Forensic Science CH6

What are patent fingerprints?

Visible fingerprints left on a smooth surface when blood, ink, or some other liquid is transferred.

Are patent fingerprints caused by the transfer of oils and other body secretions?

No, that describes latent fingerprints.

What causes latent fingerprints?

The transfer of skin onto a surface.

Did John Dillinger successfully alter his fingerprints?

No, he burned his fingertips with a torch but did not successfully alter them.

How quickly can a computer carry out fingerprint matching?

In a matter of seconds.

Who verified that fingerprints do not change with age?

Sir Francis Galton.

What percent of latent prints at a crime scene come from the palm or side of the hand?

20-30%.

What type of fingerprint are actual indentations left in soft material?

Plastic fingerprints.

In Pudd'nhead Wilson, what does Mark Twain refer to?

Fingerprints as forensic evidence.

When was the earliest western record of studying patterns on human hands?

1684.

Who began fingerprint collection in 1856?

Sir William Herschel.

Who created the identification system in Paris in 1879?

Alphonse Bertillon.

In which countries is the fingerprint classification system developed by Galton and Henry still used?

The United States and Europe.

On what basis did Sir Edmund Richard Henry group fingerprints?

All of these choices (arch, whorl, loop).

Where do fingerprint imprints consist of sweat gland secretions?

In the friction ridge of the skin.

During which week of gestation are fingerprints formed?

10th week.

Which type of loop opens toward the little finger?

Ulnar loop.

What types of fingerprint whorl patterns exist?

All of these choices (plain whorl, central pocket loop whorl, double loop whorl).

What types of fingerprint arches exist?

Plain and tented arches.

What are unique ridge patterns that allow positive fingerprint identification called?

Minutiae.

What chemical is used purely for developing fingerprints on paper?

Ninhydrin.

Who first studied fingerprints left by artists?

Peter Paul Biro.

What can trace substances on fingerprints reveal about donors?

More than just their identities.

In a 1995 test, what percentage of fingerprint examiners made at least one false identification?

One in five.

How many individual ridge characteristics are there on the average full fingerprint?

About 150.