Guidelines for the use and statistical analysis of the Home Office fingermark grading scheme for comparing fingermark development techniques. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hockey, Daniel; Dove, Aaron; Kent, Terry
• Is Part Of: Forensic science international. Volume 318(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Statistics -- Fingerprints -- Grading -- Ordinal data -- Home Office fingermark scheme -- CAST scheme; Medical jurisprudence -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Forensic -- Periodicals; Forensic Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine légale -- Périodiques; Chimie légale -- Périodiques; Gerechtelijke geneeskunde; Gerechtelijke chemie; Gerechtelijke psychiatrie; Chemistry, Forensic; Medical jurisprudence; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110604
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0379-0738

Abstract

Highlights: Data generated using the Home Office fingermark grading scheme should not be analysed using averages. The different degrees of fingermark development should be categorised as Class 0 to Class 4 and never numerically 0 to 4. Summing the frequency of fingermarks which score a Class 3 or Class 4 allows for simple analysis and presentation. Statistical tests are not mandatory, so long as researchers do not overstate their conclusions. Abstract: This paper provides guidance on how to properly analyse data generated from the Home Office fingermark grading scheme. The core of the issue is that it creates ordinal data and should therefore not be analysed using averages. To reduce confusion, it is recommended to label the different degrees of fingermark development as classes rather than numerical scores. Appropriate statistical tests are provided to properly analyse Home Office fingermark grading scheme data, however, not using statistical tests is perfectly acceptable so long as conclusions are worded appropriately and do not exaggerate the significance of the findings. Some guidance is provided on estimating sample size and optimal methods for presenting results.