Topic: One Week Left to Register for Forensics@NIST!

[Robert Thompson]

Only One Week Left to Register!
The Forensics@NIST conference will take place on Nov. 8-9, 2016. Our scientists will present their latest research in ballistics, biometrics, DNA, drug analysis, trace evidence, and other forensic disciplines. In addition, experts from The Center for Statistics and Applications in Forensic Science (CSAFE), a NIST Forensic Science Center of Excellence, will showcase their work in the application of probabilistic methods to pattern evidence and digital evidence.
Agenda:
https://www.nist.gov/sites/default/files/documents/2016/10/06/agenda_v5.pdf
Registration and attendance at this event is completely free of charge.
Register Now
https://appam.certain.com/profile/form/index.cfm?PKformID=0x30800c3d1
Join our Twitter Chat #NISTForensics

[Greg Laskowski]

What research?  According to the PCAST report there is a lack of research in the FATM arena.

[Bob Shem]

Actually research is being done to see what research is needed.

[Robert Thompson]

NOVEMBER 9, 2016
8:30 am – 8:40 am WELCOME
Robert M. Thompson, Senior Forensic Science
Research Manager, SPO
BALLISTICS AND ASSOCIATED TOOL MARKS
8:40 am – 8:50 am Rick Silver, Surface & Nanostructure Metrology
NIST is working to establish a sound metrology infrastructure for ballistics
and tool mark forensics with scientifically justified protocols that yield objective
determinations of identification with well-characterized error rates
for use in forensic laboratories.
8:50 am – 9:10 am Johannes Soons, NIST
Next Generation National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN)
The National Integrated Ballistic Information Network (NIBIN) is the only
national network in the United States for the acquisition and comparison of
images of ballistic evidence to aid in solving and preventing violent crimes
involving firearms. The managing agency, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives (ATF), is making major improvements to the capabilities
and efficiency of the network. The presentation describes a recently
initiated collaboration to realize interoperability of the network with sample
measurement systems from various sources. We conclude with an outlook
describing possible additions to the network to aid examiners in characterizing
the strength of the evidence.
9:10 am – 9:30 am Alan Zheng, NIST
Ballistics Toolmark Research Database
An open-access research database of bullet and cartridge case reference
data, consisting of traditional reflectance microscopy images and three-dimensional
surface topography. The database will foster the development
and validation of advanced algorithms, mathematical similarity criteria, and
quantitative confidence limits for objective ballistics identification.
9:30 am – 9:50 am Heike Hofmann, CSAFE-ISU
Statistical and Algorithmic Approaches to Matching Bullets
This research will provide firearms examiners with an objective approach
to quantify the strength of a match and will enable the profession to
establish clear thresholds to determine whether two sets of striae are
indistinguishable.
9:50 am – 10:10 am Xiao Hui Tai, CSAFE-CMU
Developing Methods for Comparison of Cartridge Breechface Images
The creation of an open-source method for computing numerical signatures
from cartridge breechface images as well as the development of
statistical methods for comparing signatures will be discussed.
10:10 am – 10:20 am Q&A SESSION - Moderator Rick Silver