Minutiae and Ridgeology

A closer look at fingerprints.

Ridgeology: The study of the uniqueness of

friction ridge structures and their use for
personal identification.

Minutiae: Points are were the ridge structure

changes.

Ridge Characteristics
Ridge Dots: An isolated ridge whose length
is also the same as its width.

Ridge Characteristics
Bifurcations: The point at which one friction
ridge divides into two friction ridges.

Opposed Bifurcation

Double
Bifurcation

Ridge Characteristics
Trifurcation: The point at which one friction
ridge divides into three friction ridges.

Ridge Characteristics
Ending Ridge: A single friction ridge that
terminates within the friction ridge
structure.

Ridge Characteristics
Ridge Crossing: A point where two ridges
intersect.

Ridge Characteristics
Enclosure (Lakes): A single friction ridge
that bifurcates and rejoins after short while
and continues as a single friction.

Ridge Characteristics
Short Ridges (Islands): Friction ridge of
varying lengths.

Ridge Characteristics
Spurs (hooks): A bifurcation with one short
ridge branching off of a long ridge.

Ridge Characteristics
Bridges: A connecting friction ridge between
parallel running ridges.

AFIS
Automated Fingerprint Identification
System
A computerized system capable of reading,
classifying, matching, and storing
fingerprints for criminal justice
organizations.

Matching
When minutiae on two different prints match,
the are called points of similarity or points
of identification.

Ridge Characteristic Identification

Place fingerprint on one of the balloons on
front counter.
Let dry.

Blow up balloon and identify all minutiae on

both balloons by circling on the balloon
and labeling on the corresponding
notecard.