Eric and Glenn are back after a brief summer hiatus and are gearing up for the 2024 IAI Conference in Reno. In this episode, they wrap up their popular “Where in the Whorld?” game before diving into a recent publication by Swofford et al. (2024) titled “Inconclusive Decisions and Error Rates in Forensic Science,” published in Forensic Science International: Synergy (vol 8; 100472). The paper, authored by several NIST members, introduces a new approach for calculating and reporting error rates in cases where examiners make “inconclusive” decisions. It also clarifies the distinction between “method performance” and “method conformance,” which could have significant implications for fingerprint examiners and forensic agencies. Tune in as Eric and Glenn share their insights on the study’s methodology and its potential impact on the field.

Article Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589871X24000196?via%3Dihub