Development of a mobile, automated tool mark characterization/comparison system : IAA-2011-DN-R-0230 MOD 2
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- The purpose of this research was to develop a portable prototype instrument designed to provide forensic examiners with the ability to characterize a tool marked surface, compare the data from that surface to data files obtained from any other surface, and evaluate the likelihood that the two surfaces were made by using the same tool. While the areas selected for characterization are at the discretion of the examiner, acquisition of the data is carried out using a system based on a portable 3-D optical profilometer manufactured by Alicona, GmbH. Comparison of resulting data files is done in an objective manner using software algorithms developed and tested by researchers at Ames Laboratory / Iowa State University (AL/ISU). Due to the relatively small size of the instrument the actual device is portable; all the microscopic components can be packed into a hard-shell suitcase allowing it to be taken directly to crime scenes if need be. The software package used for analysis, called "Mantis," standing for Mark and Tool Inspection Suite, is resident on a laptop computer. Mantis is designed to be user friendly and easy to operate and employs open source software code to allow for continued research and expansion. Currently, using the system an examiner can 1) compare types of tool marked surfaces in a manner similar to a comparison microscope; 2) obtain objective statistical evaluation of data files; 3) elucidate factors that existed when certain types of took marks were made, e.g., angle of the tool. The design of the system is such that it provides an open source platform that other researchers can write algorithms for and test, while offering data-files that can be used by any system or researcher. Finally, all these benefits are resident in a portable system available at a greatly reduced hardware cost as compared to current systems in use. All this time the system has been tested on data sets consisting of i) fully striated marks created from 50 sequentially manufactured screwdrivers, ii) quasi striated markings produced by 50 sequentially manufactured shear-cut pliers, and iii) impression marks produced by 50 sequentially manufacturerd cold chisels. In all cases the system was able to analyze the markings and separate true matches from nonmatches to a high level of success. Explanatory studies on rifling marks left on fired bullets and cut marks produced by knives presented a greater challenge, due to both the size of the files and their instrinsic nature. These initial results suggest that further development of statistical algorithms to address more complex markings is required.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource |
| Extent | 1 online resource (46 pages ) : color illustrations |
| Place | Iowa |
| Place | [Ames, Iowa?] |
| Place | [Rockville, MD] |
| Publisher | [Iowa State University?], National Criminal Justice Reference Service |
| Publication date | 2017; [2017?] |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Chumbley, L. S. | |
|---|---|---|
| Author | Zhang, S. | |
| Author | Morris, M. |
Subjects
| Subject | Tools > Identification |
|---|---|
| Subject | Criminal investigation > Technological innovations |
| Genre | Bibliography |
| Genre | Text-txt |
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | L.S. Chumbley, S. Zhang, M. Morris. |
|---|---|
| Note | "Document Number: 250569" -- Grant transmittal document. |
| Note | "Date Received: February 2017" -- Grant transmittal document. |
| Note | "Award Nymber: IAA-2011-DN-R-0230 MOD 2" -- Grant transmittal document. |
| Bibliography | Includes bibliographical references (pages 43-45). |
| Location |
|
| OCLC | 979554880 |
| Location | electronic resource |
| Location | electronic resource |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Use and reproduction
- User agrees that, where applicable, content will not be used to identify or to otherwise infringe the privacy or confidentiality rights of individuals. Content distributed via the Stanford Digital Repository may be subject to additional license and use restrictions applied by the depositor.
Collection
Government Information United States Federal Collection
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