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DACTYLOSCOPY o Dutch anatomist Govard Bidloo's 1685 book, "Anatomy of the Human Body"
JOPERSON G. PABLO, R.CRIM., REB, REA also described friction ridge skin (papillary ridge) details.
DEVELOPMENT OF FINGERPRINTS
• MARCELO MALPIGHI (1628-1694) - originated the term “loops and spiral.”
INTRODUCTION TO PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION (Grandfather of Dactyloscopy).
• BERTILLON SYSTEM – a system of personal identification introduced by a • J.C. MAYER (1788) - addressed the individuality of the friction ridges.
Frenchman named Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) near the end of 19th century • JOHANNES E. PURKENJE (1823) - classified nine principal configuration groups of
based on accurate physical/body measurements (Anthropometry). fingerprints and assigned each a name he was known as the “Father of
• FINGERPRINTS – identification through finger print patterns (Dactyloscopy). Dactyloscopy.”
• Universal file of dental charts (Orthodonthology) • HERMAN WELCKER (1856) - took the prints of his own palms & after 41
• Palmistry years(1879) he printed the same palms to proved that prints do not change, except
• Photographs/Portrait Parle for some scratches due to old age.
• Utilization of blood groups and the numerous sub-groups. • WILLIAM J. HERSCHEL - utilized fingerprints as a substitute for signature to avoid
• DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid) impersonation among the natives. It was Herschel who proved that the groupings of
the papillary ridges (they are formed in the first few months of fetal life) remain
HISTORY OF FINGERPRINTS constant from birth to death.
• EGYPT - the earliest evidence of ridge detail on the hands and feet of humans was • DR. HENRY FAULDS (1877) - pointed out the value of fingerprinting as being in
seen in the 4000 year old mummies of ancient Egypt. “medico legal studies” and commented that photographs of people change over the
• CHINA years but rugae ( friction ridges) never change.
o Chinese records from the 221-206 BC Qin Dynasty include details about • FRANCIS GALTON (1892-1911) - 1st scientist of friction skin identification;
using handprints as evidence during burglary investigations. discovered the 3 families of fingerprint patterns (Arches, Loops & Whorls); also stated
o Clay seals bearing friction ridge impressions were used during both the Qin that if there is possibility for two prints to be the same it is 1:64,000,000,000.
and Han Dynasties (221 BC - 220 AD). • EDWARD RICHARD HENRY (1859-1931) -developed his own system of
o “Hua Chi” - the name given by the Chinese in referring to fingerprints. classification making him known as the “Father of Modern Fingerprint.“
o “Lo” (Snail) - Arches and Whorls • JUAN VUCETICH (1891) - developed his own system of classifying prints that was
o “Ki” (Winnowing basket) - Loops officially adopted in Argentina and was used in most Spanish Speaking Country.
o Emperor Te’in Shi (246-210 BC) - 1st Chinese ruler who devised seal (First case used was the Rojas Homicide in 1892) – ICNOFALONGOMETRIC
carved from white jade; On one side of it was the name of the owner, and on SYSTEM.
the other side the impression of the thumb. • GILBERT THOMPSON (1882) - used his own thumb print on a document to help
• PERSIA (1400 AD) - he 14th century Persian book "Jaamehol-Tawarikh" (Universal prevent forgery. It was in the same year that the first known use of fingerprints in the
History), attributed to Khajeh Rashiduddin Fazlollah Hamadani (1247-1318), includes United States was noted.
comments about the practice of identifying persons from their fingerprints. • THE WILLIAM WEST – WILL WEST CASE (1903)
• EUROPE (1600S) o At a Federal Prison in Leavenworth, Kansas, changed the way that people
o In a "Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London" paper in were classified and identified. When a man named Will West entered the
1684, Dr. Nehemiah Grew was the first European to publish friction ridge Leavenworth Prison System, in 1903, he was “booked” into the prison, as all
skin observations.

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other inmates. His face was photographed, and his Bertillion measurements • GENEROSO REYES - 1st Filipino Fingerprint Technician employed by the Phil.
were taken. Constabulary.
o Upon completion of this process, it was noted that another inmate, known as • ISABELA BERNALES - 1st Filipina Fingerprint Technician
William West, who was already incarcerated at Leavenworth, had the same • CAPT THOMAS DUGAN & MR. FLAVIANO G. GUERRERO - gave the 1st
name, Bertillion measurements, and bore a striking resemblance to Will examination in fingerprint (1937). Agustin Patricio of the Philippines top the
West. The incident called the reliability of Bertillion measurements into Examination.
question, and it was decided that a more positive means of identification was • People of the Philippines Vs. Medina (59 Phil. 330. No. 38434, Dec. 23, 1933) -
necessary. As the Bertillion System began to decline, the use of fingerprints 1st conviction based on fingerprint & leading judicial decision in the Philippines. The
in identifying and classifying individuals began to rise. After 1903, many fingerprint evidence presented by a Constabulary agent, AGRIPINO RUIZ.
prison systems began to use fingerprints as the primary means of • PLARIDEL EDUCATION INSTITUTION (Phil. College of Criminology) - 1st
identification. government recognized school to teach the Science of Fingerprint & other Police
• ALPHONSE BERTILLION (1882) - devised method of body measurements to Sciences.
produce a formula used to classify individuals.
• MARK TWAIN (1883) - in his book, Life on the Mississippi, a murderer was identified FINGERPRINT – is a reproduction on some smooth surface of the pattern or design formed
by the use of fingerprint identification. by the ridges on the inside of the end joint of a finger or thumb.
• 1917 - First palm print identification is made in Nevada. The bloody palm print, found
on a letter left at the scene of a stage coach robbery and murder of its driver, was FINGERPRINTING – is the process of securing an impression of the papillary ridges of the
identified to Ben Kuhl. fingers for the purpose of identification.
• 1908 – The first official fingerprint card was developed.
• 1980 – First computer data base of fingerprints was developed, which came to be FRICTION RIDGES – raised strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and
known as the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). In the present thumbs by which fingerprints are made and also known as “PAPILLARYRIDGES” and
day, there are nearly 70 million cards, or nearly 700 million individual fingerprints “EPIDERMAL RIDGES”. Fingerprint patterns consist of alternating ridges and furrows.
entered in AFIS.
• CAPT JAMES I PARKE - advocated the first state and penal use of fingerprint FURROWS – depressed portions of the fingerprint resembling blank or white spaces in the
which was officially adopted in Sing-Sing prison on June 5, 1903 and later at Auburn, pattern.
Napanoch and Clinton Penitentiaries.
• MARY K. HOLLAND - the first American instructor in Dactyloscopy. DACTYLOSCOPY
• DR. EDMOND LOCARD - Father of Poroscopy, originated the terms “Loops and • practical application of fingerprints.
Spirals.” • Greek “Dactyl” - finger and “Skopien” - to study or to examine.
• Literally it means the study of finger.

PHILIPPINE HISTORY OF FINGERPRINTS DACTYLOGRAPHY - scientific study of fingerprints as means of identification.

• MR. JONES - 1st taught fingerprint in the Philippine Constabulary in the year 1900.
• 1918 – , Bureau Of Prison’s carpetas (Commitment & Conviction Records) already DACTYLOMANCY - study of fingerprint for purposes of interpreting one’s personality.
used fingerprint.
• LT ASA & N. DARBY - Established a modern & complete fingerprint files for Phil. FINGERPRINTS - an impression designed by the ridges on the inside of the last joint of the
Commonwealth during the reoccupation of the Philippines by the American Forces. finger or thumb or any smooth surface.

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• RIDGE SURFACE - forms the fingerprint impression.

o Ridges - tiny elevation or hill like structures found on the epidermis is layer
of the skin containing sweat pores. It appears as black lines with tiny white
dots called pores in an inked impression.
o Furrows - canal-like impression or a depression found between the ridges
which may be compare with the low area in a tire thread. They appear as
white lines in an inked impression.
DOGMATIC PRINCIPLE • SWEAT PORES - a small opening found anywhere across the ridge surface but is
• INDIVIDUALITY: No two persons have the same fingerprints. It is based on usually found near the center.
statistical probability (1:64 000 000 000). • SWEAT DUCT - a long-hose like structure that serves as the passage way for the
• PERMANENCY/CONSTANCY: Once ridges are fully develop their general sweat that exists at its mouth, the pore.
arrangement remains the same throughout life. • SWEAT GLANDS - found in the dermis layer of the skin which is responsible for the
• INFALLIBILITY: Fingerprint is a reliable positive means of identification. (It cannot be production of the sweat.
contested.)

FUNDAMENTAL LAYERS OF FRICTION SKIN

OTHER FIELDS OF STUDY • EPIDERMIS - the outer covering of the skin.
• Poroscopy - Greek “poros” - a pare, and “skopien” - to examine. (study of the sweat • DERMIS - the inner layer of the skin containing blood vessels, various glands and
PORES.) nerves. It is where the dermal papillae are found.
• Chiroscopy - Greek word “cheir” - hand and “skopien” - to examine. (study of the
prints of the PALMS of the hand) - Sir William Herschel utilized this.
• Podoscopy - Greek “podo” - foot and “skopien” - to examine. (study of the prints of RIDGE FORMATION
the soles of the feet). • Ridges begin to form on the human fetus during its 3rd to 4th months of the fetus
• Edgeoscopy – the study of the morphological characteristics of friction ridges, shape life.
or contour of the edges of friction ridges. • DERMAL PAPILLAE - irregular blunt pegs composed of delicate connective tissues
• Ridgeology – describes the individualization process of any area of friction skin protruding and forming the ridges of the skin on the fingers, palms, toes and soles of
using all available detail. the feet. It does not contain coloring pigments (melanin).

RIDGE DESTRUCTION
FRICTION SKIN • Manual works
• An epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and • Diseases
feet covered with minute ridges and furrows and without pigment or coloring matters. • Warts
• Also called as papillary or epidermal ridges. • Ulcers
• strip of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs by which • Burns
fingerprints are made. • Scars

COMPONENTS OF FRICTION SKIN

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RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS (MINUTIAE) • CROSSOVER or BRIDGE – a short ridge which interconnects two other parallel
• Ridge ending – ends abruptly ridges.
• Short ridge/Island/Independent ridge - a ridge that starts, travels a short distance and • SPUR – a very short ridge, usually one to two pores, jutting out from a free flowing
then ends. ridge.
• Dot/Fragment - approximately equal length and width. • CIRCUITING RIDGE – a ridge which curls into a circle, either joint or not. (Whorl
• Bifurcation – a single ridge that divides into two ridges. patterns)
• Double bifurcation • CRISCROSSING RIDGES – two ridges which cross or intersect each other.
• Trifurcation
• Bridge/Crossover - a short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges.
• Island
• Enclosure/Lake - a single ridge that bifurcates and reunites a short time after to form
a single ridge.
TYPES OF FINGERPRINTS
• Spur - a bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge.
• LATENT – the most frequently found.
o invisible to the eye.
RIDGE FORMATION o formed by sweat, oil on surfaces of finger ridges.
• RECURVING RIDGE - a ridge that curves back in the direction from which it started. o must be treated with chemicals, powders, etc. to be visible. (Physical,
The curve at the top or closed end is the “recurve.” Chemical, Instrumental)
• CONVERGING RIDGES –two ridges running parallel and meeting at a point forming PHYSICAL PROCESSING METHODS
an angle. The closed end is the “point of convergence.” BY THE USE OF:
▪ Magnetic Powder
• DIVERGING RIDGES – two ridges running side by side and suddenly separating,
▪ Black Silk Powder
one going one way and the other going another way. The point where they separate
▪ Fluorescent Powder
is called the “point of divergence.”
▪ Ninhydrin (dipping, spraying, brushing)
• APPENDAGE – a short ridge, which runs into the one trying to recurve at the top of
• VISIBLE – easily seen by the unaided eye.
the summit of the recurve at a right angle.
o most common when fingers are blood stained.
• BIFURCATION – one ridge which forks or splits into two ridges. The point where it
o can also be made by ink or other similar medium staining fingers of person
splits or forks is called the “point of bifurcation.”
leaving print.
• RIDGE ENDING – an abrupt end of a ridge formation.
o rarely found at crime scenes since perpetrators would attempt to wipe away
• ISLAND or DOT RIDGE – a very short ridge resembling a dot.
easily seen evidence of this type.
• ENCLOSURE or LAKE – a bifurcation which does not remain open but in which legs
• PLASTIC – a.k.a. molded print.
of bifurcation after running along side by side within a relatively short distance, form a
o made by impression of fingerprint in soft material
single once more.
o soft material might be drying paint, putty, soap and cheese.
• SHORT RIDGE – a short independent ridge with considerable open area at either
end.
• BROKEN RIDGE – a ridge that appears to be continuous but upon close inspection TYPE LINES - Basic boundaries of most fingerprints (loop and whorl patterns). They are the
proves to be broken up into segments. two innermost ridges which run parallel, starting from the lower corner or corners of the

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pattern area, where they diverge or separate, then surround or tend to surround the pattern CORE FORMATION
area. • CORE - the inner terminus or focal point inside the center or approximately center of
RULES: the pattern area.
• Look for the two innermost diverging ridges. TYPES OF CORE
• Whenever the ridge that forms a type line suddenly ends, the next ridge immediately o STAPLE CORE – is the point located on the shoulder of the recurving ridge.
outside of it, is taken as its continuation. o BAR or ROD CORE – is the point at the tip of an ending ridge rising as high
• When type line bifurcates, the outer branch of the bifurcation is considered as the or above the shoulders of the innermost recurving ridge.
continuation of the type line. o FRAGMENTARY CORE – is the point of a very short ridge or ridge dot found
inside the recurving ridge rising as high or above the shoulders of the
innermost recurving ridge.
PATTERN AREA - That part which lies within the area surrounded by the type lines in which RULES IN DETERMING CORE IN LOOP PATTERN
are found the “core,” “deltas,” and other ridges pertaining to a particular fingerprint pattern. o If the innermost recurving ridge does not contain any ending ridge or rod
inside it, the core is placed on the shoulder of the innermost recurving ridge
DELTA FORMATION farther from the delta.
• DELTA - a point on the first ridge formation at or directly in front of the divergence of o If the innermost recurving ridge contains a single ending ridge rising as high
the type lines. or above the shoulders of the loop, the core is placed at the tip of the ridge
TYPES OF DELTAS: engulfed by the shoulder of the innermost looping ridge.
o Bifurcation or fork; o If the innermost looping ridge contains an even number of ending ridges
o Ridge ending; which rise as high as the shoulder of the recurving ridge, the core is placed
o Island or dot ridge; and at the tip of one of the two center ridges which is farther from the delta.
o Enclosure o If the innermost recurving ridge contains uneven number of ending ridges
RULES IN DETERMINING DELTAS: which rise as high as the shoulders, the core is placed at the tip of the center
o Determine first the type lines. ridge.
o Look for the first ridge formation at or directly in front of the divergence of the o If the innermost recurving ridge is connected at right angle between its
type lines. shoulders by an abutting ridge (appendage), the innermost loop is destroyed
o Whenever there is a choice between a bifurcation and some ridge formations and the next uninvolved loop immediately outside of it shall be considered as
as the location of the delta, the bifurcation is always taken as the delta. the innermost loop and shall be used to deter mine the location of the core.
Provided however, the bifurcation must be the first ridge formation in front of o If there are two distinct loops or recurving ridges in the center of the pattern
the divergence of the type lines, and must towards the pattern area. running side by side as there is only one delta, the recurving ridges are
o Whenever the choice is between two or more ridge formations other then a considered as innermost recurving ridge, the core is placed at the shoulder of
bifurcation, the one nearer or nearest the core is chosen as the delta. the one that is farther from the delta.
o In case of ending ridge running parallel in between the type lines, the o In the event two distinct loops in the center of the pattern intersect below or
following rules shall apply: above the shoulder line, the two recurving ridges are treated as one and the
▪ If the originate end nearer the divergence of the type lines. core is placed on one of the two innermost ridges farther from the delta.
▪ Should this ridge originate outside of the pattern area, the delta is o Whenever the two innermost loops intersect in the shoulder line, the point of
located at the end nearer the core. intersection is considered as core.

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FINGERPRINT PATTERNS o CENTRAL POCKET LOOP - consists of two deltas and at least one ridge
• Describes the shapes that are produced by the black or colored portions of the that makes or tends to make a complete circuit.
fingerprint, NOT the white or uncolored portions. o ACCIDENTAL – a combination of two or more patterns, except plain arch,
• The black portions are called ridges. and does not conform to any of the other definitions, and has two or more
deltas.
RIDGE TRACING - the process of coursing or tracing the ridge that originates
GENERAL GROUPS from the left delta flowing towards the right delta or near the point and
• ARCH determining the number of intervening ridges between the traced ridge and right
o PLAIN - ridges enter on one side of the impression and flow or tend to flow delta to constitute the three subdivisions such as inner, meeting and outer
out the other with a rise or wave in the center. represented by capital I,M,O.
o TENTED - one or more ridges form an up thrust. RULES OF RIDGE TRACING
▪ When have been located, the tracing starts on the ridge emanating
from the lower side or point of the left delta until the point nearest or
• LOOP - pattern in which one or more ridges start at one of the lower corner of the opposite the right delta is reached.
pattern, run toward the upper corner on the opposite side, then turn around and start ▪ Then the number of ridges intervening between the traced ridge and
back toward from which it started. right delta are counted to determine whether it is Inner, Meeting or
o RADIAL – towards the thumb. Outer.
o ULNAR – towards the pinky. ▪ If the traced ridge ends without reaching the right side, it is
REQUISITES OF A LOOP necessary to drop perpendicularly to a point on a ridge directly below
▪ It must have a DELTA. and continue the tracing up to the relative point nearest the right
▪ It must have a CORE. delta.
▪ It must have a RECURVING RIDGE. ▪ If the traced ridge is a bifurcation, follow the lower branch and if this
▪ It must have a RIDGE COUNT of at least ONE. branch ends up abruptly, drop on the next ridge until tracing is
RULES IN RIDGE COUNTING completed.
• Locate the exact points of the core and the delta SUBDIVISIONS OF WHORLS ACCORDING TO THEIR TRACING
• Count all the ridges which touch or cross the imaginary line ▪ If the traced ridge reach the relative point nearest the right delta and
drawn between the core and delta. goes above or inside it and there are 3 or more intervening ridges
• Never include the core and delta in counting. Count only between the traced ridge and the right delta, it is considered as inner
those ridges which intervene or pass the imaginary line. whorl
• Incipient ridge are never counted no matter what they ▪ A whorl pattern is considered meeting if the traced ridge reached the
appear. relative point nearest to the right delta and goes above or inside; or
below/outside with 1 or 2 intervening ridges between such delta and
• WHORL - All whorls have at least two deltas and a recurve in front of each delta. traced ridge, or if the traced ridge started from the left delta and runs
o PLAIN - consists of one or more ridges that make a complete circuit, with directly to the right delta.
TWO DELTAS. ▪ A whorl pattern is considered outer if the traced ridge reached the
o DOUBLE LOOP - consists of two separate loop formations, with two relative point near the right delta and goes below or outside such
separate and distinct sets of shoulders, and two deltas.
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delta with 3 or more ridges intervening between such delta and o Summing up the numerical values of whorls assigned to the fingers plus the
traced ridge. pre-established fraction of 1/1.

• SECONDARY
INTERPRETATION o CAPITAL LETTER GROUP
• ARCH – 5% ▪ A – PLAIN ARCH
• LOOP – 60%-65% ▪ R – RADIAL LOOP
• WHORL – 30%-35% ▪ T – TENTED ARCH
▪ U – ULNAR LOOP
▪ W – PLAIN WHORL
IMPORTANCE OF FINGERPRINTS
▪ C – CENTRAL POCKET LOOP
o It is used for identifying suspects for investigation purposes.
▪ D – DOUBLE LOOP
o Used to provide identity for unidentified dead person. ▪ X – ACCIDENTAL WHORL
o Used for the identification of missing person. o SMALL LETTER GROUP
o Detecting a criminal identity through fingerprints collected at the scene and ▪ A – PLAIN ARCH
determining recidivism or habitual delinquency. ▪ R – RADIAL LOOP
o Used as a means of verification or confirmation of public documents.
▪ T – TENTED ARCH
o Used as records in the police departments and other law enforcement
agency for the purpose of issuing clearance.
o Modern technology utilizes fingerprints in opening of volts or doors leading to
• SUB-SECONDARY
confidential matters.
o The conversion of the ridge count of the loops or the ridge tracing of the
o Used as means in checking or verifying entry of authorized personnel on
whorl and other composite of whorl appearing in the INDEX, MIDDLE, and
certain business establishments.
RING fingers in the pattern.
o If the fingers are LOOPS – I (Inner) or O (Outer) and observe the table of
FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION - The assigning of classification to the entire set of prints conversion of loop.
for the purpose of filing and searching them. TABLE OF CONVERSION OF LOOPS
FINGER RIDGE COUNT CONVERSION
SIX (6) DIVISIONS FOR FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION: Index 1–9 Inner (I)
• PRIMARY - the result of the summation of all the numerical values assigned to 10 - + Outer (O)
whorls (plain whorl, central pocket loop whorl, double loop whorl, and accidental
whorl), appearing in a fingerprint chart which are expressed as numerators and Middle 1 – 10 Inner (I)
denominators plus the pre-established fraction of one over one. 11 - + Outer (O)
FOUR STEPS
o Pairing Ring 1- 13 Inner (I)
14 - + Outer (O)
o Assigning numerical values to whorl patterns only
o If the fingers are WHORLS - I (Inner), M (Meeting) or O (Outer).
o Knowing the numerators and denominators in pair
o If the fingers are ARCHES – represented by DASH (-).

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o If there is no such loop pattern, the key is the result of the ridge count of the
• FINAL first whorl treating such whorl as ulnar loop for counting purposes, similar to
o The ridge count of the loops or whorls in both LITTLE FINGERS expressed final classification.
in numbers. o If ARCHES appears in all finger – represented by DASH (-).
o If a loop appears in one finger and a whorl in the other, enumerate both their
ridge counts by treating the whorl as an ulnar loop for counting purposes.
o If the whorl is located in the right little finger, the counting will be from the left
delta to core. ALWAYS REMEMBER:
o If the pattern is a double loop, the ridge count is derived from the upright Every human being carries with him from his cradle to his grave certain physical
loop. marks which do not change their character by which he can always be identified and that
o An accidental whorl, must be ridge-counted from the extreme corresponding without shade of doubt or question these marks are his signature. And this autograph cannot
delta to the nearest core (least number of ridge count) be counterfeited, nor can he disguise it or hide it away. This ‘signature’ is each man’s very
own — there is no duplicate of it among the swarming populations of the globe. This
• MAJOR autograph consists of the delicate lines or corrugations with which Nature marks the insides
o Similar to the sub-secondary classification, but it only refers to the THUMB. of the hands and the soles of the feet.
o RIDGE TRACING for whorl. Fingerprints can not lie, but liars can make fingerprint.
o RIDGE COUNTING for loop.
o If both thumbs are of loop patterns:
▪ If the ridge count of left thumb is 16 or less, both thumbs have the
same ridge conversion.

RIDGE CONVERSION
RIDGE COUNT CONVERSION
1 – 11 Small (S)
12 - 16 Medium (M)
17 and up Large (L)
▪ If the ridge count of left thumb is 17 or more, the ridge conversion for
right thumb will be observed.
RIDGE CONVERSION FOR RIGHT THUMB
RIDGE COUNT CONVERSION
1 – 17 Small (S)
18 - 22 Medium (M)
23 – + Large (L)

• KEY
o The ridge count of the first loop pattern to appear in all fingers except
little fingers.

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