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis of Fingerprints: Pattern Characterization, Monte Carlo Probability Estimates and Geometric Morphometric Analysis—Dr. Emma Dutton and Patrick Aldrich 12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.: Provided Lunch 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.: Subpoena Anxiety: A quick primer on courtroom testimony – Lori Bast 3:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.: Vendor Break 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Examples of Methodological and Philosophical Changes in Friction Ridge Examination – Jon Stimac 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: General Business Meeting 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.: PNWD-IAI Banquet (No host bar)

Friday, May 4, 2012 8:00 a.m .– 12:00 p.m. Insights from the Isaac Zamora Shooting Spree Investigation– Don Cunningham and Mary Wilson

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Advanced Written and Comparison Review for the IAI Tenprint Certification Test:

Class Objectives:

-To provide an in-depth learning of written material that would prepare Tenprint Examiners for the Certification Test and

provide learning techniques that would enable Tenprint Examiners to feel confident about their comparison skills

-To provide an increased comprehension of the history of friction ridge science and skin structure while improving com-

parison abilities

-This 8-hour course is designed to assist forensic science professionals who are currently comparing friction ridge impres-

sions and would like to increase their knowledge and understanding through participation in a formalized course.

-Understanding of the Tenprint Certification test information will be enhanced by discussions, lectures, and also practical

applications.

Course Overview: Required Materials:

Review IAI requirements Magnifiers, pointers, pens, pencils, highlighters

Basic/In-Depth look at the skin structure

Fetal Development

History timeline

Summarized list of important chapters

Comparison search clues

Realistic comparison exercises

Study material to help with retention of information

Advanced Comparison of Latent Friction Ridge Impressions: Workshop Objective: To provide an increased understanding of the friction ridge science with emphasis on analyzing, comparing and evaluating latent fingerprints. • This abbreviated 8-hour version (of the regular 32-hour course) is designed to assist forensic science professionals who are presently comparing friction ridge evidence, yet feel they could increase their skills and knowledge through participation in a formalized workshop. • Discussion, lectures and practical exercises are among the techniques used to enhance the student’s understanding of the identification methodology. • Each step of this workshop will enable the student to effectively analyze, compare and evaluate observed friction ridge evidence (fingerprint, palm, phalange, planter & crease association).

Workshop Need: The workshop focuses primarily on the use of several different practical exercises, each de-signed as a step-by-step process to increase the stu-dent’s application of the identification methodology. In turn, this makes for a more efficient and accurate ana-lyst. Additionally, this workshop supplements the Inter-national Association for Identification’s Friction Ridge Skin IdentificationTraining Manual (the goal and ob-jectives of the Supervised Comparison Training, Sec-tions C, D, E & F). * Attendees must bring their own magnifiers.

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Reproducing Bloodstain Patterns: Using past proficiency samples as a starting point, students will examine bloodstain patterns, assess how they thought they were made and attempt to reproduce the patterns in a controlled setting. Students will also make unknowns for their fellow students to evaluate and reproduce. Finally, lecture and group discussion will be de-veloped to discuss the scientific method and validity of BPA in forensic examination and testimony. All crime scene responders or those involved in any level or crime scene reconstruction would benefit from this workshop.

Intermediate Comparison of Tenprint Friction Ridge Impressions:

Workshop Objective: To provide an increased

understanding of the friction ridge science with emphasis on analyzing, comparing and evaluating inked fingerprints. • This abbreviated 8-hour workshop (of the regular 32-hour course) is designed to assist fingerprint professionals who are presently comparing inked friction ridge impressions, yet feel they could increase their skills and knowledge through participation in a formalized workshop. • Discussion, lectures and practical exercises are among the techniques used to enhance the student’s understanding of the identification methodology. • From determining useful focal areas, to the friction ridge characteristics used to individualize (Levels II and III), each step of this workshop will enable the student to effectively analyze, compare and evaluate inked friction ridge impressions.

Orientation and Search Clues: As Latent Print Examiners, it is important that we learn how to search for latents quickly and effectively. This class provides students with numerous clues that are present in latent prints. Knowing where a pattern is most likely to appear on a hand can significantly reduce search time and increase the ability to arrive at a correct con-clusion. Students will learn how to determine if an impression was deposited by a left or right hand, a finger, or a palm, and whether it is most likely located in the thenar, hypothenar or interdigital areas of that palm. Addi-tionally, they will learn clues that will help them correctly orient a latent fingerprint while becoming familiar with common anatomical fingerprint terms. Students will gain knowledge through general lecture and practical application exercises and activities. This material is great for new LPE's, a nice refresher for experienced LPE’s, and beneficial to anyone interested in ever becoming an LPE. It’s also good information for anyone who is simply interested in the subject. Additionally, this class may also be useful for those needing educational credits for certification or recertification.

Workshop Need: This workshop focuses primarily on the

use of several different practical exercises, each designed as a step-by-step process to increase the student’s application of the identification methodology. In turn, this makes for a more efficient and accurate analyst. Additionally, completion of the full-course supplements the International Association for Identification’s Friction Ridge Skin Identification Train-ing Manual (fulfilling the goal and objectives of the Super-vised Comparison Training, Section B (10-Print Compari-sons) and supplementing Sections, C, D, E and F).

* Attendees must bring their own magnifiers.

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Crime Scene Photography Workshop: Course Description: Students will be provided with an understanding of camera adjustments for various lighting conditions, proper exposure and composition, what photos to take and how to improve their skills as crime scene photographers. Classroom lecture will be utilized to provide the student with the knowledge needed to understand how changing camera settings can im-prove their photos followed by hands-on exercises to perfect the techniques. Attendees will be able to take the camera off the automatic settings and improve images needed for investigations and court.

Topics Include:

Digital Documentation Principles Flash & Non-Flash Techniques Forensic Analysis Photography (tire/shoe impressions, bloodstain/spatter, bullet holes, latent impressions, etc.) Low Light/Night Photography Immersion Burn Photography

Target Audience: This hands-on course is designed for crime scene investigators, police officers, evidence technicians and other personnel who have the responsibility to properly document crime scenes and physical evidence through photography. Students must be familiar with the basic use of their camera and the basics of digital photography and will work on improving skills to develop a better understanding of why and how to adjust camera settings.

General Course Information: Students are asked to bring a digital camera (digital SLR preferred), lens, batteries (for camera & flash), digital media, off camera flash (with remote cord, if available), tripod, a flashlight and user manuals for all equipment. These items are not required to attend class but students are strongly encouraged to bring them in order to enhance their learning experi-ence.

Visual Perception and Friction Ridge Impressions: This lecture is a fundamental discussion of our ability to interpret information from the effects of visible light reaching the eye. Using both friction ridge and visual examples, this presentation will discuss how this vital sensory utility col-lects information and how our brain constructs the interpretation: Topics will include:

o Visual Perception Skills (Visual discrimination, Memory, Figure/ground, Visual closure and Form

Consistency)

o Tracking Skills (Central-Peripheral Integration, Saccades, Line Tracking)

o Focusing Skills (Near-Far Focus Shifts)

o Eye Teaming Skills

o Examples/scenarios of friction ridge perception

o Human brain plasticity

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Geographic Information Systems and Spatial Analysis of Fingerprints: Pattern Characteri-

zation, Monte Carlo Probability Estimates and Geometric Morphometric Analysis: Patrick R. Aldrich, M.S.1*, Ryan J. Stanley, B.S.1, Sara C. Hidalgo, B.S.1, Emma K. Dutton, Ph.D.1,2,*, Bryan E. Dutton, Ph.D.1 and Stephen B. Taylor, Ph.D.1 1Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR 2Oregon State Police, Forensic Services Division, Salem, OR

In 2010 we initiated a two year research project (2009-DN-BX-K228) to address criticisms raised in the National Academy of Sci-ences report regarding fingerprint uniqueness and the reliability and accuracy of latent print identifications (National Research Council, 2009). The objectives of the project were to evaluate fingerprint characteristics using spatial statistics to derive probabilis-tic models for predicting fingerprint uniqueness and utilize the derived models to establish certainty levels for latent print identifica-tions. Methods used in the project to evaluate fingerprints include spatial fingerprint pattern characterization, Monte Carlo simula-tions and morphometric analysis. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) was used as a means to unify the various methodologies into a single cohesive framework. A Geographic Information System (GIS) is a collection of hardware and software components that integrate digital map elements with relational database functionality. GIS allows for the placement of spatially rich objects, such as fingerprints, and for the comparison among these objects in a shared spatial environment. GIS data are typically captured in the form of either raster grids (e.g., pixels) or vector features (e.g., points, lines, and polygons) with points in space using x, y and sometimes z coordinate values.

Subpoena Anxiety: During this presentation, we will address some of the court cases that affect witness testimony. We will also look at the NAS and the recommendations that were made. It should generate some thinking. What types of things do you think a jury looks for? We will discuss a study that was conducted and how that may affect how you think about the jury. What type of things you should not overlook? We will look at dress, demeanor and ways that the defense may try to intimidate you.

Examples of Methodological and Philosophical Changes in Friction Ridge

Examination: By providing historical examples and current perspectives, this presentation will discuss how the forensic discipline of friction ridge identification is changing. That’s good, because without change, we’ll remain stagnant:

Examples of past inactivity Legal changes Increased scientific aspects The hiring process Training and Education: Its past, present and future Quality Assurance and Quality Control Ethics in the latent print discipline Comparison philosophy The role of SWGFAST Change since the NAS report

Insights from the Isaac Zamora Shooting Spree Investigation: On September 2, 2008, Isaac Zamora committed a string of murders, assaults, and burglaries in rural Skagit County. Six people were killed, including Skagit County Deputy Sheriff Anne Jackson. A Washington State Patrol Trooper and five others were wounded. Eleven different scenes (residences and vehicles) were searched and processed to reconstruct the chain of events that occurred on that horrific day. This series of three presentations will provide key information should a tragedy of this nature fall elsewhere in the Pacific Northwest. Part I: The Formation and Function of SMART (Snohomish County Multiple-Agency Response Team): Multi-agency Response to Officer Involved Uses of Lethal Force. Part II: Deploying the Crime Scene Response Team – Organizing a Response and Collecting Forensic Evidence in Multiple Related Scenes. Part III: The Reconstruction of Events Surrounding the Tragic deaths of homeowner Ches-ter Rose and Deputy Anne Jackson.

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The PWNDIAI is now accepting nominations for individuals who would like to become a board member. Please submit nominations to any current PNWDIAI board member. There will also be an opportunity to nominate a member during the 2012 conference in May. The members will be able to vote on submitted nominations during the General Business meeting during the conference in Boise on May 3rd.

1st VICE-PRESIDENT: • Act as presiding officer of the Association during the temporary absence or disability of the President. • Automatically succeed to the office of President in the event of death, disability, resignation or removal from office of the President. • Be a voting member of the Board of Directors.

2nd VICE-PRESIDENT: • Act as presiding Officer of the Association during temporary absence or disability of the First Vice-President. • Be a voting member of the Board of Directors. • Move up automatically to First Vice-President.

DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: (3 positions open)

• Select the place and date of the Annual Conference. • Approve the program of activities of the Annual Conference of the Association and have control of the affairs of the Association during its recess. • Have the power to try any Member or Officer of the Association upon any charge affecting his/her honor or conduct unbecoming a Member or an Officer, and, after a hearing upon said charge and providing the accused is found guilty by a majority vote, to expel, suspend, censure, or admonish such member or officer.

SECRETARY: • Keep the records, correspondence and minutes of the Association. • Receive allowances for all necessary expenses incurred for Association business. • Be a member of the Board of Directors and Secretary of said Board of Directors. • Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him/her by the President, the Board of Direc-tors and the Conference. • Apprise the Parent Body of the past years’ As-sociation activities. • Supply to the Secretary of the Parent Body a list of newly elected Officers. • Act as presiding Officer if the President, Vice-President, and Second Vice-President are not available at the Board meetings.

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The White Box Latent Print Examiner Study Requesting participation

Purpose

This study is a follow-on to the Black Box Study* performed two years ago. In Black Box,

we focused on accuracy and reproducibility of examiners’ decisions. In White Box, the fo-

cus is on understanding the basis for these determinations. The purpose is to characterize

what constitutes sufficient quantity and quality of features to support analysis (value) de-

terminations and comparison/evaluation determinations. The study is being conducted by

the FBI Laboratory and Noblis.

Test design summary Participants are asked to make analysis (value) and comparison/evaluation determinations for latent-exemplar fingerprint pairs, and to mark the features (quantity and quality) used in making those determinations. A custom software application presents a series of pairs of images to each examiner for markup and comparison. The software includes tools for markup (features, correspondence of features, and ridge quality) and limited image processing, and records the value determina-tion for each image and the comparison/evaluation determination of each latent-exemplar pair.

Participation Participation in the White box study is open to practicing latent fingerprint examiners.

Extent of support requested The White Box study consists of a series of single finger (1:1) comparisons, with an expected commitment of about 8 hours per participant. Each participant will also complete a short multiple-choice, background survey.

Schedule The White Box software will be mailed to participants in March-April 2012. Results are to be emailed back from the par-ticipants to the study facilitator one month later.

Publication of results Our intent is that the results will be presented at forensic conferences, and will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.

Anonymity Anonymity will be assured through the use of examiner IDs and by controlling the flow of information. The analysis data will be kept separate from personally identifiable information (names and email addresses) so that results cannot be asso-ciated with specific individuals even for the members of the team involved in test administration or analysis. Information associating participants and examiner IDs will be destroyed upon completion of the study. The background survey does not request participants’ names, employer, or any other personally identifying information.

Reporting Results will be aggregated across multiple examiners, based on categories of experience established in the background questionnaire. As noted, results will be anonymous; care will be taken so that the results are not aggregated in a way that compromises anonymity.

For further information If you are interesting in participating in the White Box Study, contact whitebox@noblis.org.

Flyer as presented by the Department of Justice and Noblis, The White Box Latent Print Examiner

Examination of Simultaneous Impressions Class

Ron Smith & Associates/John Black April 17-19, 2012 Spokane, WA 3 Days/24hours/Tuition $400 Fundamentals of Latent Print Examination

Ron Smith & Associates/Debbie Benningfield April 9-13, 2012 Rockford, IL 5 Days/40hours/Tuition $600 Advanced ACE-V Applications for Fingerprint

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Ron Smith & Associates/Glenn Langenburg April 23-27, 2012 Denver, CO 5 Days/40hours/Tuition $600

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Complex Latent Print Examination

Ron Smith & Associates/Debbie Benningfield May 21-25, 2012 Sandy, UT 5 Days/40hours/Tuition $600 Introduction to the Science of Friction Ridge Ex-

amination

Ron Smith & Associates/Mike Campbell August 13-17, 2012 San Luis Obispo, CA 5 Days/40hours/Tuition $600

Upcoming Training Opportunities

Have you ever heard of

Co-Founder, Micah Kimo Johnson has worked in a variety of different sci-ences doing research in applying GelSight technology. Crossing into foren-sics, these images of friction ridge skin can be seen to exceed the detail of

present technology employed.

For more information, videos of how GelSight works, and more photos about

developing technology...check out the GelSight website.

www.GelSight.com

Copyright © 2012. GelSight, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

GelSight, Inc. provides extremely detailed and rapid surface measure-ments through the novel GelSight sensor technology. Our approach to metrology is flexible: the same core technology can be used to measure any rigid material at scales spanning four orders of magnitude. Still in its inception, GelSight, Inc. has already designed and manufactured proto-types for clients in aerospace, ballistics and metrology. As GelSight ex-pands, we also look forward to learning more about your surface meas-

urement needs.

Interesting tid-bit...

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PNWDIAI website

member log-in User name: Member Password: m3mber!

Membership dues can now be paid through paypal via

our website!

STUDYING FOR CERTIFICATION? If you are preparing to take a certification test in your field of specialization, you can arrange to take the test at

the 2012 PNWDIAI Educational Conference in Boise. Certification testing is tentatively scheduled for Friday

May 4th at 7:00 a.m.

Please contact Alan Christensen before March 31, 2012 to arrange for testing, and I will arrange for a room as

well as someone to proctor your test. Be sure to let me know the area you need to be certified in,

Alan Christensen

King County Sheriff’s Office

Phone (206) 205-8461

alan.christensen@kingcounty.gov

The PNWDIAI is accepting donations for the Silent Auction at the upcoming conference in Boise. The board is seeking out items to be auctioned, in which proceeds will support future PNWDIAI conference funding. If you have items or ideas of interest that you would like to submit for the auction, please contact the 1st Vice President, Julie Brownfield. Julie Brownfield, CLPE Forensic Lead Specialist JBrownfield@spokanesheriff.org (509) 477-2334

MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR: As the editor of The Examiner, I am open to any topics, items of interest, latest case-work/case law, or articles members would like to see published in the quarterly news-letter. If you are aware of members who are not receiving the newsletter, please let me know. Also, e-mail systems may not be able to receive large distribution lists so please make arrangements with me if this is the case so that you are not missing the quarterly postings. Please feel free to contact me at any time to share your thoughts for The Examiner! Natalie Hernandez Idaho State Police 700 South Stratford Meridian, ID 83642 (208) 884-7174 Natalie.hernandez@isp.idaho.gov FOR MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT

http://www.pnwdiai.org/membership.php

DISCLAIMER: The views expressed in articles contained in this publication do not necessarily represent the views of the Pacific Northwest Division of the Interna-tional Association for Identification. The Association neither guarantees, warrants, nor endorses these views or techniques but offers these articles as information to the membership. Some articles may contain descriptions of processes utilizing chemicals or combinations of chemicals that may be hazardous to the user's health. It is strongly recommended that proper precautions be taken when using known hazardous chemicals or a combination thereof. The Association assumes no re-sponsibility for the use of chemicals or combinations thereof as set forth in any article.

Recent Donations made….

The PNWDIAI made a $2,000 donation to the Johnson-Whyte Memorial Foundation Fund and a $3,000 donation to become a Sapphire Partner for the IAI Centennial Conference in 2015.

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Pacific Northwest Division

According to the bylaws of our division, MEMBERS [Article II, Sec. 1.]: The annual dues shall be $25.00 payable in advance, on the first day of January of each and every year. [Article II, Sec. 4.] A member who is delinquent as of May 1st in the payment of dues as of the opening of the annual general membership business meeting is not deemed in good standing. NEW APPLICANTS [Article II, Sec. 2.]: Dues paid to the association between January 1 and September 30 shall be ap-plied to the dues for that calendar year only; dues paid between September 30 and December 31 shall apply to the fol-lowing calendar year.

You may pay your 2012 dues now. In order to receive the member registration rate for the annual con-ference, you must pay your dues by May 1st. The majority of our correspondence will be sent via email. Please make sure this information is up to date.

2011 PNWD/IAI DUES……………………………………….. $25.00 NAME: _________________________________________ ADDRESS: _________________________________________

_________________________________________ _________________________________________

E-MAIL: _________________________________________ PHONE: (_____)___________________________________ FAX: (_____)___________________________________ AGENCY: _________________________________________ JOB TITLE: _________________________________________

My address and phone number are correct in the last roster: Yes ________ No _________ (If NO, please highlight changes above)

Mail dues to PNWD/IAI Treasurer:

PNWD-IAI Treasurer c/o Lorene Moore 7505 34th Ave SW Seattle, WA 98126

If you have any questions, contact Lori at: Lorene.Moore@METROKC.GOV

International Association for Identification

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2012 Spring edition of The Exam-

iner brought to you by

SIRCHIE Fingerprint Laboratories, INC.

Air Science Forensic Laboratory Products

AFIXTechnologies Inc.

Future sponsor/advertisement to be published in The Examiner, please contact Natalie Hernandez at Nata-

lie.hernandez@isp.idaho.gov