Introduction.

The article focuses on the emerging role of statistical models in forensic fingerprint analysis and their anticipated impact on scientific, legal, sociological, and ethical aspects of the discipline. It discusses the shift toward probabilistic approaches, including the use of non-identifiable fingermarks (NIFMs) as low-probative-value evidence, and highlights challenges such as potential misinterpretation and the need for adjustments by legal actors. Contributions emphasize that statistical model outputs will require human decision-making, framed as a decision-theoretic problem involving judgments about reliance and loss. The article also notes ongoing questions about how courts will evaluate and communicate such evidence, indicating that the integration of statistical models into forensic practice remains a complex and evolving issue.