ENFSI 2022 multidisciplinary collaborative exercise: organisation and outcomes.

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Collaborative Testing
• Laboratory Governance

Background:

• Traditional forensic proficiency tests (PT) are discipline-specific.
• Real-world forensic investigations often involve multiple evidence types.
• International organizations recommend collaborative exercises (CE) for laboratory governance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the planning, execution, and evaluation of the 2022 Multidisciplinary Collaborative Exercise (2022-MdCE).
• To assess the integrated analysis of diverse forensic evidence types (DNA, fingerprints, documents, handwriting).
• To identify challenges and best practices in multidisciplinary forensic casework.

Main Methods:

• A single questioned document (letter) incorporated multiple evidence types: typescript, signature, bloody fingermark, staining, latent fingermark, and indented impression.
• Participants performed analyses across disciplines including DNA, fingerprint, document, and handwriting examination.
• The exercise design and results were evaluated to identify process and sequence issues.

Main Results:

• DNA analysis was prioritized for bloody fingermarks, revealing issues with sampling strategies before fingermark visualization.
• Indented impressions were underestimated by many participants, highlighting a need for greater attention.
• The exercise identified a need for more in-depth studies to produce consistent samples, especially for DNA and fingermarks.

Conclusions:

• Multidisciplinary collaborative exercises are effective for evaluating integrated forensic casework.
• The 2022-MdCE demonstrated the importance of considering all evidence types, including underestimated ones like indented impressions.
• Further research is needed to optimize sample preparation and analysis protocols across disciplines for improved forensic science practice.