25-10-2012, 05:07 PM
Statistical Tools for Forensic Analysis of Toolmarks
ABSTRACT
Recovery and comparison of toolmarks, footprint impressions, and fractured surfaces connected to a crime scene are of
great importance in forensic science. The purpose of this project is to provide statistical tools for the validation of the
proposition that particular manufacturing processes produce marks on the work-product (or tool) that are substantially different
from tool to tool. The approach to validation involves the collection of digital images of toolmarks produced by various tool
manufacturing methods on produced work-products and the development of statistical methods for data reduction and analysis
of the images. The developed statistical methods provide a means to objectively calculate a degree of association between
matches of similarly produced toolmarks. The basis for statistical method development relies on discriminating criteria that
examiners use to identify features and spatial relationships in their analysis of forensic samples. The developed data reduction
algorithms utilize the same rules used by examiners for classification and association of toolmarks.