forensic test

Pattern evidence

items left at a crime scene that may have arisen from different events but that share an identifiable pattern.

Individual evidence (include examples)

evidence that is specific to an individual. Ex: fingerprints, DNA

Anthropometry

a system of personal identification that involved measuring the bony parts of the body and describing marks found on the body

Minutiae

identification points in fingerprints

Latent fingerprint

a fingerprint that is not visible to the naked eye

Patent fingerprint

a fingerprint that is visible to the naked eye and is usually found on glass such as windows or mirrors

Plastic fingerprint

a fingerprint left on a soft material such as clay

What type of evidence are fingerprints classified as?

Individual evidence and pattern evidence

Do identical twins have unique fingerprints?

Yes

Can criminals really burn off their fingerprints to the point where they cannot be identified?

No! The FBI can identify people from the remaining parts of their fingerprints.

Does Ms. Samuel's 94-year-old Grammy have the same fingerprints she was born with?

Yes!!

Does a federal standard exist for how many minutiae must match in the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) to identify a person based on fingerprint evidence?

Nope! Every police department sets their own number of minutiae.

What are the three most common fingerprint patterns?

Whorl, loop, arch

What is used to lift latent fingerprints on soft surfaces: powders or chemicals?

chemicals

What is used to lift latent fingerprints on smooth surfaces: powders or chemicals?

powders

List the three steps of identifying latent fingerprints.

Dust the fingerprint
Photograph the fingerprint
Lift the fingerprint

Why is anthropometry an inaccurate way of identifying a suspect?

More than one person could have the same bone length (ex: length from
ankle to knee) or the same birthmarks. We have people in our class who have the same birthmarks in the same spot as people they aren't even related to. Also, Ms. Samuel and her dad have the same exact birthmark on the same spot on their left knees. Although they are related, they are individual people so this is a terrible system of identifying individual people. Multiple people could have the same scar from having the same surgery such as open heart surgery or appendix removal. Most moms who had c-sections when their babies were born have the same scar.

Provide the real name of the Nightstalker. Then, describe his crimes. After this, explain how he was caught by authorities. Where were his fingerprints found?

Real name: Richard Munoz Ramirez
Crimes: Burglary, sexual assault of women, and murder of women and men
numerous times
How he got caught: his fingerprints were found on the mirror inside a car that he
stole

Name the three chemicals used to lift latent fingerprints. Are these chemicals used on smooth or soft surfaces?

Cyanoacrylate (superglue), ninhydrin, and iodine fuming

These are used on soft surfaces