Forensic fingerprints

friction ridge

raised skin found on fingers, palms, soles and toes

loop

one or more ridges entering and exiting the same side

arch

ridges enter from one side and exit on the other side

whorl

ridge spirals that go completely around. has at least 2 deltas and 1 core

minutiae

specific points where ridges end, divide or intersect

plastic print

a three dimensional forensic impression left when a finger, palm or shoe is pressed into a soft moldable surface

visible/patent prints

prints that can be seen with a naked eye

latent print

an invisible impression left on the surface that need to be extracted with chemicals

AFIS/IAFIS

automatic finger identification system/integrated automated fingerprint identification system

Ninhydrin

used in forensics to detect amino acids in fingerprints and produces a deep purple dye.

Iodine fuming

used in forensics to develop fingerprints primarily on paper and cardboard

cyanoacrylate fuming

superglue that is used to develop fingerprints on non porous surfaces like glass, plastic and metal

alternative light source (ALS)

high intensity light waves that reveal hidden evidence or fingerprints at a crime scene