THE MISSING LINK

Deborah Leary. Chief Executive of Forensic Pathways, UK
Jenny Thomas

DATA ANALYSIS

Top international businesswoman, Deborah Leary, unveils new technology which is plugging gaps in anti-terror information by finding a needle in a thousand haystacks (additional reporting by Jenny Thomas)

If we were to ask a random sample of business owners the motivating factor as to why they went into business, there would be a wide variety
of answers, including the drive to make money. However, I believe one of the prime motivators is that of legacy.  We all like to think that
whether it’s in business or within our own families we are making a positive impact and are creating environments in which we can be proud.

Deborah Leary. Chief Executive of Forensic Pathways, UK.

CONFIRMATION BIAS, ETHICS AND MISTAKES IN FORENSICS

Confirmation bias is when people observe more, give extra emphasis to, or intentionally look for evidence that would validate their existing
beliefs and expectations and are likely to excuse or completely ignore evidence which could reject their beliefs.  As such, it can be seen as a
type of bias in gathering and analyzing evidence. Although some might disagree, this type of bias does not exclude scientists who pride
themselves on their objectivity.

Jon S. Byrd, CLPE, Criminalist II / Latent Print Examiner, Colorado Bureau of Investigation.

FORENSICS IN A GLOBAL COMMUNITY

Cross-border collaboration and a multi-disdplinary approach are essential in order to address 21st Century issues...

Deborah Leary. Chief Executive of Forensic Pathways, UK.

FORENSICS,TERRORISM, INTELLIGENCE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

Innovation and collaboration are vital to preventing acts of terrorism…

Deborah Leary. Chief Executive of Forensic Pathways, UK.

DISCUSSION ON BALLISTICS

Crime Solving Benefits Can Be Obtained From Certain Ballistics Evidence Once Overlooked As Most Likely To Produce The Highest Probable Value.

Pete Gagliardi, FTI and Richard Leary Managing Director of Forensic Pathways, UK.

Abstract

Police operate under the assumption that there is no perfect crime, that every “contact leaves a trace”(1) therefore, every crime can in theory be solved. However, effective police work requires a continual balance of the amount of time, effort, and resources that can be applied to the investigation of a particular crime simply because resources are limited. This comes as no surprise, because as we move through our own personal lives we continually evaluate our options and make choices that are most likely to provide us with the most value...

FOUR HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE

Four heads are better than one: combining face composites yields improvements in face likeness
Vicki Bruce, Hayley Ness, Peter J.B. Hancock, Craig Newman, Jenny Rarity. University of Stirling,

Abstract

Four different participants constructed face composites, using “PRO-Fit”, of familiar and unfamiliar targets, with reference images present or from memory. The "mean" of all four composites, created by morphing (4-Morph) was rated as a better likeness than individual composites on average, and was as good as the best individual likeness. When participants attempted to identify targets from line-ups, 4-Morphs again performed as well as the best individual composite. In a second experiment participants familiar with target women attempted to identify composites, and the trend showed better recognition from multiple composites, whether combined or shown together. In a line-up task with unfamiliar participants, 4-Morphs produced most correct choices, and fewest false positives from target absent or target present arrays. These results have practical implications for the way evidence from different witnesses is used in police investigations.

DNA AND THE ACTIVE CRIMINAL POPULATION

Richard Leary, Managing Director of Forensic Pathways, UK, MBE
Ken Pease
Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, University College London,  Feb 2002

Abstract

Analysis of rates of submission of crime scene samples from one police force areas and of matches with offender DNA samples already on the national database demonstrates 1) an increasing rate of submission 2) a steady state of matching at 74% and 3) a reasonable linear fit between number of samples and number of matches, suggesting no diminution in return as the number of submitted samples increased. The results are discussed in terms of the distribution of length of criminal careers, and the implications for practice especially the importance of taking criminal justice samples at the first presenting opportunity.