Unit IV readable prints will be developed without staining the

TECHNIQUE IN TAKING FINGERPRINTS fingers of the subject.

A. FINGERPRINT LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

B. Two Type of Prints Found in a Fingerprint Card
1. Ink Roller- refers to an instrument used for spreading the 1. Rolled Impression = is an impression made or placed
ink into the glass slab. in the fingerprint card taken individually by rolling the
2. Ink Slab- a piece of metal or a plane glass with as much as ten fingers of the subject 180 degrees from tip to the
¼ thick and 6 or more inches long where the fingerprint ink second joints.
is distributed for fingerprinting. 2. Plain Impression = is an impression made
3. Card Holder- refers to a gadget used for clipping the simultaneously that serves as a reference impression.
fingerprint card to avoid movement of the card during
printing. C. Purpose of the Plain Impression
4. Fingerprint Ink- refers to a specially manufactured ink for 1. To serve as a guide in checking the rolled impression,
purposes of taking fingerprints. A printer’s ink is sometimes whether or not the rolled impression was properly
used as substitute. placed on their respective boxes.
5. Magnifying Glass- refers to an instrument used for 2. To check on the ridge characteristics of the pain
examination of developed prints: impression, if the rolled impression is somewhat faint
or indistinct due to the bad condition of the friction skin
Two common types of Magnifying lenses: either temporary or permanently deteriorated or in
a. Linen Tester- it has an opening that is one-inch square, case of a doubtful or questionable print.
with focus, and which can be folded and carried in the 3. To check the minute details of the ridge characteristics
pocket when necessary. for purposes of classification and identification.
b. Bausch & Lamb Magnifier- (also known as Horse Shoe
Magnifier) a magnifying glass with a built- in stand and an D. Scientific way of Taking Finger Prints
adjustable lens to suit the visual sight of the examiner. 1. Prepare the Set-up for printing (e.g. the table, the ink
slab, the rolled, the fingerprint card the card holder
6. Fingerprint Powders- refers to the powder used in and the ink.
developing latent prints found in the scene of crime; they 2. Clean the inking slab thoroughly before spreading the
are normally found in two: the black and the white or gray, ink.
which is applied depending upon the contrasting 3. Place a small amount of fingerprint ink on each side of
background. the slab and in the center, and then start spreading
7. Fingerprint Brushes- refers to an instrument used for the ink using the roller back and forth until the ink is
powdering latent prints. There are three variation of evenly distributed.
brushes used: the fiberglass, magnetic and feather type. 4. To check whether or not the ink was spread properly
8. Fingerprint lifting tapes = Refers to tapes used for lifting of or whether it is enough or not, try to print one of your
developed latent prints which is quite harder than an fingers or put the slab near the light and if brownish
ordinary tapes. It has three varieties: the frosted rubber and reflection is observed it means you have a good in to
transparent. be used.
9. Latent Prints Transfer Cards = Refers to a card used in 5. Place the fingerprint card on the card holder properly
preserving lifted latent prints which is either white or black to ensure that proper entry will be easy.
in background. 6. Check the hands of the subject: Make sure that it is
10. Fingerprint Cards = Refers to a piece of card used for clean and dry. If it is perspiring freely, wipe them off
recording the term fingerprint for comparison. The usual with a soft, clean cloth dampened with alcohol.
size is 8”x8”. 7. The technicians should stand at the left of the subject
11. Flash light = Refers to a device used for searching and in taking the right hand impression and take the right
focusing on developed latent prints. side in taking the left hand impression of the subject.
12. Roller or Tape Measure = a roll tape used in measuring a 8. Subject should be instructed to stand straight but
crime sketch. relax and not to assist the technician in rolling his
13. Pair of forceps = refers to an instrument used for picking up finger. Subject should be standing not too closer or
objects or taking evidence which should not be touched. too far facing the ink slab.
14. Grasp Paper = used for sketching purposes such as latent 9. In taking the rolled impression, technician should
prints location, indicating measurements and exact location place first the right thumb to be rolled towards the
of objects. body of the subject while the other finger not in use is
15. Evidence Identification Tapes or Tag = used to identify either folded or close then ink the remaining fingers
objects or physical evidence. (Index, middle, ring and little finger) and roll it away
16. Scissors = refers to a simple instrument for cutting latent from the body of the subject. Make sure to roll the
print tapes and for other purpose. finger from the tip down to the beginning of the next
17. Rubber Gloves = to protect the technician’s fingers from joint, and from one side of the nail to the other (18
leaving his own prints on the object or on the scene. degrees).
18. Post-Mortem Fingerprint Equipment = Refers to a set of 10. The same should be done in the left hand only that the
equipment consisting of hypodermis syringe, spoon, tissue technician will turn to the right of the subject.
builder solvent, and tissue cleaner, among others. It is used 11. Apply only moderate amount of pressure in printing
for taking the prints of dead persons. subject’s fingers to avoid blurred prints but hold the
19. Carrying Case = Refers to a box-like structure or an subject’s hand firmly so as to prevent pulling that may
attaché used for carrying necessary equipment at the cause smeared impression.
scene of the crime. 12. To obtain the plain impression, all the fingers of the
20. Inkless Inking Device = refers to a porelon pad, sensitized right upon inking plate, then press simultaneously
fingerprint card purpose that is used in order not to stain upon the lower right hand of the card and do the same
the fingers. The finger is touched to the inkless pad and to the left hand.
then to the sensitized card and instantly permanent
E. Problems in Recording Inked Fingerprint

1
 Final Division – re4preesented by number value as a result of ridge
1. Temporary Deformities counting both whorl and loop of the little finger.
Occupation al Problems such as acid workers, plasters, Key Division – represented by numerical value resulting from the first
cement mixers, assembly workers in electrical appliance ridge counted loop.
plan. In such case the ridges are not exactly destroyed, but
they weaken the prints.
2. Permanent Disabilities THE CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
One permanent disability is in the case of an amputated
finger. In such cases, proper notation of the exact blocks Primary Division
where the amputated fingers are to be recorded should be This is the sum of all numerical value assigned to whorl appearing in
made. In the case of a person without fingers at birth, it the fingerprint card expressed as numerator and denominator plus
should be noted “missing fingers at birth” or born without (=) the pre-established fraction of 1/1 to complete the primary
fingers.” If fingers are extremely crippled, broken or division. It is that division of the fingerprint classification that is always
disabled, proper notation should be made. And in some represented by a numerical value.
cases, the recorder should make use of some inking
devices such as spatula, the roller and a curve cad strip Step to be followed:
holder to take the prints. This is usually applied in taking
post-mortem fingerprints.  Look for the whorl patterns only.
3. Deformities  Pairing of the ten (10) finger print impression into five (5)
In this situation, one frequent problem is that a case of a groups that is:
person with extra fingers. In which case, the extra fingers Pair 1 Right thumb and right index (FINGER 1 AND 2)
should be recorded at the back of the card with the Pair 2 Right middle and right ring (FINGER 3 AND 4)
necessary natation. In case of two thumbs, the inner thumb Pair 3 right little and left thumb (FINGER 5 AND 6)
should be used for purposes of classification. In the case of Pair 4 Left index and left middle (FINGER 7 AND 8)
a webbed finger, the recorded just simply recorded finger Pair 5 Left ring and left little (FINGER 9 AND 10)
together.
 Assigning of Numerical Value:
(1) Patterns with numerical value = All Whorls such as plain,
UNIT 5 central double and accidental whorl
CLASSIFICATION OF FINGERPRINTS (2) Patterns without numerical value = The loops (radical and
Ulnar) and the Arch (plain and tended arch).
A. PRIMARY TO CLASSIFICATION OF PRINTS Pair 1 = 16 pair 4 = 2
Pair 2 = 8 pair 5 = 1
1. Check whether the rolled fingerprint impressions were Pair 3 = 4
affixed in their proper place in the fingerprint chart  Determining the numerators and the denominators.
using the plain impression as the guide. (1) Numerators are fingers with even numbers such as 2, 4, 6,
2. Blocking the fingerprint- is the process of writing below 8, 10.
each pattern to corresponding symbols of the (2) Denominators are fingers with odd numbers such as 1, 3,
fingerprints in the space provided for each pattern. 5, 7, 9.
 Sum all the numerators and denominators numerical value
Symbols of fingerprint patterns plus the pre-established fraction of 1/1 to complete the
primary division.
Plain Arch --------A Tented Arch --------T
Radial Loop -- (\) for left hand Plain Whorl --------W Illustration of the Preparation for the Primary Division
(/) for right hand Central Pocket Loop ---C Right Finger 2 Right Finger 4 Right little
Ulnar Loop -- (/) for left hand Double Loop Whorl ---D Thumb (16) middle (8)
(\) for right hand Accidental Whorl -- ---X Finger 5
Finger 1 Right Finger 3 Right Ring (4)
Example of Blocking: (16) Index (8)
Plain Ulnar loop Radial Double Central Finger 6 Left Index Finger 8 Left Ring Finger 10
whorl loop loop whorl Pocket (4) (2) (1)
loop whorl Finger 7 Finger 9
W \ / W W Left thumb (2) Left (1) Left Little
Middle
Plain Accidental Tented Plain Double
Arch whorl Arch whorl Loop
A X T W W Example:
Plain Finger 2 (16) Radial Finger 4 Central
Whorl Loop (8) Pocket
B. THE FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICTION FORMULA Ulnar Loop Loop
Finger 1 Finger 3 Double Whorl
The fingerprint Classification Formula is composed of the following (16) (8) Loop
Divisions: whorl Finger 5
(4)
Primary Division – represented by numerical value W \ / W W
Secondary Division – consisting of the Capital and small letters. Finger 6 Accidental Finger 8 Plain Finger 10
Sub Secondary Division – is the product of ridge counting and ridge (4) Whorl (2) Whorl (1)
tracing resulting to the I, M O. System
Major Division – just the same a the sub-secondary and it only differs Plain Finger 7 (2) Tented Finger 9 Double
in the ridge counting resulting to S, M, L system but Whorl tracing Arch Arch (1) Loop
remains the same the I, M, O. System
2
 A X T W W
Primary

1 O+ 8+0+0+ 1 10 Primary
P= + =¿
1 16+ 0+4 +2+1 24 10
Exercise #1. Block the fingerprint and get the Primary Division.
Exercise #2. Block
24fingerprint Box, Get the Primary and Secondary
Double Finger 2 (16) Plain Finger 4 Central
Plain Finger2 (16) Ulnar Finger 4 Double
Loop whorl (8) Pocket
Arch Loop (8) Loop
Whorl loop whorl
whorl
Radial Loop
Accidental
Finger 3 Double Finger 5
Finger 1 whorl Finger 3 Plain Finger 5
Finger 1 (8) loop (4)
(16) (8) Arch (4)
(16) whorl
Finger 6 Ulnar Loop Finger 8 Plain Finger 10
Finger 6 Accidental Finger 8 Plain Finger 10
(4) (2) Arch (1)
(4) Whorl (2) whorl (1)
Plain Tented
Whorl Finger 7 (2) Radial Finger 9 Arch
Radial Finger 7 Tented Finger 9 Double
Loop (1)
loop (2) Arch (1) Loop

Primary Secondary
Primary =
=21 =aXa
5 Urat

Sub-Secondary Division
The Secondary Division
Sub-Secondary Division is derived by ridge counting a loop
This division is obtained by writing (copying) the Capital
and ridge tracing a whorl appearing at the Index, Middle and Ring
letter symbols (taken from the index fingers) and the small letters
fingers only. It is represented by only letters using the I-M-O
(from the thumb, middle, ring and little fingers). The letters include
System for the whorl and the I-O System for the loop.
the following:
It only shows that arches (plain and tented arch) are not included in
the ridge counting and tracing but it is represented by symbol dash(-).
Capital Letters = All letters appearing at the index finger with the right
index as numerator the left index as the denominator.
Whorl Pattern: Plain, Central, Double or Accidental whorls will be
(A,T,U,R,W,C,D,X).
ridge traced and the result will either be Inner (I), Outer (O) or a
Meeting (M).
Small letters (rat) = only letters r (radial), a (plain arch) and t (tented
arch is included).
Loop Patterns: Radial and Ulnar will be ridge counted and the answer
will be dependent on what finger they appear.
Illustration of Secondary Division
U Finger2 R Finger 4 Tented Index Finger 1-9 = I
Ulnar loop (16) Radial (8) Arch 10 or more = 0
Loop
Finger 1 Double Plain Arch Finger 5 Middle Finger 1-10 = I
(16) Loop Whorl Finger 3 (4) 11 or more = 0
(8)
\ D / A T Ring Finger 1-13 = I
Finger 6 Plain Whorl Finger 8 Plain Arch Finger 10 14 or more = 0
(4) (2) (1)
Finger 7
R (2) Central Plain
Radial Pocket Finger 9 Whorl
Loop Loop (1)
Whorl
\ W W A W

Primary Division Secondary Division

P= 1 + 16 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 20 S= Drat
1 0 +0+0+2+0 3 rWa

3
 Table A is used both on the left thumb and right thumb if they are
both loops and the ridge count of the left thumb does not reached or
exceed 17. If the left thumb reached 17 or more, it is classified, as
Illustration of Sub-Secondary Division. Exceptional, and the Table B will now be used only for the right
thumb.
Finger Classification (FPC) = 20 Cra II-
21 aU OMI
Illustration for Major division. FPC = S 24 rWrt MI-
Right Hand I 7 D OMI
Plain Whorl I I _ Double Loop
R=9 whorl R R -

W C / A W
Left Hand
Plain Arch O M I Plain whorl
U = 10 U=8
/ W / T W

A / W / W

P= 1 + 16 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 20 S = Cra
1 16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 0 21 aU
W D W / W
Sub-Secondary (SS) = II–
OMI P= 24 S= rWrt
7 D
Exercise #3. Block the finger Box, Compute the primary division, and
get the Secondary and Sub-Secondary Divisions. SS= MI- M= S
OMI I

Exercise # 4. Get the primary, Secondary, Sub-secondary and Major

division of the following fingerprints.

FPC

P= S=

SS=

P= S=

Major Division
SS= M=
This is similar in process as the sub secondary division
thought it applies to the thumbs only and ridge counting has been
modified.

Whorl Patterns = Ridge Tracing = I,O,M. Final Division

Loop Patterns =Ridge Counting = S,M,L.
Arch Patterns = Dash (-) This is the division in the classification formula that is
desired from the two (2) little fingers. The results of the ridge counting
Tables for Loop patterns: of a loop or Whorl will be exhibited at the extreme right corner of the
classification line. Take note that the whorl will be ridge counted and
Table A Table B it is not to be ridge traced.
1-11 = S 1-17 = S
12-16 = M 18-22 = M Loops = to be ridge counted in its conventional way.
17 or more = L 23 or more = L Whorls

4
 1. Plain whorl and Central Pocket Loop = will be treated as division of 1/1 followed by 2/1 until it reached the last classification
ULNAR loop for purposes of ridge counting. which is 32/32.
2. Double loop whorl = will be ridge counted as to its top loop.
3. Accidental Whorl = Will be ridge counted in all but the least (See the attached list of complete arrangement of Primary Division in
ridge counts will be used. Appendices.)

Key Division

This division is derived by getting the ridge count of the first

loop formation appearing in the ten fingers except the two little
fingers, and the result will be exhibited at the left most top corner of
the classification line. Take note that it is only one and it should be a
numerator not a denominator. In case of absence of loop, the first
whorl will be ridge counted following the rules of ridge counting a With primary division, 1,024 classified fingerprints can easily be filed.
whorl under final division.
1. After the primary division, arrange the classified card
Illustration for the Final and Key Division: following the secondary denominator and secondary
numerator.
FPC 7 M 1 Tar - - I 3
S 24 Crt IIM – Arrange them first based on the capital letter representation
- - R=7 appearing on the denominator and numerator with the following
sequence.
A, T, R, U, W, C, D, X.

ATRUWCDX ATRUWCDX
W T A / W AAAAAAAAA TTTTTTTTTT

ATRUWCDX ATRUWCDX
RRRRRRRRR UUUUUUUU

ATRUWCDX ATRUWCDX
/ C \ W T WWWWWWW CCCCCCCC

ATRUWCDX ATRUWCDX
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATED FINGER/S DDDDDDDD XXXXXXXX

1. In the case of a missing one or more fingers on the same

hand, the pattern of the corresponding digit of the other
hand will be taken. Small letter sequence will be as follows:
2. When one or more fingers of both hands are missing, the (See the attached list of complete arrangement of Primary Division in
said same fingers will be arbitrarily be interpreted as Plain Appendices.)
Whorl with meeting as tracing.
3. When all fingers of both hands are missing, they are all to
be considered as Meeting Plain Whorl.

Module 6
FILING OF CLASSIFIED FINGERPRINTS

The filling of classified fingerprints is very essential in a Fingerprint

Identification Section. This serves as reference every time that that
the identity of criminal is under question. With the advent of the
modern system of fingerprint identification called AFIS (Automated
Fingerprint Identification System), the classification and filing of
classified card becomes very important because data banking is the
fundamental reference of this state of the art system of identification.
The chapter provides for a simple discussion on how to file classified
fingerprints.

Step to be followed in filing the classified fingerprints:

1. Arranged the classified fingerprint based on the primary

denominator to be followed by the Primary numerator.

The Primary division is the main part of the classification for

it is the basis in determining the file under which the print is placed or
filed. The filing begins the primary denominator, which only means
that the first classified card to appear in the filing cabinet is the one
with the primary division of 1/1 followed by 2/1 until it reached the last
classified card to appear in the filing cabinet is the one with primary

5
 Module 7
LATENT PRINTS IN CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION

The word “latent” was derived from a Latin word, which means
“something indistinct” or “something hidden”. At present, the word
“latent prints” is generally used to refer to all forms of fingerprints that
are found at the scene of crime.

Latent prints have been defined as the markings of oily matter or

perspiration from the skin glands left upon any surface that the hands
and fingers may have touched. (B.C. Dridges, 214, Practical
Fingerprinting, Funk & Wagnalls Co.) These are in most cases
perceptible by the naked eye, although in some extent they are highly
“latent” being so indistinct or invisible, thus, a need for developing or
disclosure process.