The mission of the Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) is to establish consensus guidelines and standards for the forensic examination of fingerprints, palm prints and foot prints.

SWGFAST, established in 1995, is one of several Scientific Working Groups (SWGs). The overall intent of Scientific Working Groups is to improve forensic science practices and build consensus amongst federal, state, and local forensic laboratories and practitioners. The SWGs are a focal point for discussion on key issues confronting various forensic science disciplines which will lead to the establishment of guidelines and standards through consensus and general acceptance. The guidelines and standards published by them are widely recognized by the forensic community, the courts, and the forensic laboratory accrediting bodies.

SWGFAST has developed and published standards, guidelines and recommended practices for many areas of specific interest to the friction ridge examination community. There are a number of topics currently being addressed and several more under consideration for the future. SWGFAST addresses their workload based on a decision of priority determined by a consensus of the members.

The membership of SWGFAST is comprised of a diverse group of dedicated and professionally recognized individuals. This includes not only friction ridge examination experts from law enforcement agencies, but also defense experts, researchers, instructors, academicians, laboratory managers, and others. This diversity is particularly evident during the group’s discussions and is reflected in the guidelines and standards that are produced.

It is recognized by SWGFAST that the fundamental principles and scientific foundations for friction ridge impression examinations are the same for both latent and tenprint comparisons. The differences existing between the two applications are not readily discernible outside of the fingerprint expert community. This becomes most evident when the courts are considering fingerprint testimony, whether it is tenprint testimony for prior arrest record purposes during sentencing or latent print testimony during trial. In consideration of the practices shared by the two disciplines, several SWGFAST documents will reflect changes to adequately meet the shared needs of both.

Efforts are ongoing to merge some existing SWGFAST documents and expanding the scope of others.  The Standards for Conclusions and the Friction Ridge Examination Methodology for Latent Print Examiners documents will likely be consolidated since the relationship of the information is so intertwined.

SWGFAST guidelines, standards, position statements, and a resource kit for the press, are available on www.swgfast.org. Feedback regarding documents published as a Draft For Comment, suggestions for new documents, the press kit, position statements, and research topics may be submitted via the SWGFAST website. An automated response will acknowledge the submission and the comments will be presented at the next SWGFAST meeting.

Leonard Butt, Chair
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge
Analysis, Study and Technology