Course Description
This 32-hour intermediate/advanced level course explores in depth and breadth the two concepts of “sufficiency” and “exclusion”. Examiners routinely struggle with these concepts, and this course offers both theoretical and practical tools to better understand them. The course will explore sufficiency for “value” determinations and for “sufficiency for conclusions”. The instructors will utilize current SWGFAST standards and ISO requirements when providing guidance on these topics. Students will explore several approaches to reducing erroneous exclusion rates, and the course provides guidance on best practices based on current research and literature.
Target Audience
This course, the first of its kind in the friction ridge community, deals with the critical concepts of exclusion and sufficiency and will benefit examiners at all levels of experience and skill. However, to fully appreciate and grasp the complexity of the issues surrounding these difficult decisions – made by examiners every day – comparison experience is not only preferred but strongly recommended. Unit supervisors and quality managers are also encouraged to attend this course to gain a better understanding of the complexity of the current state of friction ridge examination.
Course Logistics
April 27, 2026 - April 30, 2026
Florida Department of Law Enforcement - Orlando
500 West Robinson Street
Orlando, FL 32801-1771
40
$650.00
Local Contact
Florida Department of Law Enforcement
Ron Mueller, Crime Laboratory Analyst Supervisor
239-335-7527
ronmueller@fdle.state.fl.us
Course Schedule
| Duration | Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Hour | Introductions / Pre-Course Survey | Accessing Quality, L3D, and Other Features | Understanding Exclusion Decisions | Exercise 6 Coupled with Error Rates |
| 1 Hour | Threshold vs. Strategy | Exercise 3: Using all level s, creases, etc. | Strategies for Exclusion Decisions | |
| 1 Hour | Exercise 1: Timed Comparisons | Exercise 5: Exclusions and Tolerance | ||
| 1 Hour | SWGFAST Standards | Exercise 7: Strategi es | ||
| 1 Hour | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch |
| 1 Hour | Different Approaches to Sufficiency (Exercise 2A) | Exercise 4: Sufficiency Graph Placement | Exercise 6: Searching to Exclude | Research: Using AFIS as a tool to reduce erroneous exclusions |
| 1 Hour | Exercise 2B: Reassessment of Value | Policy Decisions, Science, and Other Domains | Case Examples: Erroneous Exclusions | |
| 1 Hour | Exercise 2C: Approaches 1 and 2 | Bayesian Approach to Sufficiency | Computing Error Rates | Applying What You Have Learned to Practical Examples / Closing Remarks |
| 1 Hour |
Must Bring to Class
- Fingerprint magnifiers and ridge counters.
- Calculator (smartphone or tablet calculator will be sufficient).
- Dress is business casual as the course will be conducted in a professional environment and facility.
Recommended Reading
- Black J. Is There a Need for 100% Verification (Review) of Latent Print Examination Conclusions? Journal of Forensic Identification (2012), 62 (1), 80 – 100.
- Neumann, C., Champod, C., Yoo, M., Genessay, T., and Langenburg, G. Improving the Understanding and the Reliability of the Concept of "Sufficiency" in Friction Ridge Examination. U.S. Department of Justice, Washington, D.C. July 2013 (2013).
- Ray, E. and Dechant, P.J. Sufficiency and Standards for Exclusion Decisions. Journal of Forensic Identification (2013), 63 (6), 675-697.
- Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis Study and Technology (SWGFAST). Document #8 Standard for the Documentation of Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification (ACE-V) (Latent). 09/11/12, ver 2.0 http://www.swgfast.org/Documents.html, [last accessed: July 30, 2013].
- Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis Study and Technology (SWGFAST). Document #10 Standards for Examining Friction Ridge Impressions and Resulting Conclusions. 04/27/13 ver. 2.0 http://www.swgfast.org/Documents.html, [last accessed: June 10, 2013].
- Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis Study and Technology (SWGFAST). Document #15 Standard for the Definition and Measurement of Rates of Errors and Non-Consensus Decisions in Friction Ridge Examination. ver 2.0 [last accessed: last accessed 10/09/2013].
- Ulery, B.T., Hicklin, R.A., Buscaglia, J., and Roberts, M.A. Accuracy and reliability of forensic latent fingerprint decisions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2011), 108 (19), 7733-7738.
- Ulery, B.T., Hicklin, R.A., Buscaglia, J., and Roberts, M.A. Repeatability and reproducibility of decisions by latent fingerprint examiners. PLoS One (2012), 7 (3), e32800.
- Ulery, B.T., Hicklin, R.A., Kiebuzinski, G.I., Roberts, M.A., and Buscaglia, J. Understanding the sufficiency of information for latent fingerprint value determinations. Forensic Sci Int (2013), 230 (1-3), 99-106.
Course Objectives
- Understand how thresholds and strategies affect decision-making.
- Understand how the utility function plays a role in decision-making.
- Understand the different approaches to the determination of “value”.
- Understand how agency policy will shape examiners’ approaches to sufficiency.
- Understand how knowledge, ability, and experience can impact sufficiency decisions.
- Understand how Bayes' theory and utility function impact sufficiency decisions.
- Understand how sufficiency is expressed in other (non-forensic) domains.
- Understand what the “One Discrepancy Rule” is and its role (if any) in exclusion decisions.
- Understand the different ways in which an “exclusion” decision can be expressed.
- Understand how error rates apply to conclusions.
- Recognize the different ways that exclusions are conducted.
- Understand methods and approaches to reduce erroneous exclusions.
Training Certification and Recertification Credits
Understanding Exclusion and Sufficiency Decisions may qualify for specific continuing education training credits. Use's summary below as a quick reference for organization and discipline specific applicability. The approving organization has final authority and their website should be referenced before submitting any request for training credits.
International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Latent Print Certification Board Approved for 36 Certification Credits
International Association for Identification (I.A.I.) Latent Print Certification Board Approved for 36 Re-Certification Credits
Helpful Lodging Information
Although we cannot endorse any particular hotel property, we have confirmed that the following lodging options are within a reasonable commuting distance to the training site.
Marriott Courtyard Downtown Orlando
730 N Magnolia Ave.
Orlando FL 32803
Residence Inn Orlando Downtown
680 N Orange Ave.
Orlando FL 32801