Fingerprint Analysis: Techniques, Patterns, and Identification Methods

How has modern technology improved fingerprint analysis?

Quick comparison with national databases

Fingerprints are considered what type of evidence?

Individual evidence

What civilization first used fingerprints?

Ancient China

Who first said fingerprints are unique?

Johann Christoph Andreas Mayer

What system was replaced in 1902?

Bertillon system

What are friction ridges?

Raised skin on fingers

When do fingerprints form?

Around 10th week of gestation

What fingerprint type is invisible?

Latent

What is the most common fingerprint pattern?

Loop

What is the first step before lifting a print?

Photograph it

How are latent prints collected?

Dusting with powder

What is an arch fingerprint pattern?

Ridges go in one side and out the other

What is biometrics?

Using body measurements to identify people

What is the core in fingerprint analysis?

Center of a loop

What is a delta in fingerprint analysis?

Triangle area where ridges split

What is a fingerprint?

Ridge pattern left on a surface

What does IAFIS stand for?

FBI fingerprint database system

What is a latent fingerprint?

Hidden print not visible

What is a loop pattern?

Ridges enter, curve, exit same side

What are minutiae?

Small ridge details used for matching

What is a patent fingerprint?

Visible print (blood, ink, dirt)

What is a plastic fingerprint?

3D print in soft material

What is ridge count?

Number of ridges between core and delta

What is ridge pattern?

Overall fingerprint design

What is a ten-print card?

Record of all 10 fingerprints

What is a whorl in fingerprint analysis?

Circular or spiral pattern