National Academy Report Addresses Weakness in Forensic Testing

Mar 11, 2009 - by Richard Samdperil

In 2009, the National Academy of Sciences issued a report critical of certain forensic testing practices.  The report encourages strengthening oversight of quality control guidelines, greater proficiency testing of labratory analysts, and a need for national accreditation.

State of New Hampshire v. Richard Langill

The Report specifically addresses questions about the reliability, accuracy, and verification of fingerprint examinations, citing State of New Hampshire v. Richard Langill, a case where NH attorney Richard Samdperil challenged the reliability of fingerprint testing at the NH State Forensic Laboratory. 

The Report notes that Langill "highlighted two important issues for the latent print community: documentation and errort rate.  Better documentation is needed of each step in [the process]." 

Results 

As a result of the Langill case, the NH State Forensic Laboratory has changed its practices in fingerprint examination cases, and has since sought to eliminate biased verification procedures from its SOP's. 

The Report examines a wide range of forensic practices, and makes recommendations for improving testing methods, laboratory practices, and raising standards nationally.  For the full report, click here.