Average Accuracy
Forensic Science or Evidentiary Method Evaluated
99.9%
DNA
Identification of an individual by matching DNA sequences. Most recent study 2008.
98.8%
BALLISTICS
Matching a bullet or casing to a specific weapon. Studies range from 98.5 to 99.0% accuracy – most recent study 2014.
97.1%
FINGERPRINTS
Identification of Latent Fingerprints to a particular individual. Studies range from 94.4 to 99.7% accuracy – most recent study 2014.
96.0%
VOICE IDENTIFICATION
Matching a recording of a person’s voice to an individual. Most recent study 2021.
92.4%
POLYGRAPH (SINGLE ISSUE EXAM)
Polygraph results of a single issue exam. Studies range from 90.4 to 94.4% accuracy – most recent study 2020.
87%
EYE SCAN a/k/a OCULOMOTOR DECEPTION TEST
Eye Scan Technology (a/k/a EyeDetect a/k/a Oculomotor Deception Test) measures ocular changes related to deception. Studies range from 86.0 to 88.0% accuracy – most recent study 2024.
83.7%
POLYGRAPH (MULTIPLE ISSUE OR SCREENING EXAM)
Polygraph results of a multiple issue or screening exam. Studies range from 81.7 to 85.8% accuracy – most recent study 2010.
83.6%
BITEMARK IDENTIFICATION
Matching a bite mark to a particular individual. Studies range from 83.0 to 84.1% accuracy – most recent study 2010.
82.5%
HANDWRITING IDENTIFICATION
Matching a handwriting sample to a specific individual. Studies range from 77.0 to 88.0% accuracy – most recent study 2022.
54.1%
EYEWITNESS IDENTIFICATION
Correctly identifying a suspect through witness accounts. Studies range from 23.3 to 87.5% accuracy – most recent study 2006. “Eyewitness misidentification is the leading cause of known wrongful convictions.”
50.0
VOICE STRESS ANALYSIS
Analyzing voice patterns for indications of stress. Also known as VSA or CVSA. Most recent study 2007. Almost all studies reported CVSA accuracy at “chance” levels.