Analysis Phase
Definition
The first ACE-V phase: the questioned writing is examined in isolation, individual features are catalogued, and the documentation is locked before the exemplars are introduced. Prevents target-shifting bias.
- Parent method
- ACE-V
- Sequence position
- First phase
- Core action
- Catalogue features of questioned writing alone
- Safeguard purpose
- Prevents target-shifting bias
Common questions
What is target-shifting bias and why does isolating the questioned writing prevent it?+
Target-shifting occurs when knowledge of the known exemplar unconsciously steers which features an examiner notices in the questioned document. Documenting and locking the questioned writing's features before ever viewing the exemplars removes that opportunity for the comparison to be led by expectation.
What happens if an examiner skips locking the analysis before comparison?+
Without a documented, pre-comparison feature list, it becomes difficult to demonstrate that conclusions were reached independently of the exemplar, which weakens the method's defensibility under cross-examination and in proficiency review.
Related terms
- ACE-V
- Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification: the four-stage method for latent print examination used by accredited forensic fingerprint laboratories. Analysis examines the latent in...
- Comparison Phase
- The second ACE-V phase: the catalogued features of the questioned writing are evaluated against the exemplar set, documenting both similarities and differences...
- Daubert Criteria
- The four criteria a US federal court applies to assess the admissibility of expert scientific testimony: has the methodology been tested, has...
- Evaluation Phase
- The third ACE-V phase: the combined weight of similarities and differences is expressed as a conclusion on the SWGDOC nine-point scale or...
- Linear ACE-V
- An implementation of ACE-V methodology that enforces strict sequential documentation: analysis of the latent mark must be completed and recorded before the...
- Sequential Unmasking
- An information-sequencing protocol in which the examiner receives the questioned material first, completes and documents the analysis before receiving the known standards,...
- SWGDOC Nine-Point Scale
- The conclusion scale developed by the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Document Examination, running from 'identification' (most positive) through 'no conclusion' (midpoint)...
- Target-Shifting
- The cognitive bias whereby an examiner's perception of the questioned writing is unconsciously shaped by prior knowledge of what the exemplar writer's...
- Verification Phase
- The fourth ACE-V phase: an independent second examiner repeats the ACE process without access to the first examiner's conclusion, providing an independent...