Topological coding of single fingerprints

The motivation for seeking topological descriptions of single fingerprints is provided by the elasticity of the human skin; successive impressions from the same finger will in-variably have suffered a degree of relative distortion (translation, rotation and stretching). Topology based systems should be free from the detrimental effects of plastic distortion. This thesis is divided into three parts: part I outlines the traditional use of fingerprints as a basis for personal identification and gives detailed explanation of the arguments in favour of topological coding. Methods for the extraction of topology based digital codes are suggested and the ‘placing of lines’ is introduced as an effective means of ordering topological information. In part II specific systems are described for the extraction of simple topological codes from rolled impressions of the pattern types ‘ loops’ , ‘whorls’ and ‘arches’ . The generated codes take the form of vectors or simple digital arrays. The nature and frequency of changes that may occur in such codes is investigated and fingerprint comparison algorithms, based on these topological codes, are developed. The objective of such algorithms is to draw a score derived from the degree of ‘nearness’ of the topological codes in such a manner that it intelligently reflects similarity or dissimilarity in the two prints under comparison. Part III examines the special problems relating to fragmentary ‘scenes-of-crime’ marks. It describes methods of coding fingerprint patterns by a variety of ‘topological coordinate schemes’ , with fingerprint comparison being performed on the basis of localised topological information which is extracted from the recorded coordinate sets. Furthermore, a method for pictorial reconstruction of a complete fingerprint, from its coordinate representation, is demonstrated. Comparison of fingerprints on the basis of digital topological descriptions is shown to offer a substantial improvement in performance over existing (spatial) techniques

Problem-oriented policing: matching the science to the art

Abstract This paper is an edited version of the Jerry Lee Lecture delivered at the Stockholm Criminology Symposium in 2018, the year in which Professor Herman Goldstein was awarded the Stockholm Prize in Criminology in recognition of his contribution to public safety through the development of problem-oriented policing. This paper examines the significance of a problem-oriented approach and seeks to establish the right balance among, and appropriate role for, a broad range of diverse contributions that scholars and analysts can make to support effective problem-solving. It explores the distinctive contributions of experimental criminology and program evaluation to problem-oriented work, and contrasts the inquiry techniques typically employed by social scientists and by natural scientists. The goal of this paper is to usefully “round out” the role that scholars are prepared to play in advancing effective problem-solving practice

The Regulatory craft : controlling risks, solving problems, and managing compliance/ Sparrow

xxii, 346 p.; 25 c

The Regulatory craft : controlling risks, solving problems, and managing compliance/ Sparrow

xxii, 346 hal. : ill. : 23 cm

The Regulatory craft : controlling risks, solving problems, and managing compliance/ Sparrow

xxii, 346 hal.; 25 cm