Forensic Science Chap 6 FingerPrints

fingerprint

an impression left on any surface that consists of patterns made by the ridges on a finger

arch

a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates from one side of the print and leaves from the other side

whorl

a fingerprint pattern that resembles a bull''s-eye

loop

a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern flows inward and returns in the direction of the origin

core

a center of a loop or whorl

delta

a triangular ridge pattern with ridges that go in different directions above and below a triangle

Friction Ridges

The elevated regions in a fingerprint.

ridge pattern

the recognizable pattern of the ridges found in the end joints of fingers that form lines on the surfaces of objects in a fingerprint. They fall into three categories: arches, loops, and whorls

Ridge Count

# of ridges between the core and center of delta

minutiae

the combination of details in the shapes and positions of ridges in fingerprints that make each unique; also called ridge characteristics

patent fingerprint

a visible fingerprint that happens when fingers with blood, ink, or some other substance on them touch a surface and transfer the pattern of their fingerprint to that surface

plastic fingerprint

a three-dimensional fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap, or putty

latent fingerprint

a hidden fingerprint made visible through the use of powders or other techniques

IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System)

a national database that holds more than 76 million fingerprint, identifying mark, and criminal history records.

Book in which Mark Twain somehow solved case using fingerprints (before people were using in real life)?

1894: "Pudd'nhead Wilson"

True or False: in 1792 BC fingerprints were pressed into clay tablet contracts?

true

In 1684, who described the patterns he saw on human hands.

Dr. Nehemiah Grew

In 1788, who described fingerprints are unique to each individual.

Dr. Johann Christoph Andreas Mayer

In 1823, who described 9 distinct fingerprint patterns.

Jan Purkyn

In 1826, who began collecting fingerprints.

Sir William Herschel

In 1879, whon created a way to identify criminals that were repeat offenders.

Alphonse Bertillon

In 1888, who verified that fingerprints do not change with age.

Sir Francis Galton

In 1896, who created a system that divided fingerprint records into groups. Their work was the basis of the 10 card.

Sir Edmund Richard Henry

In 2012, the IAFIS system had more than ____ million computerized fingerprints.

76

In 2013, The FBI was integrating the ability to compare crime-scene _____ prints.

palm (about 20-30% of lalent prints come from palm or side of hand)

Fingerprints are formed at the beginning of ____ week of gestation.

10th

The development of fingerprints happens in the ______ layer of skin.

basal

Fingerprints are protected by the outer layer of ________.

epidermis

3 basic fingerprint ridge patterns occur: Arches __%, Whorls __% and Loops __%

arches 5%

whorls 30%

loops 65%

3 types of fingerprints: Patent or ______, Plastic or ________ and Latent or _______ _________.

(They are characterized as loops, whorls, or arches, and are compared on the basis of their minutiae.)

Patent = visible

Plastic = indentation

Latent = not-visible (to unaided eye)

Fingerprints left on an object are created by the naturally occurring ridges in the skin of fingertips and __________ from sweat glands that leave small amounts of oils and salts when the ridges are pressed against an object

secretions

TRUE OR FALSE: Attempts at permanent fingerprint alteration have NOT been successful.

true

Mistakes in fingerprint analysis have led to wrongful convictions, mostly because of _______ ________.

human error

Fingerprints can be collected from surfaces (2) ways:

1). by dusting them with certain powders and impressing them on tape, or 2). putting them into contact with certain chemicals that help reveal the fingerprints.