Fingerprint Analysis in Forensic Science

Biometric Identifiers

Unique physical features for individual identification.

Pattern Matching

Comparison of patterns in forensic disciplines.

Class Characteristics

Traits that categorize items into distinct classes.

Successive Classification

Categorizing an item into multiple classifications.

Friction Ridge Skin

Outer skin layer containing fingerprint patterns.

Unique Fingerprint Characteristics

Fingerprints are unique and lifelong identifiers.

Basic Fingerprint Patterns

Includes arches, loops, and whorls.

Fingerprint Minutiae

Specific features within fingerprint patterns.

Ending Ridge

Minutiae where a ridge ends abruptly.

Bifurcation

Minutiae where a ridge splits into two.

Island

Two opposing bifurcations forming a feature.

Henry System

Fingerprint classification system for 10-print sets.

ACE-V Methodology

Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification process.

AFIS

Automated Fingerprint Identification System database.

Patent Print

Visible print needing no enhancement.

Plastic Print

Recognizable indentation requiring no processing.

Latent Print

Undetectable print needing enhancement for visibility.

Eccrine Glands

Sweat glands producing watery sweat for prints.

Apocrine Glands

Sweat glands producing organic molecule-rich sweat.

Powder Dusting

Applying fine particles to enhance fingerprints.

Iodine Fuming

Sublimation process creating brownish fingerprint appearance.

Ninhydrin

Chemical that reacts with amino acids in prints.

Cyanoacrylate Treatment

Super glue fume method for enhancing prints.

Oblique Lighting

Lighting technique for enhancing fingerprint visibility.