Abstract

Forensic Interpretation of Glass Evidence begins with a brief overview of the physical properties of glass, methods for glass analysis, classical approaches to the interpretation of forensic glass data, and glass transfer and persistence studies. Building on this foundation, the Bayesian method of interpretation is outlined, and the authors discuss some of the various parameters that may be necessary for a Bayesian analysis. The Bayesian method is a statistical treatment that uses a “continuous approach” to evidence interpretation that abandons the conventional “match/non-match” treatment of the data. The Bayesian method, as presented in this book, uses the likelihood ratio to numerically represent the weight of the evidence. The likelihood ratio is an expression for the relative probabilities of the evidence under competing hypotheses. The significance of a measured parameter, limited in the text to refractive index (RI), is modified by taking into account factors such as the background information (eyewitness statements, previous criminal activity, . . .), presence, transfer, and persistence of glass.

Author Information

Bottrell, MC
Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, Washington, DC
Webb, JB
Federal Bureau of Investigation Laboratory, Washington, DC
Pages: 2
Price: $25.00
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Stock #: JFS15484J
ISSN: 0022-1198
DOI: 10.1520/JFS15484J