Fingerprint Evidence

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to fingerprint evidence, their characteristics, types, identification systems, and development techniques.

Fingerprint

Individual characteristics that remain unchanged during a person’s lifetime and can be classified into specific patterns.

Plastic Fingerprints

Visible prints made when fingers touch or press against a material, creating an indentation or negative impression.

Patent Fingerprints

Visible prints that result from a foreign substance adhering to the ridge details of a finger.

Latent Fingerprints

Invisible prints that are formed from a small amount of grease, sweat, or dirt that require processing to be visualized.

IAFIS

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, used for comparing fingerprints against a national database.

NGI

Next Generation Identification, the successor to IAFIS incorporating advanced fingerprint and biometric identification technologies.

ACE-V

A four-step process for fingerprint examination: Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification.

Blood Print

A type of fingerprint that can be left at a crime scene when blood is present.

Adobe Photoshop

Software used for enhancing poor-quality fingerprint images while retaining the original details.

Elimination Fingerprints

Fingerprints collected from individuals who have legitimate access to a location to prevent misidentification.

Development Techniques

Methods used to visualize latent fingerprints, which may include powders, chemical treatments, or light sources.