Abstract: A method of extracting data from a representation of an identifier, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features, such as ridge ends or bifurcations, in the representation of an identifier, considering the positions of those features and generating a reference feature, such a s a centre, from the positions of the plurality of features. The method then links one or more of the features to the reference feature and/or links one or more of the features to one or more of the other features in the plurality of features. From the result, the method extracts data including information on one or more of: one or more of the plurality of features; the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and another feature.

Abstract: A method of comparing a first representation of an identifier with a second representation of an identifier, for instance two fingerprints is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features in the first representation of an identifier, such as minutia, and linking each feature to one or more of the other features. The information on the features, such as is the minutia type, and on the link or links, such as distance, can then be expressed as a vector. By comparing the vector for the first representation with a vector for the second representation information on the possibilities for them having a common source can be obtained.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A method of extracting data from a representation of an identifier, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features, such as ridge ends or bifurcations, in the representation of an identifier, considering the positions of those features and generating a reference feature, such as a centre, from the positions of the plurality of features. The method then links one or more of the features to the reference feature and/or links one or more of the features to one or more of the other features in the plurality of features. From the result, the method extracts data including information on one or more of: one or more of the plurality of features; the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and another feature.

Abstract: In many situations, particularly in forensic science, there is a need to consider one piece of evidence against one or more other pieces of evidence. For instance, it may be desirable to compare a sample collected from a crime scene with a sample collected from a person, with a view to linking the two by comparing the characteristics of their DNA, particularly by expressing the strength or likelihood of the comparison made, a so called likelihood ratio. The method provides a more accurate or robust method for establishing likelihood ratios through the definitions of the likelihood ratios used and the manner in which the probability distribution functions for use in establishing likelihood ratios are obtained The methods provide due consideration of stutter and/or dropout of alleles in DNA analysis, as well as taking into consideration one or more peak imbalance effects, such as degradation, amplification efficiency, sampling effects and the like.

Abstract: The method provides for the fitting of a different distribution to the tail of a distribution of continuous data, than that distribution fitting to the rest of the distribution. By fitting a distribution to this set of occurrences only, better distributions shapes are obtained for that part of a distribution which might otherwise be overly sensitive to individual or small numbers of occurrences. Over sensitivity can make such distributions unreliable in situations where their value is compared with the value of another distribution. A distribution which does not decline quickly to zero is preferred for the tail, for instance a heavy tailed distribution.

Abstract: In many situations, particularly in forensic science, there is a need to consider one piece of evidence against one or more other pieces of evidence. For instance, it may be desirable to compare a sample collected from a crime scene with a sample collected from a person, with a view to linking the two by comparing the characteristics of their DNA, particularly by expressing the strength or likelihood of the comparison made, a so called likelihood ratio. The method provides a more accurate or robust method for establishing likelihood ratios through the definitions of the likelihood ratios used and the manner in which the probability distribution functions for use in establishing likelihood ratios are obtained. The methods provide due consideration of stutter and/or dropout of alleles in DNA analysis, as well as taking into consideration one or more peak imbalance effects, such as degradation, amplification efficiency, sampling effects and the like.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A method of comparing a first representation of an identifier with a second representation of an identifier, for instance two fingerprints is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features in the first representation of an identifier, such as minutia, and linking each feature to one or more of the other features. The information on the features, such as is the minutia type, and on the link or links, such as distance, can then be expressed as a vector. By comparing the vector for the first representation with a vector for the second representation information on the possibilities for them having a common source can be obtained.

Abstract: A computer implemented method of comparing a test sample result set with another sample result set is provided, the method including: providing information for the first result set on the one or more identities detected for a variable characteristic of DNA; providing information for the second result set on the one or more identities detected for a variable characteristic of DNA; and comparing at least a part of the first result set with at least a part of the second result set; and wherein: the comparing includes a likelihood and the likelihood uses a probability density function conditioned on DNA quantity. Further benefits are obtained from the manner in which the probability density function is obtained and/or the use of probability density functions to account for stutter and/or allele dropout.

Abstract: Methods for comparing a first DNA profile with a second DNA profile are provided. The likelihood ratio for one hypothesis relative to another, as to the sources of the DNA, is conditioned on quantity of DNA in the test sample providing the first DNA profile and/or another sample providing the second DNA profile.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A method of extracting data from a representation of an identifier, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features, such as ridge ends or bifurcations, in the representation of an identifier, considering the positions of those features and generating a reference feature, such a s a centre, from the positions of the plurality of features. The method then links one or more of the features to the reference feature and/or links one or more of the features to one or more of the other features in the plurality of features. From the result, the method extracts data including information on one or more of: one or more of the plurality of features; the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and another feature.

Abstract: Methods for comparing a first DNA profile with a second DNA profile are provided. The likelihood ratio for one hypothesis relative to another, as to the sources of the DNA, is conditioned on quantity of DNA in the test sample providing the first DNA profile and/or another sample providing the second DNA profile.

Abstract: The method provides for the fitting of a different distribution to the tail of a distribution of continuous data, than that distribution fitting to the rest of the distribution. By fitting a distribution to this set of occurrences only, better distributions shapes are obtained for that part of a distribution which might otherwise be overly sensitive to individual or small numbers of occurrences. Over sensitivity can make such distributions unreliable in situations where their value is compared with the value of another distribution. A distribution which does not decline quickly to zero is preferred for the tail, for instance a heavy tailed distribution.

Abstract: A method of comparing a first representation of an identifier with a second representation of an identifier is provided. The method includes providing an expression of the first representation, such as a fingerprint, and considering the expression of the first representation against a probability distribution based on the variation in the expression between different example representations of the second representations, to provide a first consideration. The method also provided for considering the expression of the first representations against a probability distribution based on the variation in the expression between different population representations, to provide a second consideration. By using the first consideration and second consideration together it is possible to provide a measure of comparison between the first representation and the second representation.

Abstract: A method of extracting data from a representation of an identifier, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method includes selecting a plurality of features, such as ridge ends or bifurcations, in the representation of an identifier, considering the positions of those features and generating a reference feature, such a s a centre, from the positions of the plurality of features. The method then links one or more of the features to the reference feature and/or links one or more of the features to one or more of the other features in the plurality of features. From the result, the method extracts data including information on one or more of: one or more of the plurality of features; the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and the reference feature; one or more of the links between a feature and another feature.

Abstract: A method of simulating the effect of distortion on a representation of a marker, such as a fingerprint is provided. The method is useful for generating data for use in various processes concerned with fingerprints and particularly avoids the need to manually generate and collect such data. The method includes obtaining a plurality of representations from an individual, the representations being subject to different distortions relative to one another. A function, such as a thin plate spline function, is then used to describe the effects of the different distortions on the plurality of representations obtained. This generic model of the effects of distortion can then be used to generate distortions for a further representation from an individual, preferably another individual. The simulated distorted representations can be used in a variety of ways.

Abstract: A method of processing a representation of an identifier, such as a fingerprint, is provided to improve subsequent processing of the representation. The method includes obtaining a representation of an identifier, the representation including one or more components, such as ridges. A part of the representation of the identifier is then defined as being within a neighborhood by reference to a boundary for that neighborhood, such as a rectangle. Any ends for the components which ends fall within the boundary to the neighborhood are then identified, together with any limits for the components. A limit is an element of a component which coincides with the boundary to the neighborhood and/or being an element of the component which forms the junction with one of more of the components, such as a bifurication. A processed representation of the identifier is generated by healing and/or cleaning the representation based upon the inter-relationship between the ends and/or limits of components.

Abstract: A method of comparing a first representation of an identifier with a second representation of an identifier is provided. The method includes providing an expression of the first representation, such as a fingerprint, and considering the expression of the first representation against a probability distribution based on the variation in the expression between different example representations of the second representations, to provide a first consideration. The method also provided for considering the expression of the first representations against a probability distribution based on the variation in the expression between different population representations, to provide a second consideration. By using the first consideration and second consideration together it is possible to provide a measure of comparison between the first representation and the second representation.