Fingerprint Principles
According to criminal investigators, fingerprints follow 3 fundamental principles:
A fingerprint is an individual characteristic; no two people have been found
with the exact same fingerprint pattern.
A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the life of an individual;
however, the print itself may change due to permanent scars and diseases.
Fingerprints have general characteristic ridge patterns that allow them to be
systematically identified.
Did you know?
Fingerprint Classes Dactyloscopy is the study of fingerprint identification.
Fingerprints can be classified into three different Police investigators are experts in collecting
groups based on the pattern of the ridges. “dactylograms”, otherwise known as fingerprints.
Arches
Ridges enter on one side & exit on the other side.
Can you identify each pattern?
A B
Plain Arch Tented Arch
Loops
Ridges enter on one side & exit on the same side
(L) (R)
L - Radial Loop L - Ulnar Loop
R - Ulnar Loop R - Radial Loop
C (R)
Whorls (R) (L)
Consists of circles, more than one loop,
or a mixture of pattern types
Central
Plain
Pocket
Whorl
Whorl
D E
Double
Accidental
Loop Fingerprint Factoid
Whorl
Whorl
Approximately 60% of people have loops,
35% have whorls, and 5% have arches.
T. Trimpe 2009 http://sciencespot.net/
Ridge Characteristics How many different ridge characteristics
Fingerprints also have minutiae points, which are can you find on this fingerprint?
points where the ridge structure changes. These are
useful in matching a fingerprint to a specific person.
Ending Short
Core Ridge Ridge
Dot or Fork or
Hook
Island Bifurcation
Eye Delta Bridge
Enclosure Specialty Crossover
http://www.dkfz.de/tbi/projects/bmcv/images/iu_it246_04s_fingerprint1.jpg
The Automated Fingerprint Identification Latent Prints
System (AFIS) is a computerized system
capable of reading, classifying, matching, and Latent prints: Impressions left by friction
storing fingerprints for criminal justice ridge skin on a surface, such as a tool
agencies. It uses computer algorithms to mark all handle, glass, door, etc.
minutia points, cores, and deltas on the print, Prints may be collected by revealing them
which are used to find possible matches with with a dusting of black powder and then
fingerprints in the database.
lifted with a piece of clear tape.
Some investigators use fluorescent powder
and UV lights to help them find latent prints
on multi-colored or dark surfaces.
Magnetic powder can also be used to reveal
latent prints and works on shiny surfaces or
plastic baggies or containers.
The cyanoacrylate fuming method (super
Did you know? glue method) is a procedure that is used to
Camel hair is the most common develop fingerprints on a variety of objects.
animal hair used to make Ninhydrin is a chemical that bonds with the
fingerprint brushes. Now many
amino acids in fingerprints and will produce
brushes are made out of
fiberglass.
a blue or purple color. It works well on
paper or cardboard surfaces.
T. Trimpe 2009 http://sciencespot.net/
