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SWGFAST Mission and Organization |
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SWGFAST has been establishing guidelines and
standards for the development and enhancement of friction ridge
examiners’ knowledge, skills, and abilities since 1995. Additionally,
SWGFAST documents provide guidance for training programs, examiner
qualifications, proficiency testing and standardized practices and
terminology. Sponsorship is provided by the Federal Bureau of
Investigation (FBI) and the National Institute of Justice (NIJ). SWGFAST
members include up to fifty representatives from international, federal,
state, and local forensic science laboratories, as well as from academia
and private practice. Members represent practitioners who work with
latent prints (crime scene evidence), tenprints (biometric records), and
associated research and technology sectors. Professionals interested in
becoming a member of SWGFAST are required to submit a letter of interest
along with their credentials for consideration by the group. Membership
approval is based on the availability of vacant positions, and the
perceived intellectual contributions of the candidate, along with the
diversity of their backgrounds and experience. Those wishing to continue
with SWGFAST membership after the expiration of their term must seek
re-election by the current membership, as described in the SWGFAST
Bylaws. If you are still interested in more information about SWGFAST
after reading over some of the more Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs),
feel free to contact the Executive Secretary by e-mail with your request
and your contact information.
Comments on the
current SWGFAST DRAFT
documents and membership interest letters are due by
August 9, 2010. |
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SWGFAST Update |
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September, 2009
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
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Forensic SWG Links |
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FISWG
(Facial Identification)
SWGANTH
(Forensic Anthropology)
SWGCBRN
(Chemical / Biological /
Radiological / Nuclear)
SWGDAM
(DNA Analysis Methods)
SWGDE
(Digital Evidence)
SWGDOC (Questioned Documents)
SWGDOG (Scent Dog)
SWGDRUG
(Analysis of Seized Drugs)
SWGGUN
(Firearms & Toolmarks)
SWGIBRA (Illicit Business Records)
SWGIT
(Imaging Technology)
SWGMAT (Materials Analysis)
SWGSTAIN (Bloodstain Pattern
Analysis)
SWGTREAD
(Footwear & Tiretracks)
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