Summary of forensic Identification methods and characteristics (put on web)

(1) reference database

(2) characteristics measured are discrete

(3) independent verification possible

(4) labs pass proficiency tests

Method	(1)	(2)	(3)	(4)	discredited
DNA	+	+	+	varies	no
bullet lead	?	-	-	-	yes
fingerprints pre-1990	- §	-	-	-	yes
fingerprints post 2000	+	+	+	?	no
hair matching	-	-	-	-	yes
bite marks	-	-	-	-	yes
shoeprint ID	-	-	-	-	yes
dog sniffing	-	-	-	-	yes
eyewitness	-*	-	-	-^1	still used

§ - a database existed but was difficult to screen and could not be used to give a RMP

* a photo catalog can be considered a ref database but is not used properly as one bc/ the witness is only allowed to choose one

¹ – individuals fail proficiency tests, but this is not the same as a lab being subjected to a prof test