Fingerprints Bertino Forensic Science Chapter 6

fingerprint

an impression left on any surface that consists of patterns made by the ridges on a finger

arch fingerprint

a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates from one side of the print and leaves from the other side

whorl fingerprint

a fingerprint pattern that resembles a bull''s-eye

loop fingerprint

a fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern flows inward and returns in the direction of the origin

core

Center of a loop or whorl

delta

a triangular ridge pattern with ridges that go in different directions above and below a triangle

ridge pattern

the recognizable pattern of the ridges found in the end joints of fingers that form lines on the surfaces of objects in a fingerprint. They fall into three categories: arches, loops, and whorls

Ridge Count

# of ridges between the core and center of delta

minutiae

the combination of details in the shapes and positions of ridges in fingerprints that make each unique; also called ridge characteristics

patent fingerprint

a visible fingerprint that happens when fingers with blood, ink, or some other substance on them touch a surface and transfer the pattern of their fingerprint to that surface

plastic fingerprint

a three-dimensional fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap, or putty

latent fingerprint

a hidden fingerprint made visible through the use of powders or other techniques

IAFIS (Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System)

a national database that holds more than 76 million fingerprint, identifying mark, and criminal history records.

Fingerprints are formed at the beginning of ____ week of gestation.

10th

The development of fingerprints happens in the ______ layer of skin.

basal

Fingerprints are protected by the outer layer of ________.

epidermis

Fingerprints left on an object are created by the naturally occurring ridges in the skin of fingertips and __________ from sweat glands that leave small amounts of oils and salts when the ridges are pressed against an object

secretions

TRUE OR FALSE: Attempts at permanent fingerprint alteration have NOT been successful.

true

TRUE OR FALSE: Mistakes in fingerprint analysis have led to wrongful convictions, mostly because of computer error

false

Fingerprints can be collected from surfaces (2) ways:

1). by dusting them with certain powders and impressing them on tape, or 2). putting them into contact with certain chemicals that help reveal the fingerprints.