unit 3:Understanding Fingerprints and Their Identification

Flashcards covering key concepts of fingerprint identification, including types of fingerprints, properties, and historical context.

Fingerprint

An imprint created by the pattern of ridges and grooves on the skin of fingertips, used for personal identification.

Individual Evidence

Evidence that can uniquely identify a person, such as fingerprints.

Latent Fingerprints

Fingerprints that are not visible to the naked eye and require special techniques for development.

Plastic Fingerprints

Three-dimensional fingerprints left in a soft material, such as wax or clay.

Visible Fingerprints

Fingerprints that are left on a surface and can be seen without any enhancement.

Minutiae

The unique characteristics of a fingerprint, including ridge endings and bifurcations, used to establish individual identity.

Eccrine Glands

Sweat glands that primarily secrete water and are critical for the formation of fingerprints.

Apocrine Glands

Glands that secrete pheromones and organic materials, contributing to the composition of fingerprints.

Whorl

A fingerprint pattern characterized by at least one complete circuit of ridges; classified by the number of deltas.

Loop

A fingerprint pattern where ridges enter on one side and exit on the same side; identified as ulnar or radial.

Arch

A fingerprint pattern where ridges enter on one side and exit on the other, rising upward in the center.

Ten Card

A card used for collecting fingerprints in the criminal justice system, displaying an individual's fingerprints.

Sir Francis Galton

The scientist who published the first book on fingerprints in 1892, detailing their individuality.

Sir Edward Henry

The developer of the first fingerprint classification system in 1901.

Friction Ridges

The raised portions of the skin on the fingertips that create unique patterns for fingerprints.