Chapter 6 (Fingerprints)

When did the admissibility of fingerprints as scientific evidence occur?

1999

With the admissibility of fingerprints as scientific evidence, what did they rule?

(1) human friction ridges are unique and permanent

(2) human friction ridge skin arrangements are unique and permanent.

What country used fingerprint to to sign legal documents over 3000 years ago?

China (Chinese)

Who proposed three major patterns of fingerprints?

Galton (1892)

What are the three major (general) patterns of fingerprints?

Arch

Loop

Whorl

Who devised a classification system, mostly used in South America.

Dr. Juan Vucetich (1891)

Who proposed a classification system, today a version of this system is used.

Sir Edward Richard Henry (1897)

What are the Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints?

First principle: A fingerprint is an Individual Characteristic; No two fingers have yet been found to possess identical ridge characteristics.

Second Principle: A Fingerprint remains unchanged during an individual’s lifetime.

Third principle: Fingerprints have general ridge patterns that permit them to be systematically classified.

Ridge characteristics are also called?

Minutiae

The identity, number, and location of characteristics impart individuality to a fingerprint (T/F)

True

What do scientists use to identify two fingerprints as the same?

Ridge comparisons

In early development, what determined the form and pattern of the ridges on the surface of the skin.

Dermal papillae

Which fingerprint is this?

Arch

Which fingerprint is this?

Loop

Which fingerprint is this?

Whorl

What are the ridge characteristics?

Ending ridge

Fork (Bifurcation)

Island ridge (Short ridge)

Dot (Very short ridge)

Bridge

Spur (Hook)

Eye (Enclosure or Island)

Double bifurcation

Delta

Trifurcation

Which ridge line is this?

Fork (Bifurcation)

Which ridge line is this?

Ending ridge

Which ridge line is this?

Dot (Very short ridge)

Which ridge line is this?

Island ridge (Short ridge)

Which ridge line is this?

Spur (Hook)

Which ridge line is this?

Bridge

Which ridge line is this?

Double bifurcation

Which ridge line is this?

Eye (Enclosure or Island)

Which ridge line is this?

Trifurcation

Which ridge line is this?

Delta

What are the 3 forms of prints (Kinds of prints)?

Latent (Invisible prints)

Patent (visible prints)

Plastic (ridge impressions): left on a soft surface like putty, chocolate or wax.

What are the methods of detecting prints?

Fingerprint powders

Superglue (cyanoacrylate)

Describe the Fingerprint Powder method

Available in different colors

Applied lightly over latent prints

The oils or perspiration from the skin adheres to the powder.

Good for many surfaces, paper, glass, metals.

• Can also use magnetic brush and powder
• Can use florescent powders
• Can use many types of colors for differentiating with busy backgrounds.

What can you use for the Superglue (cyanoacrylate) method?

Non-porous surfaces (Glass, metal and plastics)