Latent Print Examination

A collection of published studies and research co-authored by Noblis experts and others on the topic of latent fingerprint examination and comparison for forensic experts.

Hicklin RA, Richetelli N, Taylor A, Buscaglia J. “Accuracy and reproducibility of latent print decisions on comparisons from searches of an automated fingerprint identification system.” Forensic Science International, 370 (2025) 112457. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2025.112457 (open access)
Busey TA, Heise N, Hicklin RA, Ulery BT, Buscaglia J. “Characterizing missed identifications and errors in latent fingerprint comparisons using eye-tracking data.” PLOS ONE 16(5): e0251674, 2021.  https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0251674 (open access)

Hicklin RA, Ulery BT, Ausdemore M, Buscaglia J. “Why do latent fingerprint examiners differ in their conclusions?” Forensic Science International 320, Nov 2020.  https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2020.110542 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

Hicklin RA, Ulery BT, Busey TA, Roberts MA, Buscaglia J. “Gaze behavior and cognitive states during fingerprint target group localization.” Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, 2019 4:12. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41235-019-0160-9  (open access)

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Roberts MA, Buscaglia J. “Factors associated with latent fingerprint exclusion determinations.” Forensic Science International, 275:65-75, June 2017.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2017.02.011 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Roberts MA, Buscaglia J. “Data on the interexaminer variation of minutia markup on latent fingerprints.” Data in Brief, 8: 158–190, September 2016.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2016.04.068 (open access)

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Roberts MA, Buscaglia J. “Interexaminer variation of minutia markup on latent fingerprints.” Forensic Science International, 264:89-99, July 2016.   http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2016.03.014 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Roberts MA, Buscaglia J. “Changes in latent fingerprint examiners’ markup between Analysis and Comparison.” Forensic Science International 247(2014):54-61; Feb 2015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.11.021 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Roberts MA, Buscaglia J. “Measuring what latent fingerprint examiners consider sufficient information for individualization determinations.” PLoS ONE 9(11): e110179, Nov 2014. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0110179 (open access)

Hicklin RA, Ulery BT, Buscaglia J, Roberts MA. (2014). “In response to Haber and Haber, ‘Experimental results of fingerprint comparison validity and reliability: A review and critical analysis.’” Science & Justice, 54(5), 390–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2014.06.007 (accepted manuscript)

Hicklin RA, Ulery BT, Buscaglia J, Roberts MA. (2014). “Annex to R.A. Hicklin, et al., In response to Haber and Haber, ‘Experimental results of fingerprint comparison validity and reliability: A review and critical analysis’ — Detailed list of errors.” Science & Justice. https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/sj-letter-to-editor-supplement.pdf

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Kiebuzinski GI, Buscaglia J, Roberts MA. “Understanding the sufficiency of information for latent fingerprint value determinations”; Forensic Science International 230(1-3):99-106; July 2013. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2013.01.012 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

“Black Box Latent Print Examiner Repeatability and Reproducibility” (Public dataset). OSF. https://osf.io/xvft3/?view_only=ccaeedbfabf54230a5f593b8cd10be5e

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Buscaglia J, Roberts MA. “Repeatability and Reproducibility of Decisions by Latent Fingerprint Examiners”; PLoS ONE 7(3), March 2012. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0032800 (open access)

“Black Box Latent Print Examiner” (Public dataset). OSF. https://osf.io/e6nuj/?view_only=3fa5d6678b5441eea3377e4fdadaf960

Ulery BT, Hicklin RA, Buscaglia J, Roberts MA. “Accuracy and Reliability of Forensic Latent Fingerprint Decisions”; Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 108(19), April 2011.   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1018707108

Kalka ND, Beachler M, Hicklin RA. “LQMetric: A Latent Fingerprint Quality Metric for Predicting AFIS Performance and Assessing the Value of Latent Fingerprints.” Journal of Forensic Identification 70(4) 443-463, Oct 2020. (local download)

Kalka ND, Hicklin RA. “On relative distortion in fingerprint comparison.” Forensic Science International 244(2014), 78-84, Nov 2014. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2014.08.007 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

Hicklin RA, Buscaglia J, Roberts MA. “Assessing the Clarity of Friction Ridge Impressions”; Forensic Science International 226(1-3):106-17; March 2013.   https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2012.12.015 (paid access; accepted manuscript)

Hicklin RA, et al; “Latent Fingerprint Quality: A Survey of Examiners”; Journal of Forensic Identification 61(4), July 2011. (local download)

Kiebuzinski GI, Hicklin RA, Taylor M. “Making a Case for Effective Latent Print Casework Metrics.” IDentification News, 47(2):12-13, Spring 2017. (local download)

Chapman WJ, Hicklin RA, Kiebuzinski GI, Komarinski PD, Mayer-Splain J, Taylor M, Wallner R. “Latent Interoperability Transmission Specification”; NIST Special Publication 1152, January 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1152 (open access)

Chapman WJ, Hicklin RA, Kiebuzinski GI, Komarinski PD, Mayer-Splain J, Taylor M, Wallner R. “Markup Instructions for Extended Friction Ridge Features”; NIST Special Publication 1151, January 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1151 (open access)

Chapman WJ, Hicklin RA, Kiebuzinski GI, Komarinski PD, Mayer-Splain J, Taylor M, Wallner R. “Extended Feature Set Profile Specification”; NIST Special Publication 1134, January 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.6028/NIST.SP.1134 (open access)

Indovina M, Dvornychenko V, Hicklin RA, Kiebuzinski GI. “ELFT‐EFS Evaluation of Latent Fingerprint Technologies: Extended Feature Sets, Evaluation #2.” NIST Interagency Report 7859, May 2012. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7859 (open access)

Indovina M, Hicklin RA, Kiebuzinski GI; “ELFT‐EFS Evaluation of Latent Fingerprint Technologies: Extended Feature Sets, Evaluation #1”; NIST Interagency Report 7775, March 2011. https://doi.org/10.6028/NIST.IR.7775 (open access)