Dorsal hand vein analysis: an aid to forensic human identification.

This research focuses on the development of a method for forensic human identification from digital images. The method was originally developed by Dr Meadows (Meadows, 2011) and is currently employed by forensic experts at CAHId in case work across the UK.

Patterns of the superficial veins on the back of an individual’s hand can be used as an aid to forensic human identification in cases where there is limited identifiable information within a digital image.

The method involves assessing patterns identified in an offending image to compare with patterns identified in a police image of a suspect’s hand. Forensic experts then summarise the similarities and differences between the two images to determine whether the suspect’s hand can be excluded from being an acceptable match to the offender, or if the suspect’s hand reveals sufficient similarities for inclusion.

The aim of the project is to strengthen the evidential admissibility of this ground-breaking technique and to achieve national and international acceptance.

A large database of hand images will be utilised to determine the location and nature of superficial vein pattern variation. This information will allow forensic experts to determine the admissibility of the method and to present their findings to the courtroom.

Meadows, H. 2011. Limb Vein Pattern Analysis for Human Forensic Identification. PhD, University of Dundee.