FINGERPRINTS

Arch

A fingerprint pattern in which the ridge pattern originates from one side of the print and continues to the other side

Biometrics

Uses measurements and statistical analyses of someone's physical characteristics to aid in their identification

Core

A center of a loop

Delta

A triangular ridge pattern created when ridge patterns diverge

Fingerprint

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

Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (LAFIS)

FBI-developed national database of more than 76 million criminal fingerprints and criminal histories

Latent fingerprint

A concealed fingerprint that is made visible through use of powders or forensic techniques

Loop

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

Minutiae

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

Patent fingerprint

A visible fingerprint produced when fingers coated with blood, ink, some, other substance touch a surface and transfer their print to the surface

Plastic fingerprint

A 3-D fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap, or putty Ridge

Count

The number of ridges between the center of a delta and the core of a loop

Ridge Pattern

The recognizable pattern of the ridges found in the end pads of fingers that form lines on the surfaces of objects in a fingerprint. They fall into 3 categories: arches, loops, and whorls. They are also visible on the palms of hands, soles of feet, and bottoms of toes

Ten print cord

A form used to record and preserve a person's fingerprints

Whorl

(plain whorl) a fingerprint pattern that resembles a bulls-eye