Susan, From the UK texture of skin article, go to its references, then from those articles, go to their references, etc. You will find much. Make sure you build for yourself a strong foundation in nature's patterns and comparative science.
I start with nature's patterns are unique. Therefore, we are unique, our skin is unique, and the ridges, creases, scars, and other natural features of skin are unique.
First, I would analyze how the images were deposited and recorded or captured. Then I would analyze the images for the details of skin features. I would analyze for details of crease, scar, or other skin features. I would analyze those details for level 1, level 2, and level 3 clarity. The use of levels 1, 2, and 3 measurements should not be restricted to only details of friction ridge features.
I really like the SWGFAST acceptance of crease and other skin features and levels of details. See:
http://www.swgfast.org/documents/examin ... ns_2.0.pdf ,
"1.2.1. Friction ridge skin bears an extremely complex, unique, and persistent morphological structure," and "4. Levels of Friction Ridge Impression Detail For Examinations. Level 1 detail refers to the overall ridge flow. Level 2 detail refers to individual friction ridge paths, friction ridge events (e.g., bifurcations, ending ridges, dots, and continuous ridges), and their relative arrangements. Level 3 detail refers to ridge structures (edge shapes and pores), and their relative arrangements. Creases, scars, warts, incipient ridges, and other features may be reflected in all three levels of details1." "1 For example, a crease could exhibit Level 1 crease flow, Level 2 crease path, and Level 3 crease shape."
I would consider the persistency of the features on the source as I analyze the details in the images.
Then, I would comparatively measure the details between the two images. I would make judgments of the individual comparative measurements and the aggregate of comparative measurements.
From the analyses and comparisons, I would judge the Quality and Quantity of individual comparative measurements and the aggregate Quality and Quantity of those measurements and make a decision: From the analyses and comparisons, I would evaluate whether the images came from different sources (Exclusion), the images came from the same source (Identification), or I do not know (Inconclusive). I would have the images re-examined to determine whether verification occurred. You can pursue multiple re-exams.
I would alter the documentation of how the back of the hand texture article presented the crease documentation. I would use a variety of colors to document corresponding details. Corresponding details 'a' could be yellow, 'b' red, 'c' green, 'd' blue, 'e' orange, etc. You can document corresponding details on paper with colored markers or electronically.
I have participated in examining animal muzzle prints, human elbow prints, broken tree branches, and other patterns from nature. If you will be at the IAI seminar in Sacramento, we can visit. I submitted a paper to present, "Forensic Comparative Science: Where have we been and where might we be going" and should present some workshops. I believe in comparing things.
George, you have my email. Please send me the US v. Richards information. Thanks, JohnV