An International Survey of Face-Matching Training

Face matching decisions in applied settings, such as policing, forensics and immigration services, are typically carried out by two types of professionals; facial reviewers and facial examiners. Studies have demonstrated large individual differences in the face matching accuracy of both facial reviewers and examiners. Whether variances in training between agencies could be in part responsible for these individual differences is not currently known. Despite the existence of high-level training guidelines produced by the practitioner community the content, duration and delivery of face matching training is not widely understood in the academic research community. The current study aimed to address this gap in the scientific literature and to better understand how different agencies train facial reviewers and facial examiners, using results collected from an international survey. At the group level facial examiners received longer durations of training, covering more topics and with greater inclusion of mentoring than facial reviewers. However, the survey revealed large differences in the duration, delivery methods and content of training by individual agencies at both the facial review and facial examiner level and low inclusion of evidence-based training practices. These results should help researchers to better understand the diversity in training practices and durations of training between different agencies and may help explain the individual differences observed in the performance of face matching professionals in the literature.