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Problem in Forensic Science

NCJ Number
70198
Journal
Biometrika Volume: 64 Issue: 2 Dated: (August 1977) Pages: 207-213
Author(s)
D V Lindley
Date Published
1977
Length
9 pages
Annotation
A solution to the problems of deciding whether two sets of fragments have come from a common source when the distribution is nonnormal is presented in this British paper.
Abstract
The solution is explained through the use of the following example: window glass breakage takes place when an offender forcibly enters a building. Measurements are made of the refractive indexes of the pieces of glass at the scene and of the fragments of the window glass found on the suspect's clothing. Because of the small size of some of the fragments, the measurements are subject to error. The solution to such problems requires the distribution function of the product of standardized normal quantities which is tabulated in the paper's appendix. Detailed mathematical formulas are presented in sections which focus on the relationship of the solution to a significance test, the probabilities of wrong judgments, and the solution in the nonnormal case. Three references are provided.

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