Research indicates that forensic science professionals operate under significant pressure, the magnitude of which varies depending on their field, workload, case type, tenure, and the evidentiary significance of their testimony in court. This study conducted a needs analysis of forensic science professionals by examining their psychological well-being, coping mechanisms, and barriers to accessing mental health services. A total of 618 individuals from the AAFS community completed the anonymous online Qualtrics survey. Out of 618 participants, 601 participants responded to the PCL-5 questionnaire, which revealed that 8.4% (n = 52) of the 601 forensic science professionals have probable PTSD symptoms. There was no significant difference between genders for probable PTSD symptoms. However, 76.5% of the probable PTSD symptomatic population were more likely to seek therapy as a result of work-related stress. Female forensic science professionals and forensic science professionals with fewer years of work experience were likely to report more psychological distress symptoms. A similar pattern was noticed with using coping strategies and experiencing mental health barriers based on gender and years of working experience. In general, forensic science professionals were more likely to report positive coping strategies (e.g., talking with a spouse) and less likely to use maladaptive strategies (e.g., drugs). Finally, female forensic science professionals reported 5 out of 14 mental health barriers to help-seeking behavior. Findings support the need to implement a supportive organizational culture, including training, awareness programs, and encouraging help-seeking behaviors, irrespective of gender and years of experience.

Protocol verification is a fit-for-purpose test of laboratory procedures. We present here verification testing of a DNA mixture interpretation protocol, following ANSI/ASB Standard 020, Standard for Validation Studies of DNA Mixtures, and Development and Verification of a Laboratory's Mixture Interpretation Protocol. The blind testing called for in the standard was performed on a set of nine DNA mixtures created with contributors unique to the verification, using a range of donor ratios (distinguishable and indistinguishable), DNA inputs (0.25-3.6 ng), and numbers of contributors (2-4). The testers ("verifiers") were given .hid files, along with limited contextual information that simulated the state of caseworker knowledge prior to PCR amplification, and they were tasked with determining contributor number and suitability for interpretation, analyzing each interpretable mixture, and generating simple likelihood ratios (LRs) and corresponding verbal predicate assignments. Although the differences observed across verifiers were within the scope of the draft mixture interpretation procedure and resulted in non-consequential differences among the calculated LRs, we found that the process led to significant improvements in training efficiency and pre-release protocol refinement. We also found that DNA mixture selection, verifier training prior to verification testing, and assessment criteria development must all be considered carefully to make the process as effective as possible, particularly in a multi-laboratory system. The planning and results summarized in this paper can serve as a template to other forensic DNA laboratories seeking to incorporate the recommendations of ANSI/ASB Standard 020 into their quality assurance systems.

While the forensic sciences offer versatile and rewarding careers, practitioners and administrative staff within the field report high levels of occupational stress (OS). OS stems from job tasks and requirements, workplace culture, and the broader legal system, ranging from job strain to more severe vicarious trauma and secondary traumatic stress (VT/STS). Despite recognition of the consequences of OS in forensic sciences, most research focuses on individual risk factors without considering the broader context. The aim of this study was to develop a socio-ecological model specifically for use within the forensic sciences that holistically overviews the sources and risk factors for OS and VT/STS. To underpin and develop this model, a three-step mixed studies critical review was conducted, comprising a literature search, in-depth analysis of empirical literature using robust methods, and a thematic content analysis. The identified themes were subsequently grouped within five identified OS domains: individual, interpersonal, job content, job context, and sociopolitical. The findings indicated that the risk for developing OS and VT/STS in the forensic sciences can be understood through the factors across the five domains. The risk factors and the five domains are explored in detail within the present article. Recommendations for addressing OS and VT/STS include interventions to identify, remove, and manage risks for OS across all five domains, recognizing the impact that the job content, job context, and sociopolitical factors have on an individual's resilience to workplace demands. We conclude by providing future research directions that will enhance the model specifically developed for this paper.

When human remains are in an advanced stage of decomposition, drug concentrations are altered. In five decedents morphine, morphine-3-glucuronide (M3G), and morphine-6-glucuronide (M6G) concentration changes and bacterial DNA were investigated after 13 weeks of burial. Femoral blood (FB), musculus quadriceps femoris (QM), adipose tissue (AT), synovial fluid (SF), and vitreous humor (VH) were collected on arrival at the morgue (t1), 15-24 h later (t2), and after burial of 13 weeks (t3). At t3 FB, QM, AT, and BM were sampled during autopsy, along with additional samples. Morphine, M3G, and M6G concentrations were determined. The median morphine concentration change, expressed as t2/t1 ratios in FB, VH, SF, QM, and AT was 0.96 (0.87->1.1), 1.1 (0.90-1.2), 0.92 (0.86-1.02), 1.1 (0.90-1.6), and 1.4 (1.2-1.8), respectively. At t3 the concentrations showed wide variability, with the least in QM. The median(range) morphine to FB (t1) ratios in matrices collected at t3 from the torso (central) and outside the torso (peripheral) were 4.8 (1.0-70) and 1.3 (0.02->3.1), respectively, and were significantly different. The central and peripheral median M3G to morphine t3/t1 ratios were 0.31 (0.01-1.2) and 1.4 (range 0.34-13), respectively, suggesting postmortem deconjugation of M3G. Bacterial DNA was detected in all matrices. At t3 most matrices examined had a higher bacterial DNA concentration compared to t1. The measured t2/t1 morphine ratios suggest stability of morphine concentrations between t1 and t2. At t3 morphine concentrations in peripheral matrices are lower than in central matrices, where QM and BT are possible alternatives to analyze at extended PMIs.

Forensic facial examinations (FFE) primarily relies on manual image examination by trained experts using standardized protocols to identify suspects through detailed comparisons. In contrast, automated facial recognition (AFR) employs machine learning and AI algorithms to generate match scores between faces, producing ranked lists of potential suspects within a given population. In both these approaches, final identification decisions must still be validated and justified by qualified practitioners to ensure legal accountability and court admissibility. This study presents an innovative FFE workflow based on the output of AFR and empowered by the use of a Bayesian statistical software tool based on kernel density estimation (KDE) for likelihood ratio (LR) calculation, demonstrated through a case study conducted with the Carabinieri Investigation Department. The methodology is based on (1) the generation of match scores between facial images using automated software, (2) the calculation of LRs through statistical modeling against reference population data, (3) Tippett Plot validation aligned with ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) guidelines to demonstrate model accuracy to ensure forensic reliability beyond mere LR calculation. The proposed framework provides court-admissible statistical results for facial comparisons while maintaining practitioner oversight. This methodological approach can support forensic practitioners in the courtroom with a statistical result related to the use of AFR tools. This methodology has been shared with ENFSI experts in facial comparison.

This mixed-methods research examines the emotional and cognitive impact of courtroom testimony when conducted by forensic professionals in Pakistan. In this study, 10 practitioners of different forensic fields were interviewed semi-structurally, and 120 respondents were used to complete a structured questionnaire. The findings of the qualitative approach revealed that there was anticipatory anxiety prior to testifying, physical symptoms of being shaky and unable to sleep, and long-term emotional exhaustion. As a consequence, the professionals reported reduced confidence. Most interviewees noted that they felt unsupported and at the mercy of conflicting lawyers when being cross-examined. To endorse these results, the quantitative analysis found a high correlation between courtroom anxiety and psychological distress, and low use of coping strategies. Regression analysis highlighted that the greater the professional experience and previous courtroom training, the less stress he/she had and the more coping mechanisms were used, with demographic factors having relatively little influence. Lack of institutional support procedures that are formal endangers professionals to burnout and can lower their quality in testimonial services, which may affect the credibility of the judicial process. The results indicate that resilience training, formal debriefing, and supervision support should be used in forensic institutions to guarantee the well-being of practitioners and maintain the quality of courtroom evidence.

Sharp force injuries caused by cutting or stabbing instruments represent a relatively rare cause of death in the United States, with firearms remaining the leading mechanism in homicides. Among sharp instruments, machete-related fatalities are infrequently reported, and no documented suicides have been described. In this case, an adult male with a history of schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and depression was found deceased at home with a machete embedded in the chest. Postmortem examination revealed a wound tract involving multiple rib fractures, lung and pulmonary artery injury, and left hemothorax. The scene investigation, psychiatric history, and autopsy findings supported a suicidal manner of death. This case highlighted the unique forensic challenges posed by machete injuries which, due to the nature of the weapon and resulting injuries, can complicate the determination of the manner of death. Differentiating suicide from homicide in such cases requires a comprehensive approach, including thorough scene analysis, detailed autopsy, and consideration of psychiatric and circumstantial evidence.

This technical note addresses forensic challenges in analyzing how images are embedded and represented within Portable Document Format (PDF) files. It was developed to support forensic practitioners-particularly those engaged in digital image analysis-in interpreting embedded image structures through hex-level inspection and format-specification-aligned analysis. Exploratory testing was conducted using hex editors and JSON-generated structure reports to examine internal PDF components, object models, and syntax in accordance with International Organization for Standardization (ISO) PDF standards. Embedding behaviors were analyzed across common image formats and insertion methods using Adobe Acrobat and LibreOffice Draw. The study identified a modular taxonomy of embedded image types and software-specific behaviors, revealing consistent internal structures with subtle variations in object placement and metadata retention. GIF-derived embeddings exhibited palette-based encoding and transparency features requiring specialized verification. This technical note introduces foundational methods for object-level interpretation of embedded image structures in PDFs, supporting examiner-led validation and reproducible structural comparison. Future work will extend these observations through broader sampling and quantitative assessment. The work aligns with priorities identified by the Video/Image Technology and Analysis (VITAL) subcommittee of the Organization of Scientific Area Committees for Forensic Science (OSAC), which called for improved understanding of PDF image lifecycle integrity.

The City of Tulsa initiated The 1921 Graves Investigation in 2020 in order to recover and identify African American victims of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre from unmarked graves. The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in downtown Tulsa over May 31, 1921, to June 1, 1921, as an act of mob violence, homicide, looting, and arson by white Tulsans against the African American residents of the neighboring Greenwood community. Thirty-nine deaths from both races were documented, and one of the known African American burial sites was in the city cemetery, Oaklawn. Oklahoma statutes regarding disinterment resulted in a recovery plan in which the forensic anthropology lab was established on the cemetery grounds, and lab procedures were adapted for managing fair to poor skeletal preservation, all while accommodating community support and working under media scrutiny. Collaboration between City personnel and the anthropological experts included application of traditional and novel resources to create and operationalize the field laboratory, including adapting a portable building into a functional lab, finding lightweight and opaque remains transport containers, using commonly acquired supplies for new purposes, and modifying analytical techniques for field radiography not previously observed in the literature. These customizations have resulted in the successful implementation of the field laboratory, and the analysis of skeletal remains over five episodes of recoveries and analyses of decedents, as well as a complete deconstruction of the lab at the end of each field season. We present this field laboratory and toolkit assemblage as a resource to the literature of anthropological field analysis.

Diphenhydramine (DPH) is a widely available first-generation antihistamine that, in supratherapeutic doses, can cause severe toxicity and even death. While commonly reported in cases of combined drug toxicity, fatalities attributed to DPH toxicity alone are rarely documented in forensic literature. A retrospective review was conducted of deaths attributed solely to DPH toxicity, investigated by the Cook County Medical Examiner's Office (CCMEO) between 2015 and 2024. Demographic information, postmortem findings, and circumstantial data were collected from autopsy, toxicology, and investigative reports. Twenty-five cases were included (13 males, 12 females; age range 14-55 years). Peripheral blood concentrations ranged from 3300 to 228,000 ng/ml. The most commonly observed autopsy findings included pulmonary edema and pill fragments in the gastrointestinal tract. Most cases (20 out of 25) were certified as suicides, with depression being the most frequently identified psychiatric risk factor. A comparative review of the literature (1998-2024) confirmed the wide variability of DPH peripheral blood concentration in cases of acute toxicity, ranging from 14,640 to 285,000 ng/ml. Demographic patterns and manner of death prevalence were similar to the CCMEO cases, with additional reports highlighting adolescent overdoses linked to social media challenges and intentional ingestions among socially vulnerable individuals. DPH-only toxicity should be carefully considered in postmortem investigations, especially due to the lack of specific autopsy findings and the wide range of postmortem concentrations in all matrices. Circumstantial evidence, scene findings, and reference to the available literature are essential for the accurate certification of the cause and manner of death in such cases.

This study investigated links between skeletal age estimation error and lifestyle variables to better elucidate sources of interpersonal variability in the rates of skeletal aging. Skeletal age for 180 individuals from the New Mexico Decedent Image Database was estimated by applying the Suchey-Brooks method and transition analysis to 3D models of the pubic symphysis, and age estimates were compared to known age-at-death. Age estimation bias and accuracy for both methods were evaluated first with respect to single lifestyle variables, then random forest modeling was used to test variability with respect to all lifestyle variables. Age estimation bias was shown to be significantly different with respect to sex when applying transition analysis, but not when applying Suchey-Brooks, and males tended to be underaged relative to females of the same age. While no statistically significant differences in bias existed for either method between BMI categories, random forest modeling indicated that body size exerts a limited but variable influence on skeletal aging. Additional variables were highlighted as potentially influential to skeletal aging by random forests, such as socioeconomic status, but ultimately, model performance and variable importance plots demonstrated that these influences were slight and nonuniform. These data suggest that including considerations of lifestyle variables in skeletal aging methods would not improve aging estimates.

Traditionally, forensic anthropologists worked on secured scenes or in academic labs. Today, practitioners are more involved in casework, working alongside forensic pathologists during autopsies, mass disasters, and interviewing relatives. This expanded role brings practitioners into closer and repeated contact with the emotional aspects of death and associated vicarious trauma (VT). While many forensic disciplines address the impact of VT, the effects on forensic anthropologists remain underexplored. The authors surveyed practitioners (N = 114) who worked with human remains in a medicolegal context part-time, full-time, or as a part of coursework. Questions focused on how practitioners acknowledge or support their mental health and which aspects of casework they find triggering or stressful. Respondents had the option to provide open text testimonials. Participants were triggered most by children/child abuse cases and testifying at trial. Stress was highest surrounding personal finances, work/life balance, engagement with supervisors, and speaking with decedents' family/friends. While many felt supported by coworkers and supervisors, approximately half felt comfortable directly discussing their concerns. The majority noted availability to wellness programs and over half have sought professional support. Participants highlighted compartmentalization, peer/coworker support, and exercise/sports to cope with work-related stress. These results underscore challenges and resilience in forensic anthropology. Despite gaps in support, communication, and normalization of mental health discussions, practitioners demonstrated a commitment to their profession, supported by coping strategies and institutional resources. Continued efforts to address vicarious trauma in forensic anthropology practice are essential to fostering and normalizing a healthier, sustainable workforce.

Mental health professionals who conduct forensic assessments are often exposed to stressors during evaluations of justice-involved individuals (e.g., graphic descriptions of violence, crime scene photos), yet little research has examined vicarious trauma among forensic mental health evaluators. Vicarious trauma refers to the emotional and psychological impact experienced by individuals who are indirectly exposed to traumatic events. This study used a self-report survey to examine how various protective and risk factors impact the prevalence of vicarious trauma among forensic psychologists (N = 82). Results revealed that perceived social support, trait empathy, the total number of evaluations conducted, and substance use as a coping skill were not significantly related to forensic psychologists' experience of vicarious trauma. Although results were not statistically significant, this study's methodology contributes to the existing literature by exploring how vicarious trauma may manifest differently in forensic psychologists when compared to other "helping professions," and it provides suggestions for future research to more accurately capture the construct of vicarious trauma. Future research should seek to improve existing operationalizations of vicarious trauma and explore it'sprevalence among other types of forensic mental health evaluators.

Forensic anthropologists commonly estimate osteological sex using separate morphological and metric analyses, without integrating both data types into a single classification model. Combining data types into one model has the potential to increase sex classification accuracies for the skull. Therefore, the present study seeks to improve classification accuracies for the skull by combining morphological and metric variables using random forest (RF) modeling. The main objectives are (1) generate multiple RF models that incorporate various combinations of morphological and metric variables for estimating osteological sex from an unknown individual, (2) compare the performance of morphological, metric, and combined data RF models, and (3) compare the results of the RF models to current methods for osteological sex estimation of the skull. The sample included 212 European Americans (males = 106, females = 106) and 191 African Americans (males = 114, females = 77). The models were trained on 80% of the sample and tested using a 20% holdout sample. Multiple models were generated using morphological, metric, and combined variables. Across all model types, the skull and cranium models achieved higher accuracies compared to the mandible models. The morphological and combined models attained higher accuracies compared to the metric models. Additionally, the morphological and combined RF models attained comparable classification accuracies to current standard osteological sex estimation methods, as well as compared to previous studies that integrated skull measurements and traits. Future research should continue exploring RF modeling for osteological sex estimation, including models combining metric and morphological variables from multiple skeletal regions.

At the core of the common law, rooted in fairness, is the principle that an accused must be "fit" or "competent" to answer charges pursued by the state. Fitness rules vary considerably across jurisdictions but generally share the requirement that the accused be able to actively participate in the conduct of their defense. In the Canadian tradition, the common law on fitness is codified in Section 2 of the Criminal Code. For over 30 years, statutory interpretation of the law has been limited to provincial courts of appeal in Canada. Now, for the first time, the Supreme Court of Canada has rendered an opinion on the fitness test, thus creating new binding case law across the country on the question. Largely endorsing decisions rendered in the Ontario Court of Appeal in Taylor, and then Bharwani, the Supreme Court has endorsed a broadened test and fuller interpretation of the statute, highlighting that defense decisions must be reality-based and communicated intelligibly. Fluctuations in fitness are acknowledged, and while symptoms may be present, they must not be overwhelming in nature. Here, we review the legislative and judicial history leading to the decision in R v. Bharwani before providing a psycholegal analysis of the decision and a review of its implications for forensic mental health professionals. Beyond utility to those practicing in Canada, this historic and landmark ruling is thought to be instructive to those in America and other Commonwealth nations around the world grappling with the nuances of competency capacity thresholds.

Ecstasy tablets are commonly associated with 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), but they often contain diverse psychoactive substances, including new psychoactive substances (NPS), which pose significant risks to users due to unknown composition and effects. This study analyzed 150 Ecstasy tablets seized in Poland between 2020 and 2021, shaped as "Stormtrooper" heads, to identify their chemical composition. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography with photodiode array detection (UHPLC-PDA), we detected MDMA, 3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine (MDA), and for the first time in Polish seizures, a novel phenylethylamine derivative-3,4-methylenedioxy-N,N-dimethylamphetamine (MDDM). MDDM, a methyl analogue of MDMA and dimethyl analogue of MDA, has limited pharmacological data and reportedly mild psychoactive effects. Its presence is likely linked to impurities or by-products formed during illicit MDMA synthesis. Quantitative analysis revealed that MDA occurred in the highest concentrations per tablet (26-74 mg), followed by MDDM (11-28 mg) and MDMA (3-11 mg). Although MDDM alone is considered to have low potency, its co-occurrence with other phenylethylamines may produce synergistic effects, potentially increasing toxicity. These findings shed light on synthetic routes in illicit MDMA production and highlight the unpredictable chemical composition of street drugs. The detection of multiple active substances-even at low doses-raises significant public health concerns, highlighting the necessity for continuous forensic monitoring and increased awareness of the dynamic and complex nature of synthetic drug markets.

Restraint-related sudden deaths in agitated individuals raise complex questions at the intersection of medicine and law. Hyperactive delirium with extreme agitation as well as positional asphyxia due to restraint have been proposed to account for these deaths. However, the exact physiological mechanisms responsible and to what extent restraint contributes to the lethal outcome remain debated. In this nationwide, 32-year retrospective study between 1992 and 2024, we examined circumstances surrounding sudden deaths during restraint of agitated individuals in Sweden. A total of 52 cases were identified, with an average of 0.17 deaths per million inhabitants annually. Ninety percent of cases involved prone restraint and 69% showed evidence of stimulant use. In 15 cases from 2005 onward, peri-arrest arterial blood gas data revealed profound metabolic and respiratory acidosis, with a mean blood pH of 6.52 (range: 6.30-6.95; median: 6.50), mean lactate concentration of 26.3 mmol/L (range: 8.6-41.0; median: 30), and mean pCO of 14.8 kPa (range: 6.4-22.3; median: 15.3). Based on these findings, we propose a two-phase pathophysiological model of restraint-related cardiac arrest. The initial "priming phase" involves extreme physical exertion, creating a critically acidotic state that requires full respiratory and cardiovascular function to maintain homeostasis. If the "priming phase" is followed by restraint that restricts ventilatory function and hampers venous return, e.g., restraint in the prone position, an unstable "tipping phase" is initiated, that may culminate in cardiac arrest. This model builds on previous hypotheses and emphasizes the potentially lethal consequences of inhibiting ventilatory function in acutely agitated individuals.

Elevated beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) is a marker for ketoacidosis. Post-mortem values for the diagnosis of fatal ketoacidosis and the associated clinical and histologic findings are limited in the pediatric population. A retrospective case series of pediatric autopsy records and histology slides was conducted. Deaths occurring between 2010 and 2022 of children (ages<18 years) with an elevated BHB level (vitreous BHB >2 mmol/L or blood >200 mg/L) were analyzed. Histology of the heart, lung, liver, and kidneys was reviewed and scored. Five hundred twelve pediatric autopsies were conducted during the study period, of which 20 cases (3.9%) met the inclusion criteria. The age ranged from stillborn to 17 years, with a mean age of 6.3 years and a median age of 3.5 years. The mean concentration of vitreous BHB was 3.9 mmol/L (median 2.69; range 2.0-11.86 mmol/L; n = 17 cases) and the blood BHB had a mean of 416 mg/L (median 291; range from <50 mg/L to 1188 mg/L; n = 9 cases). Death was attributed to diabetic ketoacidosis, infection, malignancy, trauma, congenital heart disease, and drug toxicity. Histological changes were seen in all tissues examined in this pediatric population including hepatic steatosis (n = 17), glycogenated hepatocyte nuclei (n = 5), renal tubular vacuoles (n = 7) and heart vacuoles (n = 9). The only statistically significant correlation was found between vitreous BHB and renal tubular vacuoles (p = 0.014). Overall, elevated BHB levels were identified in blood and/or vitreous in fatal diabetic and non-diabetic cases, including infection. Diabetic ketoacidosis had the highest level of BHB at 11.86 mmol/L.

Breath alcohol simulators are devices that use a heated ethanol/water solution to simulate human breath. Vapor created from heating the solution is commonly used to calibrate alcohol breath testing instruments. When the vapor of the same solution is repeatedly sampled, it causes the ethanol concentration to deplete at a currently unknown rate. The goal of this study was to quantify and better understand the ethanol depletion in non-recirculating system breath alcohol simulators. Simulators were filled with alcohol reference solutions, and air was pumped through the simulator and output to the analyzing instrument repeatedly until a change in concentration was observed, measured using infrared spectroscopy. Flow rates of 11, 16, and 21 L/min were tested to observe the impact of flow rate on depletion; concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.40 BrAC were tested to measure the impact of initial concentration on depletion. It was found that when observing different flow rates, the depletion of ethanol concentration was directly correlated to the total liters of air that passed through the system (r > -0.95). Altering initial concentrations showed that as the solution concentration increased, the rate of depletion of ethanol also increased. Our findings indicate that the total ethanol depletion in a non-recirculating system breath alcohol simulator can be described as a percentage of the original concentration being lost when a specific volume of air is passed through the system. We then calculated an equation that can predict ethanol concentration in the solution after repeated testing.

Since the late 20th century, wrongful convictions based on fingerprint evidence and judicial scrutiny have raised questions about the scientific validity of fingerprint evidence, necessitating research into the scientific foundations of fingerprint identification. This article employs state-of-the-art AI algorithms to achieve fingerprint pattern classification, pose estimation, and minutiae detection. Based on a large-scale dataset of 620,211 fingerprint images, various analytical methods are applied to explore the relationships between fingerprint patterns, minutiae, and fingers, and statistical analysis is conducted on the quantity and spatial distribution of six types of minutiae: ridge endings, bifurcations, spurs, independent ridges, lakes, and crossovers. Compared with previous research, the average accuracy of minutiae detection is improved from 97.22% to 99.45%. Results indicate that whorls are the most common pattern, associated with thumbs and ring fingers, while loops are associated with middle and little fingers. The overall distribution ranges (in percentages) of the six types of minutiae are: ridge endings [58.288, 58.875], bifurcations [37.874, 38.421], spurs [1.301, 1.314], independent ridges [1.246, 1.260], lakes [0.415, 0.419], and crossovers [0.291, 0.295]. Spatial distribution analysis reveals that independent ridges exhibit concentrated distribution in delta regions, while the other types of minutiae are primarily concentrated in the core regions. This article quantifies the evidential value of different minutiae by analyzing the relationships among patterns, minutiae, and fingers as well as the spatial distribution of minutiae, providing a scientific statistical foundation for establishing probabilistic fingerprint identification models and contributing to improving objectivity and scientific rigor in fingerprint identification.