Given the legal questions we often face, especially regarding the quantification of “very likely” in percentages, I would like to explain why I, as an expert, have decided to avoid such numerical assessments. The probability of identity or non-identity is deliberately formulated as a verbal predicate because biostatistical calculations are problematic. There is a lack of sufficiently extensive and validated databases that consider various ethnic origins and age groups. Moreover, the reference images were not created under standardized conditions. Therefore, the “actual” expression of features is often not discernible, and calculations based on the “apparent” expression could lead to erroneous conclusions.
