Untitled Flashcards Set

Anthropometry: A system of identification devised by Alphonse Bertillon using detailed descriptions, photographs, and body measurements.

Francis Galton: Published the textbook "Finger Prints" in 1892, leading to the adoption of fingerprinting in criminal identification.

Dr. Juan Vucetich: Developed a fingerprint classification system used primarily in Spanish-speaking countries.

Sir Edward Henry: Developed the fingerprint classification system adopted by most English-speaking countries.

Will West Incident: A case in 1903 where fingerprinting distinguished two individuals that anthropometry could not, significantly promoting fingerprint use.

Fingerprint: Reproduction of friction skin ridges found on the palm side of fingers and thumbs.

Principle #1: Fingerprints are individual characteristics; no two fingerprints have identical ridge characteristics.

Minutiae: Ridge characteristics of a fingerprint, such as bifurcations, ridge endings, dots, and enclosures.

Principle #2: Fingerprints remain unchanged throughout an individual's lifetime.

Dermal Papillae: Layer between epidermis and dermis determining fingerprint ridge patterns.

Latent Fingerprints: Invisible fingerprints formed by perspiration and oils transferred to a surface.

Principle #3: Fingerprints can be systematically classified into loops, arches, and whorls.

Loops: Fingerprint patterns with ridges entering from one side, recurving, and exiting the same side; includes radial and ulnar loops.

Whorls: Fingerprint patterns divided into plain whorl, central pocket loop, double loop, and accidental.

Delta: Ridge point nearest the divergence of two type lines in fingerprint loops and whorls.

Core: Approximate center of a fingerprint loop pattern.

Arches: Least common fingerprint patterns, divided into plain and tented arches, lacking deltas, cores, and type lines.

Fingerprint Identification Process: Includes analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification (ACE-V).

Levels of Fingerprint Comparison:

• Level 1: General ridge flow and pattern configuration.

• Level 2: Ridge characteristics or minutiae.

• Level 3: Ridge pores, breaks, creases, scars, and permanent minutiae.

Primary Classification (Henry System): Assigns numerical values based on whorl patterns to classify fingerprints systematically.

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS): Scanning system converting fingerprint images into digital minutiae for computerized searching.

IAFIS: FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, now integrated into the NGI system.

Visible Prints: Fingerprints left when fingers touch a surface after contacting colored materials like blood or ink.

Plastic Prints: Ridge impressions left in soft materials like putty or wax.

Super Glue Fuming: Cyanoacrylate ester chemical technique to develop latent fingerprints on nonporous surfaces.

Alternate Light Sources: High-intensity lights used to visualize latent fingerprints through fluorescence.

Chemical Methods for Porous Surfaces:

• Iodine Fuming: Temporary visualization using iodine vapor.

• Ninhydrin: Reacts with amino acids producing purple-blue prints.

• Physical Developer: Silver nitrate-based chemical for developing prints when other methods fail or the object was wet.

Fingerprint Preservation: Methods include photography, lifting with adhesive tape, and transporting small objects intact.

Digital Imaging: Converts fingerprint images into digital files, allowing enhancement and comparative analysis using specialized software.