Preliminary analysis of the nature and processing of palm marks by a U.K. fingerprint bureau

The nature of crime scene palmar images (CSPI) or factors affecting search parameters using a palm-enabled AFIS system have not been investigated. A questionnaire-based survey, undertaken by U.K. fingerprint experts utilizing the U.K.'s IDENT-1 system during the period January to July 2010, of CSPI marks has been conducted to provide descriptive statistical data on the nature of CSPI and some aspects of the ACE-V process. 45 scene-recovered marks were analyzed for part of the CSPI recovered, friction ridge detail, and process times. U.K. population handedness was different from recovered CSPI. Most and least frequently recovered regions were hypothenar pad B and the central pad, respectively. There was a nonsignificant association between palm region and number of palm regions recovered, as well as identification rate and analysis times and characteristics. The number of CSPI regions was significantly related to time for analysis, identification, and comparison.