1. Fingerprints Chapter 14 Things you’ll learn… Ridge Characteristics
Loops
Whorls
Arches
Dusting
Lifting
Ninhydrin
Super Glue
Rhodamine 6G

2. Fingerprinting: History
Individuals were first identified by their handwriting.
Alphonse Bertillon introduced a means of identification
in 1883, anthropometrics, a system of eleven (or 12???)
precise body measurements.
Neither was very effective
The New York City Civil Service Commission
was the first to use fingerprints regularly for identification
in 1901.

3. Alphonse Bertillon
1883 Created the first systematic system of individual classification & identification
Detailed description of subject, full-length & profile photographs & a system of precise body measurements (anthropometrics)
1903 Will West was in jail, when they tried to put him in jail Will West in prison even though he was there….?
Bertillon’s method went belly-up; therefore, fingerprints rule!

4. Fundamental Principles of Fingerprinting as a Means of Identification
Based on permanence and individuality
A fingerprint is an individual characteristic:
no two fingers have the same exact set of
ridge characteristics
individuality is determined by the ridges or
minutia; the type, number and location of the
characteristics determines the identity
fingerprints develop during gestation

5. Fundamental Principles, continued
A fingerprint will remain unchanged over the lifetime
of an individual; slight changes occur only due to
growth
ridges are formed by the papillae, the layer of
skin between the dermis and the epidermis
cross section of skin

6. Ridge Detail
during the third and fourth month of prenatal development, the sweat glands on the palms of hands and soles of feet form ducts which exit the body and form small pods on the skin, between the dermis and epidermis
the pods link together to form ridges
not continuous ridges, but link at various places
causing some ridges to stop and others to split
and others to split and rejoin

7. Fundamental Principles, continued
3. Fingerprints have general ridge characteristics that can be classified
loops, whorls and arcs
60-65% loops; 30-35% whorls; 5% arcs
sub-patterns: Galton characteristics
focal points: delta and core

8. Ridge Detail, continued
these ridge characteristics do NOT reflect gender, race
or age
once formed, the ridge characteristics do NOT change unless deformed by deep scarring or some rare disease
these formations are individual and provide a means
of identification from fingerprints, palm prints and
footprints

9. Ridge Detail, continued
Factors affecting fingerprints:
growth:
expansion of fingerprints
habits: wearing down of ridges
occupation
hobbies
wounds, burns, calluses, corns, diseases
placement of fingers
angle
weight
length

10. Basic patterns
the three basic patterns are NOT specific to any one individual, but are common to all and should not be confused with individual ridge characteristics
(Galton and minutia)
pattern types do NOT reflect gender, race or age
(loop, arch, whorl)
pattern type can vary from finger to finger, toe to toe,
palm to palm and sole to sole on the same
individual

11. Classes of Fingerprints
Loops- ridge lines that enter from one side of the pattern & curve around to exit from the same side of the pattern
Whorl- ridge patterns that are generally rounded or circular in shape and have two deltas
Arch- ridge lines that enter the print from one side & flow out the other; no delta
Core- approximate center of pattern; not
considered a ridge characteristic
Delta- ridge point at or nearest the type-line
divergence and located at or
directly in front of the point of
divergence

12. Use these analogies to
determine fingerprint pattern types.

14. Loop: 60-65%
One or more ridges entering from one side of print, recurving and
exiting from the same side
pattern area is surrounded
by two divergent ridges
that form a delta
Radial loop: opens
toward
the thumb
Ulna loop: opens
the little finger

15. Loops on right index
Ulna loop Radial loop

17. Whorl: 30-35% must have two deltas
Divided into four groups:
plain
central pocket
double loop
accidental
plain and central pocket must
have one ridge that makes a
complete circuit
double loop whorl is made up of
two loops
accidental whorls are combinations of
two or more patterns (except the plain arc)
or are patterns not covered by other categories

20. Arch: 5%, has no delta Two sub categories: plain tented
Plain: ridges enter from one
side and exit the other;
simplest of all patterns;
uncommon
Tented: there is a sharp
uprising in center of arch;
like a tent pole

21. Making a distinction
By determining the pattern type on each finger and the
position and distances between certain areas within the
pattern, an alphabetical and/or numerical classification can
be assigned
dot
fork
enclosure
plain arch loop whorl
An individual’s classifications can be filed by pattern type
rather than by name

22. Classic Fingerprint Categories
loop double loop whorl plain whorl
plain whorl plain arch tented arch

23. TRY THESE loop double loop central pocket loop whorl
plain whorl plain arch tented arch

24. TRY THESE
whorl loop

25. TRY THESE
tented arch 
central pocket
loop whorl 
accidental whorl
plain arch

26. What’s this?

27. This is a whorl

28. What kind of a whorl?

29. A plain whorl!!

30. What’s this?

31. It’s a loop

32. What’s this?

33. It’s a double loop whorl

34. What are these? 2 1 3 4

35. 1 3 2 4
1) loop
2) arch
3) whorl
4) arch

36. Galton characteristics
Bifurcation: fork
Dot or island
Ending ridge
Enclosure
Short ridge

37. Galton characteristics, continued
A spur
A trifurcation
A crossover
An overlap

38. Some Galton basics

39. Ridge Characteristics (Minutiae)
Bifurcation (B)
Island (C)
Ridge ending (A,D,E,F & G)
Enclosure (not present in photo)

40. What are these? 4 1 2 3

41. Did you see these? 4 short ridge 1 bifurcation 2 3
enclosure ending ridge

42. Individual characteristics used for identification
Figure 2. from Basic Latent Print Development by James P. Mock
A: ending ridge E: island or dot
B: bifurcation F: bifurcation
C: short ridge G: bifurcation
D: ending ridge H: delta

43. Analyze your own thumb print
What is the major classification?
Can you identify Galton ridge characteristics or minutia in your print?

44. Three kinds of crime-scene fingerprints:
Latent print- made by deposits of oils and/or perspiration. It is invisible to naked eye.
Patent print- finger deposits a visible material such as ink, dirt or blood onto a surface.
Plastic print- impressed in a soft surface such as wax, soap or putty.

45. The formation of latent prints
all latent prints are left as a result of residue on the ridge detail or on the surface touched.
residue comes in many forms from many sources
body secretions are the main source, sweat
being the most common followed by
sebaceous oils produced by hair follicles
oil or grease from other objects touched
transfer occurs when the residue on the ridge
comes into contact with an object and remains,
leaving an impression of the ridge characteristics

46. The formation of latent prints, continued
the amount of the various types of residue can vary widely
body secretions vary with humidity,
temperature, time of day, foods eaten,
clothes worn, activity
objects handled will contain varying amounts
of residue and the amount that adheres to
the ridges can also vary
because of all of these factors, some latent prints
will develop with great contrast and others will not

47. How long will a fingerprint last?
the length of time a fingerprint will last is affected by the amount and type of residue
large amounts of residue may last longer
certain types of residue will last longer
on certain surfaces
external conditions will help destroy and/or preserve
the print
there is currently NO accurate method to determine
the age of a latent fingerprint

48. Location techniques victim or witness common sense flashlight
thoroughness, patience and perseverance

49. Upon arrival at the Crime Scene
secure the scene
photograph everything
get elimination prints
types of surfaces to consider are anything that
may have been touched
knowing which surfaces yield good latent prints
comes with experience
glass and mirrors are good;
leather and vinyl are not very good

50. Upon arrival at the Crime Scene, continued
do not assume that a surface will not receive or hold a fingerprint; try everything
start preliminary search at the point of entry
follow the suspect’s actions to the object(s) of attack
continue search to point of exit (actual and/or
attempted); look for pry marks etc.
use a good strong flashlight to closely examine
surfaces for patent (visible) prints, impressions in surfaces (plastic prints) and disturbances in dust; shine the light parallel to the surface (oblique)

51. Upon arrival at the Crime Scene, continued
wet surfaces should be allowed to dry before processing
be aware of the effects of gloved hands
look for glove impressions
some suspect’s will remove gloves for better dexterity
handle evidence in a manner in which it would not
normally be handled
do not use the handle
the edge of an envelope, etc

52. Patent/Visible Fingerprints
Take a photograph
Dust with appropriate powder, if necessary
white on dark surfaces
black on light surfaces
fluorescent when needed
magnetic anytime!
Lift with tape or hinged lifters

53. Example of Patent Print:
Hand print

54. Processing
most patent prints and all plastic prints should be recovered using photographs or by silicon casting
powders work best on latent prints and some patent prints
use of powders is the most common method of developing latent fingerprints
powders are easy to use and highly successful
which powder and which technique to use is of
personal preference

55. Powders
basic types:
black, Bichromatic (black with silver), or
magnetic
also fluorescent colors and white or light
use of different types on different surfaces comes
with experience and preference
texture of surface
color of surface
keep in mind that use of colors other than black,
May necessitate photographic reversal because
many automated systems search for black on white
background

56. Powders, continued powders should be stored in wide mouthed jars
to accommodate the width of the brush
Figure 4. Powder jars should be wide enough to allow brushes to move in and out freely and to be no more than halt full of powder.
from Basic Latent Print Development by James P. Mock
jars should only be filled half way to avoid spillage

57. Processing with powders
Before applying powder to the brush, slowly twirl it to loosen the bristles
Lightly dap the bristles in the powder and slowly rotate the brush several times
Only a small amount of powder should be applied to the brush
Remove the brush from the bottle; twirl it again outside the bottle to remove excess
While processing the surface, twirl the brush very lightly brushing the bristles across the surface; as the ridge detail becomes apparent, twirl the brush in the direction of the ridge flow

58. Processing with powders, continued

59. Processing with powders, continued
If it is necessary to re-apply powder during processing, repeat what was just described
If it appears that you are obtaining less contrast with each brush stroke: STOP!! You are wiping away the print. Recover immediately.
Common problems:
too much powder: fills in ridge detail
too many brush strokes: destroys the print

60. Dusting

61. Collection/Recovery of Fingerprints as Evidence
ALWAYS TAKE A PHOTO
FIRST!!!!

62. Recovery Photograph first!! Lift with fingerprint lifting tape
be aware of textured surfaces…prints may not lift successfully
Transparent lifters: thin sheets of clear acetate with adhesive on one side; available in several sizes; some come hinged
Rubber lifters are specially made with a thin piece of rubber covered by an acetate sheet that works well on curved and textured surfaces

63. Recovery, continued
Fingerprint tape: in rolls; pre-stretched to eliminate air bubbles; available frosted also
Two methods of holding fingerprint tape
from Basic Latent Print Development by James P. Mock

64. Applying fingerprint tape
from Basic Latent Print Development by James P. Mock

65. Methods of applying tape to a surface
Work left to right from the
center out; then right to left
from the center out
Textured surfaces may
prevent tape from coming
into firm contact with the
print
Work from one side
across to the other
from Basic Latent Print Development by James P. Mock

66. Leaving tabs for the next application
from Basic Latent Print Development by James P. Mock

67. Documenting Lifted prints
the date, time, address, report number,
processor’s name and agency, a detailed
description of where the print was lifted should
be noted on the card or lifter
most cards have pre-printed areas for information

68. Methods of Detecting Latent Fingerprints for Collection
Iodine Fuming- a technique for visualizing latent prints by exposing them to iodine
Ninhydrin- a chemical reagent used to develop latent prints on porous materials by reacting with amino acids in perspiration
Physical Developer- a silver-based reagent formulated to develop latent prints on porous surfaces
If one wishes to use all previously mentioned development methods on the same surface, the proper sequence is iodine, ninhydrin & physical developer

69. Chemical techniques
Porous surfaces such as paper; these techniques may all be used, but must be done in the following order:
iodine: iodine crystals are vaporized and
applied by using a fuming chamber or heat gun
fumes react with fatty materials in residue
developed ridge detail appears reddish
fades quickly (within minutes)
can be redeveloped with additional applications
fumes are toxic and corrosive

70. Chemical techniques, continued
Ninhydrin: crystal form or in solution
reacts with amino acids in print residue
ridge detail appears red/blue in color
requires photographs as it fades within months
may or may not redevelop with additional
application
solution can be toxic and flammable
This technique is very productive for paper and cardboard

71. Fingerprints visualized by iodine fuming

72. Chemical techniques, continued
silver nitrate: spray
reacts with salts within residue
surface is sprayed and exposed to UV light
ridge detail produces dark colored print
prints must be photographed
development might take hours
prints must be kept in UV light proof container after being photographed
AgNO3 is harmful to humans

73. Chemical techniques, Non-porous surfaces
Cyanoacrylate: CA (Super Glue)
purchased as liquid or as pre-packaged applicator
surfaces to be treated are placed in a sealed
container and exposed to the CA vapor for a short
period of time (usually less than an hour)
CA reacts with water and other residues within print
ridge detail produces a white colored print; usually
quite faint
must be photographed immediately; sometimes
print can be lifted
CA vapor irritates mucous membranes (eyes, throat, nose)
the most productive chemical treatment for non-porous
surfaces such as plastic, vinyl, and metal

74. Fuming Chamber

75. Rhodamine 6G
Chemical method used for developing prints on nonporous surfaces

76. PROCEDURE OF APPLICATION Rhodamine 6G
Spray, dip, or use a squirt bottle to apply the Rhodamine solution to the item.
Examination under a laser or Forensic Light Source at 495 nm to 540 nm. Absorption Max is at 525 nm. Use orange or red colored goggles.
Allow the item to air dry.
Photograph results using an orange or bandpass 550(BP35) barrier filter

77. Rhodamine 6G

78. Super glue and R6G

79. Prints recovered from a postcard

80. Visualizing fingerprints using alternate light sources

81. Fingerprints viewed under fluorescent light

82. Fluorescent hand palm print

83. Plastic Fingerprints Take a photograph!! Try to take the whole print…
loosen putty, scrap paint…
whatever it takes!!

84. Taking fingerprints Can be rolled using ink
Can be scanned directly into a computer system

85. Fingerprint Cards

86. Scanning in fingerprints

87. Partial Prints
As recent as 1995 International fingerprint community declared any print can identify a criminal if it shows an adequate number of ridge edges
No predetermined minimum number of ridge edges, to date

88. Preservation of Fingerprints

89. Photographs
celluloid
digital
Computerized
scanned images of photographs
and/or cards and lifts
Fingerprint cards on file
Taped lifts filed

90. Classification Systems
Primary: the Henry system
fingerprints are classified in pairs
all fingerprint cards are grouped into 1024 categories; based presence of whorl pattern
complicated and time consuming
we will NOT be using the Henry system!!
AFIS: Automated Fingerprint Identification System:
computer scans and digitally encodes fingerprints and then
stores them
more accurate and much faster

91. Advance the Science at Your Educational Series in existing or new classroom training environments
Learn how to operate real crime lab equipment with proper detection techniques.
Study fingerprint history and ID pioneers. Explore the advances and evolution of criminal identification.
Complete relevant and challenging quizzes and assignments.

92. Demonstrate and reinforce identification con- cepts with interactive classroom activities. Utilize detailed charts and reproducible graphics to understand important training points.
Gain skills in detecting, developing and identi- fying latent fingerprint evidence.
Select and prepare activities, demonstrations and assignments for students of all ages.
For-real forensics, not like on television, like at the crime scene ...
Visit the Fingerprint Training Website at

93. Fingerprint supplies
Kinderprint.com
Law Crimescene.com