This is a report on the 2018 Impression, Pattern, and Trace Evidence Symposium (IPTES) sponsored by RTI International, the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), and the Forensic Technology Center of Excellence (FTCoE) to promote collaboration, improve knowledge transfer, and share best practices and policies for the impression, pattern, and trace-evidence forensic science communities.
The Symposium stemmed from NIJ’s and FTCoE’s commitment to improving the practice of forensic science and strengthening its impact by supporting research and development, rigorous technology evaluation and adoption, effective knowledge transfer and education, and comprehensive dissemination of best practices and guidelines to agencies dedicated to combating crime. The IPTES was structured to bring together practitioners and researchers to cultivate information-sharing and promoter collaboration among analysts involved in impression, pattern, and trace evidence analysis, law enforcement, and legal communities. Reports are provided on 13 workshops, 8 general sessions, and “breakout” sessions on impression and pattern evidence, along with trace evidence.