Chapter 6: Fingerprints

The first systematic attempt at personal identification was devised and introduced by .

Alphonse Bertillon

A system of identification relying on precise body measurements is known as .

Bertillon system (Bertillonage)

The fingerprint classification system used in most English-speaking countries was devised by .

Sir Edward Henry

True or False: The first systematic and official use of fingerprints for personal identification in the United States was adopted by the New York City Civil Service Commission.

True

The individuality of a fingerprint (is, is not) determined by its pattern.

Is not

A point-by-point comparison of a fingerprint's must be demonstrated in order to prove identity.

Minutiae

are a reproduction of friction skin ridges.

Fingerprints

The form and pattern of skin ridges are determined by the (epidermis, dermal papillae).

Dermal papillae

A permanent scar forms in the skin only when an injury damages the .

Dermal papillae

Fingerprints (can, cannot) be changed during a person's lifetime.

Cannot

The three general patterns into which fingerprints are divided are , , and .

Loops, Whorls, and Arches

The most common fingerprint pattern is the .

Loop

Approximately 5 percent of the population has the fingerprint pattern.

Arch

A loop pattern that opens toward the thumb is known as a(n) (radial, ulnar) loop.

Radial loop

The pattern area of the loop is enclosed by two diverging ridges known as .

Type lines

The ridge point nearest the type-line divergence is known as the .

Delta

All loops must have (one, two) delta(s).

One

The approximate center of a loop pattern is called the .

Core

If an imaginary line drawn between the two deltas of a whorl pattern touches any of the spiral ridges, the pattern is classified as a (plain whorl, central pocket loop).

Plain whorl

The simplest of all fingerprint patterns is the .

Plain arch

Arches (have, do not have) type lines, deltas, and cores.

Do not have

ACE-V is an acronym for a four step process: , , , and .

Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, and Verification

True or False: Level 2 details cannot individualize a fingerprint.

False

The presence or absence of the pattern is used as a basis for determining the primary classification in the Henry system.

Whorl

The largest category (25 percent) in the primary classification system is (1/1, 1/2).

1/1

A fingerprint classification system (can, cannot) unequivocally identify an individual.

Cannot

True or False: Computerized fingerprint search systems match prints by comparing the position of bifurcations and ridge endings.

True

A fingerprint left by a person with soiled or stained fingertips is called a(n) .

Patent fingerprint

fingerprints are impressions left on a soft material.

Plastic

Fingerprint impressions that are not readily visible are called .

Latent fingerprints

Fingerprints on hard and nonabsorbent surfaces are best developed by the application of a(n) .

Fingerprint powder

Fingerprints on porous surfaces are best developed with treatment.

Ninhydrin

vapors chemically combine with fatty oils or residual water to visualize a fingerprint.

Superglue (cyanoacrylate)

The chemical visualizes fingerprints by its reaction with amino acids.

Ninhydrin

Chemical treatment with visualizes fingerprints on porous articles that may have been wet at one time.

Physical Developer

True or False: A latent fingerprint is first treated with Physical Developer followed by ninhydrin.

False

A chemical technique known as is used to develop latent prints on nonporous surfaces such as metal and plastic.

Cyanoacrylate fuming

occurs when a substance absorbs light and reemits the light in wavelengths longer than the illuminating source.

Fluorescence

High-intensity light sources known as are effective in developing latent fingerprints.

Alternate light sources (ALS)

Once a fingerprint has been visualized, it must be preserved by .

Photography

The image produced from a digital file is composed of numerous square electronic dots called .

Pixels

A (high-pass filter, frequency Fourier transform analysis) is used to identify repetitive patterns such as lines or dots that interfere with the interpretation of a digitized fingerprint image.

Frequency Fourier transform analysis