Forensics Chapter 6 Vocab fingerprints

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental terminology, fingerprint pattern types, impression categories, and forensic identification systems.

Plastic fingerprint

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

Ridge count

The number of ridges between the center of the Delta and the core of the loop.

Ridge pattern

The recognizable pattern of the ridges found in the end pads of fingers that form lines on the surfaces of objects in a fingerprint; they fall into three categories (arches, loops, and whorls) and are also visible on the soles of feet and bottoms of toes.

Ten Print card

A form used to record and preserve a person's fingerprints.

Whorl (plain whorl)

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

Arch

A fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates from one side of the print and continues to the other side.

Biometrics

Uses measurements and statistical analyses of someone's physical characteristics to aid in their identification.

Core

A center of a loop.

Delta

A triangular ridge pattern created when ridge patterns diverge.

Fingerprint

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

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS)

An FBI-developed national database of more than 76 million criminal fingerprints and criminal histories.

Latent fingerprint

A concealed fingerprint that is made visible through the use of powders or forensics techniques.

Loop

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

Minutiae

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

Patent fingerprint

A visible fingerprint produced when fingers coated with blood, ink, or some other substance touch a surface and transfer their print to that surface.