1.

Record Nr.

UNINA9910155138103321

Autore

Bell Suzanne <1940, >

Titolo

Measurement uncertainty in forensic science : a practical guide / / by Suzanne Bell

Pubbl/distr/stampa

Boca Raton, FL : , : CRC Press, an imprint of Taylor and Francis, , [2016]

©2017

ISBN

1-315-40090-1

1-315-40089-8

1-315-40088-X

Descrizione fisica

1 online resource (174 pages) : illustrations, tables

Disciplina

363.25015195

Soggetti

Forensic sciences - Statistical methods

Measurement uncertainty (Statistics)

Lingua di pubblicazione

Inglese

Formato

Materiale a stampa

Livello bibliografico

Monografia

Nota di bibliografia

Includes bibliographical references at the end of each chapters and index.

Nota di contenuto

Cover -- Half Title -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Dedication -- Contents -- List of Figures -- List of Tables -- Preface -- Author -- 1 Forensic Measurements, Metrology, and Uncertainty -- 1.1 Consequence -- 1.2 The Best Way -- 1.3 Measurement Science and Traceability -- 1.4 Accuracy and Variability -- 1.5 Foundational Skills and Materials -- 1.6 Summary and Preview -- References -- 2 Sources of Uncertainty -- 2.1 Where Does Uncertainty Come From? -- 2.2 Diameter of a Penny -- 2.3 Weighing Pennies -- 2.4 The Need to Know -- 2.5 A Flowchart -- 2.6 The Elephant in the Room -- 2.7 Summary -- Further Reading -- 3 Foundational Concepts -- 3.1 Closeness to the True Value -- 3.2 Replicate Measurements and Spread -- 3.3 The Normal Distribution (and Others) -- 3.4 Figures of Merit -- 3.5 Summary and Preview -- References -- 4 Process and Procedures -- 4.1 Uncertainty Defined -- 4.2 Process of Uncertainty Estimation -- 4.3 Tools for Identifying Contributors: Measurement of�Density -- 4.4 Summary and Preview -- References -- 5 Measurement Assurance: Distances, Crime Scenes, and Firearms -- 5.1 Distance Measurement -- 5.2 Capturing Uncertainty -- 5.3 Firearms Measurements -- 5.4 Summary and Preview -- References -- 6 Uncertainty and�Weighing --



6.1 How Balances Work -- 6.2 Buoyancy -- 6.3 Uncertainty Associated with the Balance -- 6.4 Balance Calibration -- 6.5 Uncertainty Budget with Balance Parameters -- 6.6 Uncertainty Budget with Parameters from a Calibration Certicfiate -- 6.7 Measurement Assurance and Control Chart Approach -- 6.8 Control Charts -- 6.9 Correlation of Events -- 6.10 Correlation and Weighing -- 6.11 Combined Example -- 6.12 Summary and Preview -- References -- 7 Breath Alcohol -- 7.1 Measuring Breath Alcohol -- 7.2 Dry Gas Calibration -- 7.3 Eeffctive Degrees of Freedom -- 7.4 Wet Gas Calibration -- 7.5 Uncertainty and Simulators -- 7.6 Field Use and Uncertainty -- 7.7 Summary and Preview -- References -- 8 Miscellaneous Topics -- 8.1 Quantitative Analysis -- 8.2 Sampling -- 8.3 Sensitivity Coefficients -- 8.4 Uncertainty and Equations -- 8.5 Accuracy and Uncertainty -- 8.6 Summary -- References -- Index -- A -- B -- C -- D -- E -- F -- G -- H -- I -- K -- L -- M -- N -- O -- P -- Q -- R -- S -- T -- U -- V -- W.

Sommario/riassunto

In the courtroom, critical and life-changing decisions are made based on quantitative forensic science data. There is often a range in which a measured value is expected to fall and, in this, an inherent uncertainty associated with such measurement. Uncertainty in this context is not error. In fact, estimations of uncertainty can add to the utility and reliability of quantitative results, be it the length of a firearm barrel, the weight of a drug sample, or the concentration of ethanol in blood. Measurement Uncertainty in Forensic Science: A Practical Guide describes and defines the concepts related to such uncertainty in the forensic context. The book provides the necessary conceptual background and framework a baseline�for developing and deploying reasonable and defensible uncertainty estimations across forensic disciplines. Information is presented conceptually, using easily understood examples, to provide a readable, handy reference for scientists in the laboratory, as well as investigators and legal professionals who require a basic understanding of the science underpinning measurement results.