The new T-Model Fingerprint Calculator v. 9.9 is the only calculator in the world that estimates the discriminating value (rarity or specificity) for individual and clusters of fingerprint ridge features present in two fingerprint impressions that:
- Provides 24/7 online access, and
- Takes clarity and fingerprint population groups into account, and
- Defines values for fingerprint ridge feature shapes and positions, and
- Infers a fingerprint match when specific criteria are met, and
- Makes formulae and values transparent for testing and critical review.
Features:
Features
- 20 open fields for latent and exemplar fingerprint ridge features
- Lists values for 15 most common ridge feature shapes
- Lists values for 11 most common ridge feature positions
- Lists values for 5 levels of clarity
- Lists values for 3 levels of quality of agreement
- Open text fields for written report
- Open signature field for written report
- Easy to read guidelines and printable report form
- Convenient drop down menus for values and quality assessments
- Real time updated calculations as new values are entered
- Open field for relevant population specific to case at hand
- 10 additional fixed fingerprint population groups from 100 to 1 trillion
- Results expressed in terms easily understood by jurors
- Results are fast, objective and transparent.
- Values and results are conservative (i.e. designed for criminal casework)
- Reliable online access 24/7
- Compatible with Windows, Mac and iPad
- Licensed and powered by Spreadsheet Converter
Get Started
Click the below Calculator link to access the calculator via Dropbox and the interactive calculator should appear on screen. Next click the below Legend and Procedure links, open a window for each of these (or print each out) and use them as guides for how to operate the calculator. To print out a copy of the Fingerprint Calculator Report for each case, use landscape format.
Background
The T-Model Fingerprint Calculator was designed by retired San Jose Police Department Senior Latent Print Examiner Henry Templeman (see below) (CLPE). The calculator was first published online in 2008 and the latest interactive version of the calculator (v.9.9) was published online August 2013. The primary function of the calculator is to calculate the rarity of individual and clusters of fingerprint ridge features, and based on the relevant population for the case at hand, including a range of fingerprint population groups ranging from 100 to 1 trillion, estimate the conservative (upper bound) number of fingerprint close matches or "look-alikes" likely to exist. When the calculator estimates the number of fingerprint look-alikes is less than 1, then it infers a "match".
The T-Model Fingerprint Calculator is readily testable for purposes of critical scrutiny, corroboration or refutation. It has been submitted to members of the International Association for Identification (IAI), the Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation Latent Print Unit (FBI). So far, it has not been refuted, falsified, shown to be inferior to any other mathematical fingerprint model or shown to be inferior to human decision-making with regards to making correct decisions, especially when pitted against the largest and best fingerprint look-alikes ever recorded or when predicting numbers of look-alike fingerprints likely to be present in a given population group.
Based on data gathered as a result of 47 fingerprint look-alike experiments, the calculator has shown to make more accurate decisions than latent print examiners which makes it extremely appealing for use in criminal casework (i.e. see Validation Study for 38 experiments under snapshot version 9.2 published by the Internet Archive Wayback Machine on August 18, 2012 here; see data from 9 additional experiments here. NEW) Data from experiments is the empirical content that gives the T-Model predictive power which has shown to be more accurate that conventional human decision-making by latent print examiners.
"For Karl Popper any theory X is better than a "rival" theory Y if X has greater empirical content, and hence greater predictive power, than Y"
Apply To Criminal Casework
The T-Model Fingerprint Calculator can be used to:
- Support latent print examiner findings.
- Challenge latent print examiner findings.
- Replace the latent fingerprint examiner to evaluate the suitability of latent fingerprints for comparison.
- Replace the latent print examiner to evaluate sufficiency (or insufficiency) of matching ridge features in two fingerprints to infer identification.
Latent print examiners interested to apply the T-Model Fingerprint Calculator to criminal casework should first test it to find out if it does what it claims it can do. The data from the above 47 experiments should be carefully reviewed to see how testing should be performed. If test results show that the calculator does what it claims it can do, then you have foundation to use it in casework. It is important that test results are carefully documented for purposes of court testimony, if needed.
Click the below PDF files for additional information and sample case.
