ENFSI

is any forensic report containing an evaluative reporting second it provides: * an assessment of the strength to be attached to the findings * in the context of alleged circumstances

• Evaluative • intelligence • investigative • technical

• report only on matters within their area of expertise • give conclusions that require specialist knowledge

• the forensic practitioner has been asked by a mandating authority or party to examine and/or compare material • the forensic practitioner seeks to evaluate findings with respect to particular competing propositions set by the specific case circumstances or as indicated by the mandating authority

• the findings • associated data • expert knowledge • case specific propositions • conditioning information

the strength of support the findings provide to discriminate between propositions of interest

• considering all available, relevant information • where necessary, requesting additional information • agreeing by discussing

• consider potential findings before examination • identify most appropriate examination strategy • specify main potential findings from scientific examinations of the items submitted • assign probabilities for potential findings regarding each proposition

• balance • logic • robustness • transparency

• the findings should be evaluated given at least one pair of propositions • usually one based on one partys account and one on the alternative • if no alternative can be found: the value of the findings cannot be assessed

Evaluative reports should address: 1. the probability of the findings 2. given the propositions 3. and relevant background information

the reporting should be capable of sustaining scrutiny and cross-examinating and based upon: * sound knowledge * experence * use of data

• should be written so that it is suitable for a wide range of readers • may include supplements explaining technical background • report conclusions should be derived from a demonstrable process in both case file and report

• sub source • source • activity level

• pressure applied during contact • number of contacts • how easily the item transfers • form of the evidence • how much of the item is involved in the contact

involves one or more intermediate objects * complicated * potentially misleading * cannot tell the difference between secondary and tertiary (most of the time)

second part of the transfer process * could further transfer * degrade

• what the evidence is • the location of the evidence • the environment around the evidence • time from transfer to collection • activity of or around the evidence location

Suffolk murders 2006 * dna evidence * fibers * hairs * footprint and tire impressions

• adopt alternative propositions that are most likely • explore a range of explanations • state the findings in a technical report, stressing that in the absence of an alternative proposition it is impossible to evaluate the findings

Provide: 1. intelligence report 2. investigative report 3. technical report no evaluative report

• accused of penetrating a woman • convicted by DNA evidence under fingernails • however there were many situations where he could have got her DNA under his fingernails without penetrating her - but the situations that were given would have given low DNA transfer

no appropriate evaluative assessment of the findings can be made

Categorical and evaluative