Hand Identification - Where Is the Science?

• Published in: Criminal justice (1986) 2019-09, Vol.34 (3), p.66-67
• Main Author: Epstein, Jules
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child pornography; Evaluation; Evidence; Expert evidence; Forensic anthropology; Hand; Hands; Identification (Physical); Identification and classification; Methods; Morphology; Researchers; Testimony
• ISSN: 0887-7785

According to one article describing her work, "Black, an expert in anatomy, knew that handvein patterns are unique from person to person, even in identical twins." The article details the lack of validation of this technique and raises questions about photo imagery comparison testimony from scholars and researchers as diverse as cognitive psychologist Itiel Dror; Karen Kafadar, chair of the statistics department at the University of Virginia; Suzanne Bell, head of the forensic science department at West Virginia University; and Professors David Kaye and Simon Cole. If it is other photo image analysts, the determination of acceptance is a forgone conclusion; but if this discipline is recognized as part of a greater community of forensic discipline practitioners, scholars, statisticians, and researchers, then it is doubtful that general acceptance can be proved. * Related to whether there is general acceptance is the significance of any of the work of the Scientific Working Group on Digital Imagery, which has a "best practices" document.