PERSONAL

IDENTIFICATION
PREHISTORIC FINGERPRINTING

 Nova Scotia – picture writing of hand with ridge patterns

 Babylon – fingerprints were used on clay tablets for
business transactions.
 Ancient China – thumb prints were found on clay seals.
 14th century Persia - various official government papers
had fingerprints (impressions)
 FINGERPRINT PERSONALITIES

1. Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) – described:

a. Innumerable little ridges, of equal bigness on ends of
first joints of fingers
b. Sweat pores, epidermal ridges & their arrangements
2. Govard Bidloo (1685) – illustrated friction ridge
& pore structure on underside of fingers; did
not mention individuality of friction ridges
3. Marcello Malpighi (1686) – Treatise: ridges,
spirals, & loops; Malpighi layer – layer of skin
approximately 1.88mm thick.
FINGERPRINT PERSONALITIES

4. J.C.A. Mayer (1788) – 1st to state repetitiveness &

similarity of friction ridge patterns, & non-
duplication of ridges
5. John Evangelist Purkinje (1823) – Thesis: 9
fingerprint patterns; no mention about personal
identification.
6. Inez Whipple & Harris Hawthorne Wilder (1904) –
explained:
a. Development and origin of friction ridges
b. Ridge configuration on volar surfaces
7. Harold Cummins & Charles Midloo (1943) – described
formation & development of volar pads on human
fetus
FINGERPRINT PERSONALITIES

8. Alfred Hale (1952) – studied cross-sections of fetal

skin; described formation of friction ridges during fetal
development & differential growth of friction ridges.
9. Sir William Herschel (1856) – First used fingerprints on
native contracts in Jungipoor, India; no thought toward
personal identification; noted that no changes in his
fingerprints recorded over period of 57 years.
10. Henry Faulds (1880) – Took up study of skin furrows;
contribution: (1) fingerprint: means of identification, &
(2) method of classification; 1st fingerprint
identification of greasy fingerprint left on alcohol
bottle.
FINGERPRINT PERSONALITIES

11. Gilbert Thompson (1882) – Used his thumb print on

document to prevent forgery – first known use of
fingerprints in the U.S.
12. Alphonse Bertillon (1882) – Bertillon System:
Anthropometry, Photography & Portrait Parle
13. Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens) (1883) – Recognized
value of fingerprints to personal identification in his
fiction books.
FINGERPRINT PERSONALITIES

14. Sir Francis Galton (1888) – Fingerprints as means of

identification in 1880s; originated 1 in 64 billion
chance of 2 fingerprints being same; ridge
characteristics – minutiae or Galton’s details
15. Juan Vucetich (1891) – Began fingerprint files based on
Galton pattern types; made first criminal fingerprint
identification in 1892 (Francis Rojas case); devised his
own system of classification.
FINGERPRINT PERSONALITIES
16. Azizul Haque & Hem Chandra Bose (1897) – 2 Indian
fingerprint experts credited w/ primary development
of Henry System of fingerprint classification (named
for their supervisor, Edward Richard Henry).
17. Sir Edward Richard Henry (1901) – Widely known for
his Henry System of Classification.
18. Dr. Henry P. DeForrest (1902) – Pioneers U.S.
fingerprinting.
19. Edmond Locard (1918) – Originated 12 points in
arriving at individualization; advanced poroscopy as
a means of identification
20. Salil Kumar (1905-1908) – advanced edgeoscopy:
using specific ridge-edge shapes to supplement
fingerprint individualization.
PHILIPPINE SETTING

1. Mr. Jones – first taught FP in PC in 1900

2. Bureau of Prisons – 1918 Carpetas bore
FP
3. Lt. Asa N. Darby – established modern &
complete FP files under Philippine
Commonwealth
4. Capt Thomas Dugan (NYPD) & Flaviano
Guerrero (FBI) – gave first examinations
in FP in 1937.
PHILIPPINE SETTING

5. Agustin Patricio – topped 1st

examinatins in FP in 1937
6. People vs Medina, 59 Phil. 330
(Dec. 28, 1933) – 1st conviction
based on FP
7. Plaridel Education Institute (now
PCCR) – 1st school to teach FP &
other police sciences
SCIENTIFIC BASIS OF FRICTION
SKIN IDENTIFICATION

FINGERPRINT

 Impression of friction ridge of all or any part of

finger
TENETS OF FRICTION SKIN
IDENTIFICATION

1. Unique – all areas of friction skin: totally

individual.
2. Permanent – location, appearance &
relationships of features remain unchanged
throughout person’s lifetime.
NATURE OF SKIN

Skin
 Largest organ of human body
 Approx. 15-20% of body weight; occupies 2 sq.
m. of surface area
 Relatively smooth, except (1) palmar side of
hands, & (2) plantar side of feet

 Volar skin: biologists; friction ridge skin: fingerprint

examiners; fingerprint: public
Basement
Membrane
Stratum Granulosum:
Lucidum:
Spinosum:
Basale:
Corneum: a.k.a.
a.k.a.
a.k.a.
a.k.a.
a.k.a.
stratum
hyalin
spinous
cornified
granular
layer;
germinativum
layer;
layer;
layer
flat
“pickle
&initiates
or
translucent
or
cells”
hornygenerating
process
– layer;
many
dead
of
outermost
cells;
keratinization
sided
layer; appears
cells
creates
w/
layer;
“spines”
only
(dying
new
flat,
onprocess
cells;
arranged
palms
protruding
deepest
&ofsoles
in
cells);
rows
from
layer;
last
as
surface.
dead
ofparallel
living
cells.cells.
to basement
membrane.
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES
 Ridge Units:

 Theoretical length indicating segment of

friction ridge.
 Approximately same distance as width of
friction ridge
 Signifies area around pore.

 SOURCE: Michele Triplett's Fingerprint

Terms
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES
 Incipient Ridge

 Immature friction ridge

 A.k.a. nascent ridge, a rudimentary ridge or a
subsidiary ridge
 Not fully developed that may appear shorter
and thinner than fully developed friction ridges

 SOURCE: Michele Triplett's Fingerprint

Terms
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES
 Dermal Papillae

 Peg-like formations on surface of dermis.

 A.k.a. dermal pegs or papillary pegs

 SOURCE: Michele Triplett's Fingerprint

Terms
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES

 Flexion Crease

 Formed during friction ridge formation

 Completely lacking of any ridge detail
 Unique and permanent

 SOURCE: Michele Triplett's Fingerprint

Terms
IMPORTANT TERMINOLOGIES

 Phalange

 Any bone in fingers or toes

 A.k.a. phalanx
 Types: distal phalanx, medial/middle phalax,
proximal phalanx
 Thumbs: distal and proximal phalanx

 SOURCE: Michele Triplett's Fingerprint

Terms
SUMMARY OF FORMATION OF
RIDGES

1. General patterns on volar areas: determined by

heredity & genetic master plan.
2. Friction ridges: randomly formed because of
biological variation.
3. Biological variations: environmental influences
occurring during fetal development.
SUMMARY OF FORMATION OF
RIDGES

4. Environmental influences: pressures,

stresses, & other physical factors such as
disease & nutrition. Thus, no two areas of
friction skin will ever be same.
5. Identical twins may have similar friction
skin patterns but their individual ridge
formations will not be same.
6. Ridges: formed & become unique &
permanent during approximately 4th mo of
fetal life.
MAJOR FLEXION CREASES OF THE HAND

3
 Major Flexion Creases:
flexion creases:
 permanent features
Distal Transverse &
Crease
consistent
(B) in their
 arrangements.
Proximal Transverse
 Flexion
Crease (C)creases not to be
 confused with wrinkles.
Radial Longitudinal Crease
 Metacarpo-phalangeal
(D)
creasesBracelet
(E) (A) separate palm
Creases:
from fingers.
separate hand from wrist
FINGERPRINT PATTERN
INTERPRETATION

TYPES OF PATTERNS
I. Arch (5%): a. Plain Arch b. Tented Arch
II. Loop (65%): a. Radial Loop b. Ulnar Loop
III. Whorl (30%): a. Plain Whorl b. Central Pocket
Loop c. Double Loop d. Accidental Loop
RULES IN SELECTING TYPE
LINES, DELTA, & CORE
 TYPE LINES
1. Not always continuous
2. Definite break –
continuation: immediate
ridge outside
Type Lines
3. May be very short
 2 innermost ridges
4. 2 forks of bifurcation: not
 start parallel
type lines
 diverge
5. Exception: forks run
 surround/tend
parallel to
after bifurcating
surround
& diverge pattern area
(PA)
6. Angular formation: not
type line

Bifurcation
Divergence – forking/dividing
– spreading of 1running
apart of 2 lines line into 2/more branches
parallel/nearly parallel
PATTERN AREA
Description
 Only part of finger
impression for
interpretation &
classification
 Present in Ls & Ws
 Impossible to define: As &
Ts
 Part of L/W: cores, deltas,
& ridges for classification
 Enclosed by type lines
 Enclosed focal points:
delta & core
DELTA
Description
Rules: Choice of 2/+ Deltas
 PointTypeson ridge - (1) at or
of Delta
Not
1. (2) in @ bifur
front of not
or (3)opening
nearest
1. Bifurcation
toward
center of:core
DIVERGENCE
2. Abrupt ending ridge
2. OFBifur & another: bifur
type lines
3. Dot
selectedWebster
 2/+
3.
4. Short possibleof Greek
ridge
4th Letter deltas
conforming
Meeting of 2to
5. Alphabet definition:
ridges
nearest core chosen
6. Point
 on 1st name
Phoenician recurving
for
4. Not in mid of ridge
ridge nearestletter
corresponding to center &
between type
in frontalluvial
of divergencelines
of
 Greek: deposit at
toward
type core; nearer end
lines
mouth of Nile (Delta of the
only
Nile)
DELTA

 Dot: not delta; line D not

type line
 Line D: not type line; not
running parallel to type line
 A–A
Dot: delta
 Line E: not type line; not
 Bifurcations: not delta; do
running parallel to type line
not open toward core
A–A
 End of ridge E: delta;
nearest to center of
divergence of type lines
CORE
 Definition: approximate
center of finger impression
 Rules in Selecting Core of
Loop:
1. Upon/within
innermost sufficient
recurve (ISR)
2. ISR: no ending
ridge/rod rising as
high as
shoulders of loop
(RAHASOL) – shoulder
farther from delta:
core
CORE
 Rules in Selecting Core
of Loop:
3. ISR: uneven # of
rods RAHAS – end of
center rod
(touching looping
ridge/not): core
4. ISR: even # of rods
RAHAS – end of
farther 1 of 2
center rods (2
center rods treated
as recurving ridge):
core
CORE: RULES IN INTERLOCKING
LOOPS
1. Shoulder line crossing
exactly at point of
intersection of 2 loops: 2
loops as 1 w/ 1 rod – core
@ rod
2.
4.
Shoulder
2 loops asline above
1 w/ point
2 rods –
of intersection
core of 2delta
farther from loops: 2
loops as 1 w/ 2 rods – core
farther from delta
3. Shoulder line below point
of intersection of 2 loops: 2
loops as 1 w/ 2 rods – core
farther from delta
Basic Requirements of Loop
LOOP

Description
 1 or more ridges
Sufficient recurve
enter upon either
side,
 recurve,
Ridge count  touch/pass
across a imaginary line
looping ridge between delta &
core, &
Delta  pass out/tend to pass
out upon same side
ridges entered.
 RIDGE COUNTING: RULES TO
REMEMBER
15 Count Loop 1. Draw line: delta & core
Core:Spike
2. 1 RC per touch/cut

3. 1 ridge: looping ridge

4. Delta & core: not counted

5. Fragments & dots: thick (to

be counted)
6. Bifurcation: 1 RC per fork
touched
7. Line on point of bifurcation:
2 RC
Delta: Bifurcation
TYPES OF LOOPS
Ulnar Loop (Right Hand)

Description
 Flow of ridges: flow toward
the little finger – Ulna bone.
 Indicated by diagonal line
in direction loop flows
 Remember:

 RH & D is LS
 LH & D is RS
TYPES OF LOOPS
Radial Loop Right Hand

Description
 Flow of ridges: flow toward
the thumb – Radius bone.
 Indicated by “R” in fingers
2 & 7 & by “r” in all other
fingers.
 Remember:
 RH & D is RS
 LH & D is LS
WHORL

 Used in deriving “primary” classification

 At least 2 deltas

 Recurve in front in each

 All whorl types: Whorl; Designation: “W”

PLAIN WHORL
1. Simplest form of whorl
2. Most common whorl
Description
“W”:
3.2 deltas general &
extension classif
 at least 1 ridge making
complete circuit or variant
of circle
 Imaginary line: delta –
delta – cut/touch at least 1
recurving ridge within
inner pattern area.
PLAIN WHORL

 Recurving ridge with

appendage in line of flow: not
circuit
 Appendage: spoil recurve on
that side
 Pattern: Not whorl but loop

appendage
CENTRAL POCKET LOOP
WHORL

1. Description
For extension purposes

2.
2“W”:
deltas general classif;
 At least
“C”: 1 ridge: complete
extension
3. circuit – spiral,
No recurve in frontoval,
of
circular,
delta invariant
innerof pattern
circle
Obstruction
 area: at right
obstruction at
angle
right angles to line of
flow sufficesline (delta &
 Imaginary
core): NOT
cutting/touching
recurving ridge within
inner pattern area
INNER LINE OF FLOW

Inner line of flow: Imaginary line between inner delta & center
of innermost recurve or looping ridge.
 OBSTRUCTION AT RIGHT ANGLE RULE
1. No recurve in front of
delta in inner PA: A
MUST – obstruction @
right angles to line of
flow (ORALOF)
2. No ORALOF: Loop
3. ORALOF: curved
4. ORALOF: straight
5. ORALOF: not dot
6. Right angle rule: only in
obstruction
7. Recurve/obstruction: no
8. Recurve/obstruction w/ appendage in appendage in line of flow
line of flow
DOUBLE LOOP
Description
1. For2 extension purpose
separate loop
2. formations,
“W”: general classif;
 “D”: extension
2 separate and distinct
3. sets of shoulders,
Separate: not
 2unconnected;
deltas 2 loops
 NomayRC be connected by
needed
appendage (not at right
 Appendage rule in loop
angles between shoulders
applies
of recurve)
 “S” type whorls,
“interlocking loops”, & 1
loop inside another: Plain
whorl
“S” TYPE
“INTERLOCKING” TYPE
ACCIDENTAL
Description
 Type 1
1. Combinations: L + T; L +

W;combination of
L + C; D + C, etc. 2
2. different types of pattern
Exceedingly unusual
 plain arch:not
patterns not defined
included in
 2any other deltas
or more classes
 Type 2
 pattern: w/ some
requirements for 2 or
more different types
 Type 3

 pattern: conforms to
none of definitions
RIDGE TRACING

5. Meeting
Inner == -3 ridges inside or outside right delta
3.
1.
2.
4. Outer (I)
Trace:
Count (O) =3 3or
or++ridges
intervening
left delta to
ridges inside
ridges:
point right
RT
outside delta
opposite
&
right right
right
delta delta.
delta
RIDGE TRACING
1. Tracing always on left
delta; not on type line.
2. Exception: type line –
next lower ridge after
RT breaks
3. Delta: 1st recurve –
continue toward right
delta
4. RT ends abruptly &
definitely: next lower
ridge
5. Short breaks: not
definite ridge endings
RIDGE TRACING
6. RT bifurcates: lower
limb/branch followed
7. 3 or + deltas: extreme
deltas
8. RT in d & X: stop tracing
on nearest point to right
delta on upward trend
9. No upward trend: tracing
to point opposite right
delta/delta itself
 TOPIC: Classification Formula &
Extension
CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
 Blocking out – 1st step in classifying; identifying pattern types
of all 10 fingers

a. Index Fingers (2 & 7): capital letter; ulnar loop

– diagonal line slanting in direction of loop

a. Arch: A
b. Tented Arch: T
c. Radial Loop: R
CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

 Blocking out

b. Other fingers: small letter; ulnar

loops – diagonal line slanting in
direction of loop (arch – a; tented
arch – t; radial loop – r)
c. All types of whorls: “W”
PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

16 16 8 8 4+1
See Example
#6 #7 #8 #9 #10

4 2 2 1 1+1
1. A.k.a. whorl division 3. EveNumerator (M) _+ 1
(appearance of whorl) OdDenominator(W) + 1
2. Constants: (1) Numerical 4. Possible Primary combinations:
value; (2) +1 1,024
5. No whorls in N = value: 1; no whorls in D = value:
1
CLASSIFICATION LINE
SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

Capital Letter
a. Type of pattern on #s 2 &
7
b. 25 possible combinations
c. Right of Primary in
classification formula
d. Right hand over left hand

See Example
SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION:
SMALL LETTER GROUP
 Small letter patterns of ART: arches, radial loops, &
tented arches on fingers No. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10
 Dash (-): absence of ART/between 2 small letters
 No dash (-) in thumbs if they are not ART
 If 2 or + small letter patterns exist consecutively,
number used indicating series
 Important to classification system: infrequent
occurrence (approx. 7–10% of all patterns)
 Presence: subsecondary classification & major division
no longer taken
See Example
SUB SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

 a.k.a. grouping of loops & whorls

 Subdivision of secondary classification when no
small-letters appear
 FBI system: use this division in cumbersome small-
letter groups
 Concerned fingers: 2,3,4,7,8,&9
 Loops = ridge counted
 Whorls = ridge traced
SUB SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

Table for Loop

Symbol Index (2 & 7) Middle (3 & 8) Ring (4 & 9)
I = Inner 1–9 1 – 10 1 – 13
O = Outer 10 or + 11 or + 14 or +

Table for Whorl

Symbol Tracing
I = Inner RT going inward right delta; 3 or + intervening ridges
O = Outer RT going outward right delta; 3 or + intervening ridges
M = Meeting RT going in & out right delta; ↓3 intervening ridges
SUB SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

OOO
MOI

Right Hand = # 2 (RC:12=O) # 3 (RT:O) # 4 (RC:17=O)

Left Hand = # 7 (RT:M) # 3 (RC: 18=O) # 4 (RT:I)
MAJOR DIVISION
 Concerns: thumbs, loops & whorls

 Whorls: RT=I, O, & M

 Loops: RC=S, M, & L

 Both thumbs loops = consider left thumb 1 st; RC

of left thumb determines table for right thumb.
MAJOR DIVISION
Table 1
Symbol Ridge
Count
S = Small 1 – 11
M = Medium 12 – 16
Table 2
L = Always
Largefor left thumb
17 or +
1.
Symbol Ridge
2. Right thumb: RC of Left
Thumb ↓17 Count
S = Small 1 – 17
M = Medium 18 – 22
L = Right
1. Large 23
thumb: RC of or17+or +
Left
 RC for Left Thumb: 17 or +, Table 2 for Right Thumb
MAJOR DIVISION
3.

2. Refer to the table (1) or left thumb

1. Consider first left thumb: RC = 18

Symbol Ridge
Count
S = Small 11 –– 11
17
M = Medium 18
12 –– 22
16
L = Large 17 or +
23

L
L
FINAL CLASSIFICATION

 RC of loop of right little finger

 Things to remember:
 L/L =#5
 L/W= # 5
 W/L = # 10
 W/W= # 5; whorl treated as Ulnar Loop
 Use of whorl for final: only in large group or
collection of prints = 32/32 primary
 No L or W = no final
FINAL CLASSIFICATION

 Rules: Whorl Treated as Ulnar Loop

 RC: left delta to core (right hand)
 RC: right delta to core (left hand)
 RC (X):
left delta (right hand) to core w/ least # of ridg
es distant from delta
.
 RC (X):
right delta (left hand) to core w/ least # of ridg
es distant from delta
.
 RC (d): delta to core of upright loop.
 RC (d):See
horizontal
Exampleloop; nearest core
 Topic: Key Classification

KEY CLASSIFICATION
 First loop appearing from #1 except # 5 & # 10
 Always placed to extreme left of numerator of
classification formula
EXTENSIONS

 used only when filing systems become

 too large or
 Cumbersome
 WCDX Extension: Used for large Whorl Groups such as:
32/32
 W,C,D,X (capital letters) – whorl pattern on index
fingers.
 w, c, d, x (lower case letters) – whorl pattern on all
other fingers.
 Placed above the sub-secondary (instead of using a
second sub-secondary).
EXTENSIONS

 2nd Sub secondary: used when a group of

fingerprints becomes too

 cumbersome and
 unwieldy.
 Placed directly above the Sub-Secondary.
 Use the following chart (based on ridge counts): Index
– 1-5=S, 6-12=M, 13 or +=L; Middle – 1– 8 = S, 9–14 = M,
15 or + = L; Ring – 1–10=S, 11–18=M, 19 or more=L
NCIC CLASSIFICATION

 Eliminates person as suspected wanted

person
 Less subject to error in transmission than
Henry Classification
 Convertible to Henry Classification for
searching fingerprint files
 Printed in straight line of 20 alphabetic &
numeric characters (from #1 - #10)
 2 characters each finger
 Pattern Subgroup Code
Arch Plain Arch AA
  Tented Arch TT
Loop Radial Loop RC + 50
  Ulnar Loop RC; if less
than 10:
precede w/ 0.
Whorl Plain Whorl P + RT next
  Central C +RT
See Example Pocket Loop
  Double Loop d + RT
  Accidental X + RT
Missing or   XX
Amputated
Finger
Completely   SR
Scarred or
Mutilated
Pattern
CLASSIFICATION OF SCARRED PATTERNS
—AMPUTATIONS—MISSING AT BIRTH
Classification of Scarred Patterns

Rule # 1
(So) Scarred
Impression

General Pattern Not Determinable Gen Type

Ridge Tracing Not Determinable Subclassification
Ridge Counting Not determinable Opposite finger
 CLASSIFICATION OF SCARRED PATTERNS
—AMPUTATIONS—MISSING AT BIRTH
Classification of Scarred Patterns

Rule # 2
Partially Scarred
General Type
Not Determinable
Large scar around core Gen. Type of Opposite Finger
General Pattern not determinable Sub classification of Partially
RC or RT determinable Scarred Impressions
CLASSIFICATION OF SCARRED PATTERNS
—AMPUTATIONS—MISSING AT BIRTH
Classification of Scarred Patterns

Rule # 3
Partially Scarred
General Type
Determinable

General Pattern Determinable RT/RC: Opp. finger if of

same Gen Type
Ridge Tracing Not Determinable SR impression: given
Ridge Counting Not determinable probable value if opp. finger
not of same Gen Type
CLASSIFICATION OF SCARRED PATTERNS
—AMPUTATIONS—MISSING AT BIRTH
Classification of Scarred Patterns
Rule # 4
(So) Scarred
Impression: Gen Type
& RT/RC Not
Determinable
General Pattern Not Determinable
RT/RC Not Determinable Whorls Meeting
Opp. Finger Not determinable
Similarly Scarred
 APPLICATION OF RULES
1.
TheIfpattern
the opposite finger
is entirely were an It
obliterated. arch,
could this
haveimpression would
been a small be
whorl,
classified as a.orarch,
a small ulnar b. loop,
radial tented
anarch,
arch,c.orwhorl (with
a tented the same tracing)
arch. 
d. ulnar loop, e. radial loop
 APPLICATION OF RULES
2. If the opposite finger were a small-count loop, this would be
classified as a. loop of fixed count, b. loop of same count, c. loop of
different count, d. loop of opposite count
 APPLICATION OF RULES
3. If the opposite finger were a large-count loop, this impression
would be given the a. count of scarred finger, b. count of the next
finger, c. count of the opposite finger, d. count of the preceding finger
 APPLICATION OF RULES
4. If the opposite finger were scarred in the same fashion or were
amputated or missing, both impressions would be classified as a.
arches, b. ulnar loops with 10 ridge counts, c. radial loops with 10
ridge counts, d. whorls with meeting tracings
 APPLICATION OF RULES
5. If general
The the opposite
type of
finger
the pattern
were a could
whorlhave
this been
wouldloop
be (ulnar
classified
if inasthe
a.
right hand)
whorl with or
meeting
whorl. tracing, b. whorl with inner tracing, c. whorl
with outer tracing, d. whorl with same tracing
 APPLICATION OF RULES
6. If a radial loop were opposite, this would be classified as a. radial
loop (if in the right hand), b. radial loop (if in the left hand), c. ulnar
loop (if in the right hand), d. ulnar loop (if in the left hand)
 APPLICATION OF RULES
7. If ridge
The an arch
count
or tented
can be arch
obtained
werewith
opposite,
a fair this
degree
impression
of accuracy.
would be
classified as a. arch, b. loop, c. whorl, d. SR
 APPLICATION OF RULES
8. If ridge
The ridge
the opposite
count
countcan
cannot
finger
be obtained
were
be determined
a with
loop awith
fair
accurately
adegree
countofof
but
accuracy.
from
it would
6 to 17,
be
classified as a loop,
this impression would
no matter
be given
what
a. that
the opposite
count, b.finger
different
mightcount,
be. c.
opposite count, d. no count
 APPLICATION OF RULES
9. If the count of the opposite loop were 9, the count for this finger
would be given a. Inner (I), b. Outer (O), c. Small (S), d. Medium
(M), e. Large (L) in the sub secondary classification. 
 APPLICATION OF RULES
10. What is the classification of the patterns? a. arches, b. loops, c.
whorls, d. SR
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH

 Rule # 1: 1 or more amputations filed separately

 Rule # 2: Definite & unequivocal statement of

amputations/missing at birth
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 3: 1 finger AMP, classification of opp.
finger – Gen Pattern, RT/RC & referenced to
every other possible classification

AMP
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 4: 2 or more fingers AMP, classifications
identical w/ fingers opp. – no additional
references

AMP AMP AMP

CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 5: 2 AMP opp. each other, classifications
of whorls meeting tracings.

AMP
Whorl, Meeting
AMP
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 6: Missing at birth (MAB), same
treatment with AMP.
 Rule # 7: 10 fingers MAB/AMP -

AMP/ AMP/ AMP/ AMP/ AMP/

MAB MAB MAB MAB MAB

AMP/ AMP/ AMP/ AMP/ AMP/

MAB MAB MAB MAB MAB
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 8: Both hands AMP/MAB, FOOTPRINTS
taken

AMP/
MAB

AMP/
MAB
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 9: Partially AMP (1/2 or ↑ of Pattern
Missing), classif of opp. finger. Filed in
amputation group

Partially
AMP
CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
& FINGERS MISSING AT BIRTH
 Rule # 10: Tip AMP or ↓1/2 of 1st joint AMP,
classif of opp. finger. Filed in nonamputation
group.

Partially
AMP
CLASSIFICATION OF BANDAGED
OR IMPRINTED FINGERS
 Rule # 1: Temporary injury, if possible not taken
until after healing
 Rule # 2: Injured fingers (inked impressions
impossible to secure): classifications of opp.
fingers
 Rule # 3: Only 1 finger lacking, reference searches
conducted in every possible classification
 Rule # 4: ↑ one finger lacking, classifications of
opp. fingers; no reference searches
 Rule # 5: 2 lacking opp. fingers, whorls with
meeting tracings
Topic: How To Take Inked Fingerprints

EQUIPMENT NEEDED
 Inking plate (6 in wide x 14 in long)

 Cardholder

 Printer’s ink (heavy black paste)

 Roller (6 in long & 2 in diameter) Other Supplies

 FP Cardstock: 8 x 8 in
PROCEDURAL MATTERS

 Rolled impressions – upper 10 prints taken

individually
 Rolling of fingers – side-side to obtain all
available ridge detail
 Plain/Fixed impressions – smaller
impressions at bottom of card; taken
simultaneously w/out rolling
 Focal points – clearly printed: accurate
ridge counts & tracings
PROCEDURAL MATTERS

 Subject stands in front of & at forearm's length

from inking plate

 Inking of bulb: from tip to below first joint

 Ink & print each finger separately

 Rolling of thumbs: toward center of subject’s

body (rotated from awkward to easy position)
PROCEDURAL MATTERS

 Rolling of fingers: away from center of subject’s body

(rotated from awkward to easy position)

 Subject: cautioned to relax & refrain to help

operator

 Operator: LEFT of subject when printing RIGHT

HAND; RIGHT of subject when printing LEFT
HAND
Latent Prints
TYPES OF PRINTS
 Patent Prints – visible prints; due to paint, ink,
mud, or dust
TYPES OF PRINTS

 Latent Prints – undetectable until brought out w/

physical or chemical process designed to enhance
latent print residue.
TYPES OF PRINTS

 Plastic Print – created when substrate is pliable

enough at time of contact to record 3D aspects of
friction skin. Surfaces: clay, putty, soft wax,
melted plastic, heavy grease, and tacky paint
DEPOSITION FACTORS

1. Pre-Transfer Conditions – affected by age,

gender, stimuli, occupation, disease, & any
substances touched prior to deposition.
2. Transfer Conditions – also dictate whether
suitable impression will be left
3. Post-Transfer Conditions – a.k.a. environmental
factors; forces that affect the quality of latent
prints after deposition.
SURFACE TYPES
1. Porous Substrate – absorbent

 Paper, cardboard, wood, & other forms of cellulose

 Fingerprints absorb into substrate & are durable
 Amino acids: stationary & not migrate; amino acid
based developing techniques more useful
SURFACE TYPES
2. Nonporous surfaces – not absorbent; repel
moisture & appear polished

 Glass, metal, plastics, lacquered or painted

wood, and rubber
 Susceptible to damage; FP residue on
outermost surface
 Best developing techniques: Cyanoacrylate
(CA), dye stains, powders, & vacuum metal
deposition
SURFACE TYPES
3. Semiporous surfaces – resist & absorb FP
residue

 Glossy cardboard, glossy magazine covers, some

finished wood, and some cellophane
 Treatment: processes intended for both nonporous
& porous surfaces
SURFACE TYPES
4. Textured surfaces – problem of
incomplete contact between friction
ridge skin & surface being touched.

 Fingerprints being discontinuous & lacking

fine detail when developed
 Ex: pebbled plastic
 Treatment: very fine powder or flexible
lifting media
PRODUCTION OF SWEAT
1. Eccrine
2. Apocrine Sudoriferous Glands
3. Sebaceous
TOPIC: Developing Techniques

IMPORTANT PRELIMINARIES
 Elimination prints – inked prints of all members
of household, employees, and any police or
other officials who may have touched objects on
which the latent impressions were found

 Purpose of Development: to make it visible so

that it may be preserved and compared
LATENT PRINT POWDERS
 One of oldest & most common methods of
latent print detection

 Don’t Brush/Powder: dust, greasy prints,

bloody prints & wet prints

 Powder used: contrast color of surface

 Gray: dark-colored surfaces; mirrors/metal
surfaces
 Black: white/light-colored surfaces
LATENT PRINT POWDERS

 Powder used: contrast color of surface

 Aluminum: same as gray
 Gold & red bronze: photograph dark; light colored-
surfaces
 Dragon’s blood: light/dark-colored surface
 Chief faults of beginners: too much powder & too
little brushing
 Prints lifted after photographing
 Prints lifted on rubber tape: reverse position
 Not recommended on paper, cardboard, and newly
finished or unpainted wood
CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
LATENT PRINT IMPRESSIONS

 Handling specimens: tweezers/gloves

 Iodine Fuming:
 Slightheat vaporizes iodine crystals
 Violet fumes
 Fumes absorbed by fatty/oily matter
 Yellowish-brown
 Not permanent; fades when fuming stops
 Photograph prints immediately
 Iodine gun/fuming chamber
CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
LATENT PRINT IMPRESSIONS

 Ninhydrin:
 reactswith primary & secondary amines such as
amino acids & proteins
 Dark purple product a.k.a. Ruhemann’s Purple
 Has developed prints as old as 40 years
 Method: (1) spray, (2) soaking
CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
LATENT PRINT IMPRESSIONS

 Silver Nitrate
 For porous surfaces
 Reacts with silver chloride
 Reddish-brown against background
 Known to wash off traces of fat & oil; should be
applied last
 Methods: (1) Dip specimen in solution, (2) blot & dry
it, (3) expose to light, & (4) photograph latent prints
when contrast is good
CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT OF
LATENT PRINT IMPRESSIONS

 Super glue fuming

 For nonporous surfaces
 A.k.a. cyanoacrylate fuming
 Fumes polymerizes latent prints forming white
deposit
 Method: (1) fuming chamber, (2) fuming wand
(cyanowand), (3) vacuum chamber
OPTICAL METHODS

 Alternate Light Sources

 Forensic Light Source (immediate emission)
 LASER

 Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System (RUVIS)

TOPIC: Preservation Techniques

PRESERVATION TECHNIQUES
 Photographing
 Lifting
 Casting
TOPIC: Comparing Fingerprints: Biometrics

COMPARING FINGERPRINTS: BIOMETRICS

BIOMETRICS PROCESS & COMPONENTS
AFIS (AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT
IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM)
FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
TRADITIONAL METHOD: POINTS COUNTING
 Likeness of general types – Q & S of same
fingerprint pattern;
 Quantitative likeness of ridge characteristics;
 Quantitative likeness of points of identity; &
 Likeness of location of ridge characteristics
 Same relative position in both prints;
 Same relative directions from each other;
 Same relative distance apart; &
 Must have same number of ridges intervening between ridge
of Q & S
FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
ACE-V METHODOLOGY
 FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
ACE-V METHODOLOGY

ANALYSIS – whether sufficient information exists to proceed to

next phase
 FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
ACE-V METHODOLOGY

1.
COMPARISON
Another
2. Determine
Select ANALYSIS:
general
– known
key focal ridge
determine
exemplar
flow &
suitability
characteristics shape
introduced
(Level (Level
for achieving
to
1 Detail)
compare
2 Detail); conclusion
w/ LP;
understand their:
position, direction & relationship; compare this to known exemplar
 FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
ACE-V METHODOLOGY

Guidelines:
EVALUATION
Formulation (1) agreement of making
of conclusion
– a.k.a. onlybased
1st level details
conclusion;
on A & C– not resultsufficient
of for evaluation of
comparison
individualization, (2) agreement of 1st-2nd or 1st-3rd level details – sufficient for evaluation of
individualization
FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
ACE-V METHODOLOGY

 Verification – independent application of ACE

process by subsequent examiner.

 PURPOSE: Support or refute conclusions of original

examiner
 NATURE: Blind verification (no expectation or
knowledge of prior conclusion)
FINGERPRINT COMPARISON
HYPOTHESIS & CONCLUSIONS
POINTS OF IDENTIFICATION
Preparation of Fingerprint Charts for Court Testimony

FINGERPRINT CHART

Superimposition
Visually
Numbers
Degree
10
White
Corresponding
Charting
All
Identifications:
diameters
ridge
border:
of
aids
on
Method:
characteristics
enlargement
chart
court
adequate;
1ridge
similar
½not
not
inMarking
recommended;
left
understanding
characteristics
absolutely
5shapes
for
to
not
need
30
charting
characteristics
important;
may
not
occupy
essential
suffice
nature
ridges
be
in
purposes
2charted;
same
prints
but
ridges
–ofdistorted
w/
helpful
expert
relative
similarly
lines
12
of testimony
conveniences
characteristics
LP
due
&positions
numbered
–numbers;
pressure
readily
in
distinguishable
numbered
enough
patterns
& indicated
twisting
Charts for
w/clockwise
IDshapes
by eye of characteristics drawn in margin not
recommended; ridges vary in actual shape or physical position
RELATED TERMINOLOGIES

 Anthropometry – system of personal identification

through body measurement

 Biometrics – measurement of physical

characteristics, such as fingerprints, DNA, or retinal
patterns, for use in verifying identity of individuals

 Chiroscopy – science that deals w/ study of palm

print in relation to identification
 RELATED TERMINOLOGIES

 Dactylography - study of fingerprints as method of

identification

 Dactyloscopy – comparison of fingerprints for

identification; identification by comparison of
fingerprints: also: classification of fingerprints

 Dermatoglyphics – study of surface markings of skin;

friction ridges
RELATED TERMINOLOGIES
 Edgeoscopy – study of morphological
characteristics of friction ridges; contour or
shape of edges of friction ridges.

 Orthodontology - study of irregularities in

position of the teeth, and of malocclusions, and
their treatment.
RELATED TERMINOLOGIES

 Palmistry - art or practice of divining or telling

fortunes, or of judging of character, by lines &
marks in palm of hand; chiromancy

 Podoscopy – term coined by Wentworth & Wilder

as possible word, if ever needed, referring to
study of soles.
RELATED TERMINOLOGIES
 Polydactyl – hand or foot having more than
normal number of fingers or toes;
supernumerary fingers.

 Poroscopy – study of the pores; established

by Dr. Edmond Locard

 Ridgeology – forensic identification science

that is associated w/ all of ridges on volar
areas & not just on finger tips.
DISCOVERY OF DNA
WHAT IS DNA?
FROM WHOLE TO MICROSCOPIC PARTS
INSIDE A CELL
DNA HELIX
DNA HELIX
BIOLOGICAL EVIDENCES
AMENABLE TO DNA ANALYSIS
 blood and bloodstains
 semen and seminal stains
 hair with follicle/root
 saliva and buccal cells
 tissues and skin cells
 organs
 bone marrow and bones
 teeth
FORENSIC DNA APPLICATIONS
FORENSIC GENETIC MARKERS
FORENSIC DNA TESTING METHODS
OVERVIEW OF FORENSIC CASEWORK
WHY USE DNA
TO HELP SOLVE CRIME?
SOME ESSENTIALS OF DNA

 PCR discovered in 1983 by Karry Mullis, Ph.D.

 1984 – Sir Alec Jeffries discovered variation
w/in DNA sequence of different individuals &
determined this to be used to identify
individuals; known as genetic/DNA
fingerprinting
 1989 – DNA challenge in U.S. court in People
v. Castro trial – initiated TWGDAM (Technical
Working Group on DNA Analysis Methods)
RELATED TERMS TO DNA

 Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA for short)

DNA found inside mitochondria.
Valuable to researchers: code is
passed virtually intact through
maternal line.
Each child receives only his or her
mother's mtDNA, as opposed to
mixture of both parents'
MTDNA INHERITANCE
RELATED TERMS TO DNA
 Ribonucleic acid (RNA)
Single-stranded molecule in most of
its biological roles & has much
shorter chain of nucleotides. 
Complementary base to adenine is
uracil
 Back
PLAIN ARCH
Description
 ridges enter upon 1 side,
 make rise or wave in
center,
 flow/tend to flow out
upon opposite side.
 No (1) looping ridge, (2)
upthrust ridge, (3) angle,
or (4) recurve.
 Indicated by: (1) Capital
“A” in fingers # 2 & 7;
(2) Small “a” in fingers
other than 2 & 7.
 Back
TENTED ARCH

Description
 angle,
 upthrust,
 loop type

(1) “T” in fingers # 2 & 7,

&
(2) “t” in fingers other
than 2 & 7.
 Back
ANGULAR TYPE TENTED ARCH

Description
 2 ridges meeting at
angle;
 1 continuous ridge: not
angle;
 angle: 90 degrees or less.
 Back
UPTHRUST TYPE TENTED ARCH
Description
 ending ridge: ridge
ending in space;
 making definite
change of direction
from basic ridge;
 angle of 45O or more
from base ridge;
 high & thick as other
ridges; &
 dots: not qualified; no
direction.
 Back

LOOP TYPE

Description
 looks like loop,
 2 of 3 basic loop
characteristics,
 lacking 3rd.
RIDGE COUNTING
 # of ridges intervening between delta &
core.
 Red line of reticule of FP glass: insure
absolute accuracy

Back
SHORT BREAKS
 Cause: improper inking, presence of
foreign matter on ridges, enlarged pores,
disease, or worn ridges
 Determination: judgment of classifier
 Basis of determination: whole pattern – (1)
common: not definite ridge ending; (2) not
common: definite ridge ending
 Reference marks: tracing

Back
ANGULAR FORMATION
Angles
 never formed by single ridge
 abutting of 1 ridge vs another

Back
SUFFICIENT RECURVE
 Part of recurving
ridge between
shoulders of loop
 Must be FREE:
appendages abutting
upon outside of
recurve at right
angle

Back
SHOULDERS OF LOOP

 Points at which
recurving ridge
definitely inward or
curves

Back
EXAMPLE: PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

\ W \ W a
#6 #7 #8 #9 #10

/ W / / a
EveNumerator = (#6) 0 + (#2) 16 + (#8) 0 + (#4) 8 + (#10) 0 = 24 + 1 = 25

OdDenominator =(#1) 0 + (#7) 2 + (#3) 0 + (#9) 0 + (#5) 0 = 2 + 1 = 3

25

3 Back
EXAMPLE: SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
(CAPITAL LETTER)

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

\ W \ W a
#6 #7 #8 #9 #10

/ W / / a
Right Index (#2) =
W
Left Index (#7) =
Back W
EXAMPLE: SECONDARY
CLASSIFICATION (SMALL LETTER)
#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

\ W \ W a
#6 #7 #8 #9 #10

/ W / / a
Right Hand = W--a

Left Hand = W--a

Back
WHORL TREATED AS ULNAR
LOOP (RIGHT HAND)

back
WHORL TREATED AS ULNAR
LOOP (LEFT HAND)

back

18.05.2023
WHORL TREATED AS ULNAR LOOP
(ACCIDENTAL: RIGHT HAND)

back
WHORL TREATED AS ULNAR LOOP
(ACCIDENTAL: LEFT HAND)

back
WHORL TREATED AS ULNAR LOOP
(DOUBLE LOOP: RIGHT HAND)

back
WHORL TREATED AS ULNAR LOOP
(DOUBLE LOOP: HORIZONTAL LOOPS)

Right Left
Hand Hand

back
FINAL CLASSIFICATION

Final = 17
Back
NCIC CLASSIFICATION

24 63 31 21 17 18 66 13 18 20

Back
J.C.A.
Johann Christoph Andreas

Back
PRE-TRANSFER CONDITIONS
Condition or health of donor’s friction skin &
amount & type of residue on skin.

Back
TRANSFER CONDITIONS
1. Conditions of surface (substrate) being touched,
including texture, surface area, surface
curvature or shape, surface temperature,
condensation, contaminants, & surface
residues.

2. Pressure applied during contact (deposition

pressure), including lateral force, also
contributes to transfer conditions.

Back
POST-TRANSFER CONDITIONS

Examples of these factors are physical

contact from another surface, water,
humidity, and temperature.

Back
ECCRINE GLANDS

- Distributed throughout body

- Most common: palms of hands & soles of
feet
- Least numerous on neck & back
- Secretes
- Water
- Amino acids
- Proteins
- Lipids

Back
APOCRINE GLANDS
- From coarse hair of armpits & pubic area
- Description of fluid:
- Milky in appearance
- Dried in plastic-like solid
- Fluoresced
- Had an odor
- Includes: proteins, carbohydrates,
cholesterol, iron

Back
SEBACEOUS GLANDS

- Relatively small saclike organs

- Found in the dermis layer of skin
- Found throughout body & associated w/
body hair
- Abundant: scalp, face, anus, nose, mouth,
and external portions of the ear
- Not found on palms & soles
- Prevent sweat evaporation & lubricate hair
& surrounding skin
Back
LATENT PRINT POWDER

Ba
ck
IODINE FUMING

Back
NINHYDRIN

Back
PHOTOGRAPHING
 Film Photography
Camera format: 35-mm SLR
Lens accessories
 Macro lens: flat field lens

(desirable)
 Standard lens: curved field lens

 Close-up lens, reverse ring

adopters, bellow units

PHOTOGRAPHING
 Film Photography

 Light

 Short & long wave UV lights, Visible light

 Techniques: direct, direct reflection, front directional,
transmitted, oblique, bounced

 Filters

 In B/W, color filters for contrast

 Barrier filters for luminescent photography (orange, yellow, &
red)
PHOTOGRAPHING

 Digital Photography

 Camera & Flatbed Scanner

 Resolution: min. of 1000 pixels per inch (PPI)
 Saving formats
 Compressed: Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG)
 Uncompressed: Tagged Information File Format (TIFF),
(RAW)

 Storage media:
 Write-once compact disk-recordable (CD-R)
 Digital versatile disk-recordable (DVD-R)
Back
LEVEL 1 DETAIL (RIDGE FLOW)
 Friction ridge flow

 Pattern type

 General morphological information

Back
LEVEL 2 DETAIL (RIDGE EVENTS)

Back
LEVEL 3 DETAIL (RIDGE DIMENSIONS)

Back