Science of Personal Identification & Dactyloscopy Review

A set of 100 question-and-answer flashcards covering historical milestones, principles, anatomical skin features, minutiae, pattern types, classification formulas, and laboratory methods in Forensic Dactyloscopy.

Where was the earliest evidence of friction ridge detail on human hands and feet found?

In the 4000-year-old mummies of ancient Egypt.

Who was the first Chinese Emperor to use clay finger seals for sealing documents?

Emperor Te-In-Shi (246–210 B.C.).

What name did the Chinese use when referring to fingerprints in history?

Hua Chi

In early Chinese usage, what fingerprint patterns were referred to by the terms 'Lo' and 'Ki'?

'Lo' referred to Arches and Whorls (snail), and 'Ki' referred to Loops (Winnowing basket).

What was carved on the white jade seal devised by Emperor Te-In-Shi?

On one side was the name of the owner, and on the other side was the impression of the thumb.

Which Professor of Anatomy at the University of Bologna, Italy originated the term 'loops and spiral' and is known as the Grandfather of Dactyloscopy?

Marcelo Malpighi (1628–1694).

What was the significance of the paper published by J.C. Mayer in 1788?

It clearly addressed the individuality of friction ridges.

Who was known as the 'Father of Dactyloscopy' after publishing a thesis in 1823 classifying nine principal configuration groups of fingerprints?

Johannes E. Purkenje.

What are the nine principal configuration groups of fingerprints classified by Johannes E. Purkenje?

Transverse curve, Central longitudinal stria, Oblique stripe, Oblique loop, Almond whorl, Spiral whorl, Ellipse, Circle, and Double whorl.

Who proved that friction prints do not change over time by printing his own palms in 1856 and again after 41 years in 1897?

Herman Welcker.

Which English administrator proved that papillary ridge groupings remain constant from birth to death?

Sir William J. Herschel.

Who established the first Civil Bureau of Personal Identification in London, England, and stated that the probability of two identical prints is $1:64,000,000,000$?

Sir Francis Galton.

Who developed a workable system of classification that replaced Bertillonage in France and earned him the title 'Father of Modern Fingerprint'?

Sir Edward R. Henry.

Who was Dr. Henry Faulds and what contribution did he make to fingerprinting in 1877?

A surgeon at Tsukiji Hospital in Tokyo, Japan who noted the value of fingerprints in medico-legal studies and pointed out that friction ridges (rugae) never change.

Who was Juan Vucetich and what fingerprint classification milestone did he achieve in 1891?

An Argentine Police Official who developed a fingerprint classification system officially adopted in Spanish-speaking countries and initiated criminal fingerprinting.

What critical piece of evidence led Police Inspector Alvarez to solve the 1892 Francisca Rojas murder case in Necochea, Argentina?

A brown stain (bloody fingerprint) found on the bedroom door.

What was the Bertillon System, devised by Alphonse Bertillon in 1882?

A method of taking human body measurements and recording them on a card to classify and identify individuals.

What key event occurred in 1903 at Leavenworth Federal Prison that led to the decline of the Bertillon System in favor of fingerprinting?

The case of Will West and William West, two identical-looking inmates with the same name and Bertillon measurements.

What was the first judicial case in the United States to use fingerprints as a means of convicting a defendant?

People vs Jennings.

In which 1883 book by Mark Twain was a murderer identified using fingerprint identification?

Life on the Mississippi.

How was the first palm print identification in Nevada made in 1917 to convict Ben Kuhl?

From a bloody palm print left on a letter at the scene of a stagecoach robbery and murder.

Who advocated the first penal use of fingerprints, which was officially adopted at Sing-Sing Prison on June 5, 1903?

Capt. James I. Parke.

Who was Mary K. Holland?

The first American instructor in Dactyloscopy.

What was the title of Alfred Hale's 1952 Ph.D. thesis at Tulane University?

'Morphogenesis of the Volar Skin in the human fetus'.

Who is recognized as the 'Father of Poroscopy'?

Dr. Edmond Locard.

Which Zoology professor at Smith College studied monkey volar ridges in 1896 and published 'On the Disposition of the Epidermic Folds Upon the Palms and Soles of Primates'?

Harris Hawthorne Wilder.

Who theorized that there was a one-in-four chance of any two adults having the same height?

Adolphe Quetelet.

Who pioneered U.S. fingerprinting and instituted its first systematic use in the Civil Service Commission (CSC)?

Dr. Henry P. De Forest.

Who was Arthur Kollman?

The first researcher to address the formation of friction ridges on the human fetus.

Who first taught fingerprinting in the Philippine Constabulary in the year 1900?

Mr. Jones.

Who were the first male and female Fingerprint Technicians employed in the Philippines?

Generoso Reyes (first male) and Isabela Bernales (first female).

Who topped the first fingerprint examination in the Philippines in 1937, given by Capt. Thomas Dugan and Mr. Flaviano G. Guerrero?

Agustin Patricio.

What landmark Philippine ruling in 1933 established the leading judicial decision on fingerprint identification requiring 10 points of identity?

People of the Philippines Vs. Medina.

In Bilangawa vs Amador (1960), how many identical ridge points were successfully defended in court?

Eight (8) identical ridge points.

Which institution was the first government-recognized school in the Philippines to teach the Science of Fingerprint?

Plaridel Education Institution (Philippine College of Criminology).

What is the literal meaning and Greek origin of 'Dactyloscopy'?

Derived from 'Dactyl' (finger) and 'Skopien' (to study/examine), literally meaning the study of fingers.

What is Dactylomancy?

The study of fingerprints for the purpose of interpreting one's personality.

Define Edgeoscopy.

The study of the characteristics of the ridge edge for comparison purposes.

Define Ridgeology.

The study of Poroscopy, Edgeoscopy, and ridge characteristics for the purpose of positive fingerprint identification.

Define Poroscopy.

The study of sweat pores, derived from the Greek 'poros' (a pore) and 'skopien' (to examine).

What are Chiroscopy and Podoscopy?

Chiroscopy is the study of palm prints; Podoscopy is the study of sole prints (prints of the soles of the feet).

What are the three Dogmatic Principles of Fingerprint Identification?

1. Principle of Individuality/Uniqueness
2. Principle of Permanency/Constancy
3. Principle of Infallibility

What is Friction Skin?

An epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral/lower surface of the hands and feet covered with minute ridges and furrows and lacking pigment.

How do ridges and furrows appear in an inked fingerprint impression?

Ridges appear as black lines with tiny white dots (pores); furrows appear as white lines.

What are Dermal Papillae?

Irregular blunt pegs composed of delicate connective tissues that protrude and form the skin ridges, containing no melanin.

When do friction ridges begin to form during human fetal development?

During the 3rd to 4th month of fetal life (by the fourth month of pregnancy).

What effect do manual work (lime, cement) or skin diseases have on friction ridges?

They cause temporary destruction of the tissues, which ceases once the skin heals or exposure stops.

Do warts permanently destroy friction ridges?

No, warts are not permanent and when removed, ridges assume their natural condition without scarring.

How do ulcers, severe burns, and scars affect friction ridges?

Ulcers permanently destroy ridges by destroying sweat glands; severe burns leave scars that change skin appearance and destroy ridges; scars appear as thin white lines with puckered edges.

What are Latent Fingerprints?

Invisible prints formed by sweat and oil on surfaces that must be treated with chemicals or powders to become visible.

What are Plastic Fingerprints?

Molded or semi-visible prints formed by pressing fingers into soft materials like drying paint, putty, soap, or cheese.

What are Visible Fingerprints?

Fingerprints made by blood, ink, or other medium staining the fingers, easily visible to the unaided eye.

Define Type Lines in fingerprint patterns.

The two innermost ridges which start parallel, diverge, and surround or tend to surround the pattern area.

Define Delta in fingerprint identification.

The point on a ridge at or in front and nearest the center of the divergence of the type lines.

Define Core in fingerprint identification.

The focal point located within the innermost sufficient recurve of the pattern area.

According to Delta Rule 2, what is selected when there is a choice between a bifurcation and another type of delta?

The bifurcation is selected.

According to Core Rule 2, where is the core placed when the innermost sufficient recurve contains no ending ridge or rod as high as the shoulders?

On the shoulder of the loop further from the delta.

According to Core Rule 3, where is the core placed when the innermost recurve contains an uneven number of rods?

Upon the end of the center rod, whether it touches the looping ridge or not.

What are the three general pattern families and their population frequencies?

Arch ($5\%$), Loop ($60\%$), and Whorl ($35\%$).

What are the eight fingerprint pattern types in the Modified Henry System?

Plain Arch, Tented Arch, Radial Loop, Ulnar Loop, Plain Whorl, Central Pocket Loop Whorl, Double Loop Whorl, and Accidental Whorl.

What is the breakdown of pattern types within the Arch, Loop, and Whorl families?

Arch: Plain Arch ($60\%$), Tented Arch ($40\%$); Loop: Ulnar Loop ($94\%$), Radial Loop ($6\%$); Whorl: Plain Whorl ($71\%$), Central Pocket Loop ($13\%$), Double Loop Whorl ($13\%$), Accidental Whorl ($3\%$).

What is a Bifurcation?

A single ridge that divides into two ridges.

What is an Enclosure (Lake or Eyelet)?

A single ridge that bifurcates and reunites a short time after to form a single ridge.

What is a Short Ridge (Island)?

A ridge that starts, travels a short distance, and then ends.

What is a Dot in friction ridge minutiae?

An independent ridge with approximately equal length and width.

What is a Spur (Hook)?

A bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge.

What is a Crossover (Bridge)?

A short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.

What defines a Tented Arch pattern?

A pattern that possesses an angle, an upthrust, or two of the three basic characteristics of the loop.

What are the four types of Tented Arches?

1. Angular
2. Upthrust
3. Loop Type
4. Arbitrary Type

What are the technical requirements for an Upthrust type tented arch?

An ending ridge ending in space that angles $45^\circ$ or more from the base ridge and is as high as surrounding ridges are thick.

What are the three requisites of a Loop pattern?

1. Must have 1 delta
2. Must have a recurving ridge passing between delta and core
3. Must have a ridge count of at least one

What is the difference between a Radial Loop and an Ulnar Loop?

A Radial Loop flows toward the thumb side of the hand; an Ulnar Loop flows toward the little finger side.

What distinguishes a Plain Whorl from a Central Pocket Loop Whorl?

In a Plain Whorl, an imaginary line between the two deltas touches or crosses at least one circuiting ridge; in a Central Pocket Loop Whorl, no circuiting ridge is touched or crossed.

What are the elements of a Double Loop Whorl?

Two separate loop formations, two separate and distinct sets of shoulders, and two deltas.

What is an Accidental Whorl?

A pattern consisting of a combination of two different pattern types (except Plain Arch) with two or more deltas.

What is a Lateral Pocket pattern?

A pattern featuring a major overlying nutant loop with a second loop or tented arch in the pocket beneath, having two deltas on the same side.

What steps form the ACE-V method?

Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification.

What are the 3 Points of Identification for minutiae?

1. The same minutiae are present
2. Minutiae flow in the same direction
3. Minutiae occupy the same relative positions to each other

What symbols are assigned during blocking out for the fingerprint patterns?

Plain Arch = A, Tented Arch = T, Radial Loop = / or \, Ulnar Loop = \ or /, Plain Whorl = W, Central Pocket Loop = C, Double Loop = D, Accidental Whorl = X.

How are the 10 fingers numbered on a fingerprint card?

Right Hand: Thumb=1, Index=2, Middle=3, Ring=4, Little=5. Left Hand: Thumb=6, Index=7, Middle=8, Ring=9, Little=10.

What are the six main divisions of the Fingerprint Classification Formula?

Key, Major, Primary, Secondary, Sub-Secondary, Final.

How is Primary Classification calculated?

By summing the assigned numerical values of whorls in even-numbered fingers (numerators) plus 1, over the whorls in odd-numbered fingers (denominators) plus 1 ($1/1$ base).

What numerical values are assigned to whorls across the five finger pairs in Primary Classification?

Pair 1 (fingers 1-2) = 16 Pair 2 (fingers 3-4) = 8 Pair 3 (fingers 5-6) = 4 Pair 4 (fingers 7-8) = 2 Pair 5 (fingers 9-10) = 1

In Secondary Classification, what digits make up the Capital Letter Group and Small Letter Group?

Capital letters represent index fingers (2 and 7); small letters (a, t, r) represent plain arches, tented arches, or radial loops on non-index fingers.

Which fingers are included in Sub-secondary Classification, and what ridge counts represent Inner (I) vs. Outer (O) for Loops?

Index, Middle, and Ring fingers. Index: 1–9 = Inner, 10+ = Outer; Middle: 1–10 = Inner, 11+ = Outer; Ring: 1–13 = Inner, 14+ = Outer.

In Sub-secondary classification, how are Whorls represented?

As Inner (I), Meet (M), or Outer (O) determined by ridge tracing.

In Major Division, what fingers are evaluated and what is the left thumb loop scale for Small (S), Medium (M), and Large (L)?

Both thumbs (Right/Left). Left thumb loop counts: 1 to 11 = S, 12 to 16 = M, 17 or more = L.

How is Key Classification derived?

By counting the ridges of the first loop appearing on the card starting at the right thumb (excluding little fingers); always placed at the extreme left numerator.

How is Final Classification obtained?

By ridge counting the loop in the right little finger (or left little finger if right has no loop; or whorl count if no loops), placed at the extreme right.

How is a completely scarred fingerprint impression classified?

It is given both the general type value and sub-classification value of the corresponding finger of the other hand.

How are single or multiple amputated fingers classified?

Given identical classifications to the opposite fingers; if opposite fingers are both amputated, both are classified as whorls with meeting tracings.

What is the classification formula when all 10 fingers are amputated or missing at birth?

$$\frac{M\,32\,W\,MMM}{M\,32\,W\,MMM}$$

What are Polydactyly and Syndactyly?

Polydactyly is the presence of an extra finger or thumb at birth; Syndactyly is incomplete separation of digits causing skin or bone fusion.

What are the 4 types of congenital malformations of Dermatoglyphics?

1. Ridge Aplasia
2. Ridge Hypoplasia
3. Ridge Dysplasia
4. Ridge Off-the-end

Which types of fingerprint powders are used in latent print development and on what surfaces?

Oxides (painted/smooth surfaces, sensitive to moisture), Metallic (plated/polished surfaces like silver/chrome), Magnetic (non-ferrous surfaces), Combinations, and Fluorescents (multi-colored surfaces under ALS).

What chemical reagent reacts with amino acids in latent prints on paper or porous surfaces?

Ninhydrin.

What is DFO and how does its print yield compare to Ninhydrin?

DFO (1,8-Diazafluoren-9-One) is a Ninhydrin analog that develops $2\frac{1}{2}$ times as many prints as Ninhydrin alone on paper/cardboard.

What vapor methods are used to develop latent prints?

Iodine Fuming (reacts with greasy/oily/fatty residues) and Cyanoacrylate/superglue fuming (reacts with water in latent residues to form hard white ridges).

Identify this magnifying tool used by fingerprint experts for detailed pattern inspection.

Magnifying lens (Horse-Shoe Type).

What forensic optical equipment allows examiners to view and compare two fingerprint images side-by-side simultaneously?

Forensic Optical Comparator (e.g., FX8-B).