West Virginia University’s growing expertise in biometrics research has drawn more attention from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in the form of nearly $1 million worth of grants to further develop important evidence collection technologies.

Generally, biometrics refers to methods of recognizing humans based upon one or more intrinsic physical or behavioral traits. WVU has developed extensive credentials in the biometrics research area.

DHS and the FBI have awarded $426,772 to Tina Moroose, teaching assistant professor in the Forensic and Investigative Science (FIS) Program in the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences to research improvements in the way investigators collect human scent evidence.

A second DHS/FBI grant in the amount of $414,184 was awarded to Arun Ross, assistant professor in the WVU College of Engineering and Mineral Resources’ Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering to research ways to improve fingerprint analysis under a federal initiative known as the Friction Ridge Support Services Project.

LaRue Williams, WVU director of homeland security programs and Keith Morris, Ming Hsieh Distinguished Professor of Forensic and Investigative Science and director of the FIS Program co-investigators on both projects.

“Changing needs in law enforcement and an increased need for public service solutions throughout the entire federal government have created a demand for collaborations and cooperation with federal partners,” Williams said. “Our FBI partnership allows West Virginia to pursue that research and help transition it into real world application. We are honored to be part of these exciting projects.”

Moroose’s work will center on refining methods for capturing trace human epithelial cells for use in scent evidence collection. She explained that even the most meticulous criminals leave behind invisible trace scent evidence that is unique. Recent improved techniques have catapulted the use of the scent evidence to the forefront of major criminal investigations.

Ross explained the WVU role in the “friction ridge” fingerprint project.

“The goal of this project is to improve our understanding of the features that can contribute to the distinctiveness of fingerprints across individuals from a statistical perspective,” he said. This work will benefit the forensics and biometrics communities even as we seek to enhance the science of fingerprints.”

“Friction ridge impressions” is a term used to denote palm prints and fingerprints and the work of Ross. Morris and LaRue will help experts understand the role of fingerprints in establishing the identity of an individual.

The fingerprint project will define the quality and quantity of information in a friction ridge impression during analysis; expand on procedures to map record and recognize fingerprint features; and develop standards for fingerprint images.

WVU has become a focal point for biometric work. For example, WVU’s comprehensive, integrative research and education programs in biometrics are known worldwide. The University is the academic arm of the FBI’s Biometric Center of Excellence; provides biometrics research support to the FBI and its law enforcement and national security partners; and serves as the FBI liaison to the academic community of biometric researchers nationwide. Additionally, WVU is the founder and lead site for a National Science Foundation-supported function known as CITeR – an initiative that focuses on biometrics and related identification technology and systems.

These grants bolster a recent grant of $4 million from the Department of Justice which will help WVU’s Forensic Science Initiative provide additional training and resources for forensic scientists nationwide.

Read more about the Department of Justice grant in the Dominion Post.