Development of a Mathematical Formula for the Calculation of Fingerprint Probabilities Based on Individual Characteristics
- 1 December 1977
- journal article
- application
- Published by Taylor & Francis in Journal of the American Statistical Association
- Vol. 72 (360a) , 772-778
- https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1977.10479954
Abstract
A method is developed for assigning a probability to a fingerprint, including a partial print, based on the number of individual (Galton) characteristics present. A multinomial model is used, the categories of which are the individual characteristics and combinations of them. The negative of the logarithm of the probability of any particular configuration is related to the entropy function of information theory. The parameters of the model are estimated from data (fingerprints). Confidence bounds are obtained for the negative log probability of any configuration.Keywords
This publication has 2 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Evaluation of Physical Evidence in Criminalistics: Subjective or Objective Process?The Journal of Criminal Law, Criminology, and Police Science, 1969
- Applications of Probability Theory in CriminalisticsJournal of the American Statistical Association, 1965