Forensics Chapter 6 Fingerprints

Alphonse Bertillion

The first systematic attempt at personal identification was devised by this French police expert.

Anthropometry

A system of precise body measurements used in the Bertillion system for personal identification.

Francis Galton

Published the textbook 'Finger Prints' in 1892, which influenced the British government to adopt fingerprinting.

Fingerprinting

A method of personal identification that became popular as a supplement to the Bertillion system.

Dr. Juan Vucetich

Devised a classification system for fingerprints used in most Spanish-speaking countries.

Sir Edward Henry

Developed a classification system for fingerprints that is widely used in English-speaking countries.

Will West incident

An event in 1903 that highlighted the inability of the Bertillion system to distinguish between two individuals.

Fingerprint individuality

A characteristic of fingerprints, meaning no two fingerprints have been found to be identical.

Minutiae

The ridge characteristics that provide individuality to a fingerprint.

Dermal papillae

The layer of cells that determines the form and pattern of ridges on the skin's surface.

Latent fingerprints

Invisible prints left on a surface when a finger touches it, containing body perspiration and oils.

Visible prints

Prints made when fingers touch a surface after contact with colored materials like blood or ink.

Super Glue fuming

A method of developing latent prints on nonporous surfaces by adhering fumes to the print.

Ninhydrin

A chemical that reacts with amino acids in latent prints to produce a purple-blue color.

ACE-V

A four-step process for fingerprint identification: Analysis, Comparison, Identification, Verification.

Physical Developer

A silver-nitrate-based reagent used to develop prints on porous objects that may have been wet.

Digital imaging

The process of converting a picture into a digital file for enhanced analysis, particularly for fingerprints.

Ridge pattern

The general shape or arrangement of fingerprint ridges that helps in classification.

Fingerprint patterns

Divided into three classes: loops, arches, and whorls.