Evaluation of the Occurrence and Associative Value of Non-Identifiable Fingermarks on Unfired Ammunition in Handguns for Evidence Supporting Proof of Criminal Possession, Use and Intent, 2022-2024 (ICPSR 39306)

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The overall goal of this project was to answer the question of how often non-identifiable fingermarks occur on naturally loaded handgun ammunition and what range of associative values can be expected. This is a potential new source of evidence, as current forensic science practices set these fingermarks aside, leaving them unexamined. The project was successful, with highly significant findings showing that non-identifiable fingermarks with strong associative value are found frequently on loaded handgun ammunition. Utilization of this new source of evidence will require adjustment of long-standing forensic examination practices and balancing the level of effort required with the utility of the resulting associations. To do this one important follow-on step is replacing the labor-intensive research laboratory methods applied in this project with more efficient technologies available in forensic laboratories.

The project produced datasets that include images of 415 non-identifiable fingermarks in .tif format, and corresponding images with annotation of fingermark minutiae in .jpg format. The accompanying spreadsheets contain summary information for each of 1263 rounds of ammunition (number of identifiable and non-identifiable fingermarks found, the number of annotated minutiae for the marks, the handgun type - semi-automatic vs. revolver - and the caliber class), as well as the results from each of the handguns sampled.

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