Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
HISTORY OF FINGERPRINTS
Systems of ID
1. Branding and even maiming were used to
mark the criminal;
2. Cutting of hand of thief;
3. Tattooing to identify and prevent desertion
of mercenary soldiers;  o
4. Visual memories (camera eyes) to identify
previously arrested offenders by sight;
5. Photography
6. Bertillon System: (1) photograph, (2)
portrait parle, (3) anthropometry; proven
inaccurate in Will and William West Case
Fingerprints
7. Prehistoric
o Nova Scotia - picture writing of a hand
with ridge patterns
o Babylon – fingerprints were used on
clay tablets for business transactions.
o Ancient China – thumb prints were
found on clay seals.
o 14th century Persia - various official
government papers had fingerprints
(impressions)
8. Personalities:
o Marcello Malpighi (1686) – Treatise:
ridges, spirals, & loops; Malpighi layer
– layer of skin approximately 1.88mm
thick.
o John Evangelist Purkinje (1823) –
Thesis: 9 fingerprint patterns; no
mention about personal identification.
o 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 a person of 57 years.
o Henry Faulds (1880) – Took up study of
skin furrows; contribution: (1)
fingerprint: a means of identification,
and (2) method of classification; first
Scientific Basis of Friction Skin Identification
FINGERPRINT defined
Fingerprint is an impression of the friction
ridge of all or any part of the finger. SWGFAST,
Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver
_1.pdf
1
fingerprint identification of a greasy
fingerprint left on an alcohol bottle.
o Gilbert Thompson (1882) – Used his
thumb print on a document to prevent
forgery – first known use of fingerprints
in the U.S.
Alphonse Bertillon (1882) –
Anthropometry
o Mark Twain (Samuel L. Clemens)
(1883) – Recognized value of
fingerprints to personal identification in
his fiction books.
o Sir Francis Galton (1888) – Fingerprints
as a means of identification in 1880s;
originated the 1 in 64 billion chance of
two fingerprints being the same; ridge
characteristics – minutiae or Galton’s
details
o 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.
o Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose
(1897) - Two Indian fingerprint experts
credited with primary development of
the Henry System of fingerprint
classification (named for their
supervisor, Edward Richard Henry).
o Sir Edward Richard Henry (1901) –
Widely known for his Henry System of
Classification.
o Dr. Henry P. DeForrest (1902) –
Pioneers U.S. fingerprinting.
o Edmond Locard (1918) – Originated the
12 points in arriving at
individualization.
Reference: German, E. (2012, January 21). The
History of Fingerprints. Retrieved May 5, 2012,
from Latent Print Examination: Fingerprints,
Palmprints and Footprints:
http://onin.com/fp/fphistory.html
Tenets of Friction Skin Identification: (1) Unique &
(2) Permanent
Nature of Friction Skin:
1. Undersides of fingers, palms, toes, & soles –
corrugated skin structure: volar skin –
biologist, friction skin – fingerprint
examiner, and fingerprints – public
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
2. Friction skin: (1) ridges - elevated areas,
and (2) furrows - depressions
3. Friction skin; 2 main layers: (1) epidermis –
outer layer, and (2) dermis - the inner layer.
4. Epidermis: (1) generating layer – innermost
layer; creates new cells, and (2) outer layer -
mostly dead cells.
Summary of Formation of Ridges
 General patterns on the volar areas are
determined by heredity and genetic master
plan.
 Friction ridges are randomly formed because
of biological variation.
FINGERPRINT PATTERN INTERPRETATION
In a Nutshell
TYPES OF PATTERNS
I. Arch (5%): a. Plain Arch b. Tented Arch
II. Loop (60%): a. Radial Loop b. Ulnar Loop
III. Whorl (35%): a. Plain Whorl b. Central
Pocket Loop c. Double Loop d. Accidental
Loop
I. ARCHES: Plain Arch and Tented Arch
9. Plain Arch: (1) ridges enter upon one side, (2)
make a rise or wave in the center, (3) and flow
or tend to flow out upon the opposite side.
o No (1) looping ridge, (2) an upthrust
ridge, (3) an angle, or (4) a recurve.
o Indicated by: (1) Capital “A” in fingers
number 2 and 7; (2) Small “a” in fingers
other than 2 and 7.
10. Tented Arch: possesses an (1) angle, (2) an
upthrust, or (3) two of the three basic
characteristics of the loop.
o Angular Type Tented Arch: (1) formed
by two ridges meeting at an angle; (2)
one continuous ridge cannot form an
angle; and (3) angle must be 90 degrees
or less.
o Upthrust Type Tented Arch: (1) an
upthrust must be an ending ridge – a
ridge which ends in space; (2) an upthrust
must make a definite change of direction
from the basic ridge. It must be an angle
of forty-five degrees or more from base
ridge; and (3) an upthrust must be as high
as the surrounding ridges are thick.
 NOTE: Dots have no direction.
o Loop Type (Lacking One
Characteristic): (1) one which
approaches the loop, (2) may have any
2
 Biological variations are due to
environmental influences occurring during
fetal development.
 Environmental influences: pressures,
stresses, and other physical factors such as
disease and nutrition. Thus, no two areas of
friction skin will ever be the same.
 Identical twins may have similar friction
skin patterns but their individual ridge
formations will not be the same.
 Ridges are formed and become unique and
permanent during approximately the fourth
month of fetal life.
Reference: Leo, W. (2004). Fingerprint
Identification. LawTech Custom Publishing, Inc.
combination of two of the three basic
loop characteristics, (3) lacking the third.
Note: These three loop characteristics are,
to repeat: (a) A sufficient recurve. (b) A
delta. (c) A ridge count across a looping
ridge
o Tented arches are indicated by: (1) Capital
“T” in fingers number 2 and 7, and (2) Small
“t” in fingers other than 2 and 7.
II. LOOP PATTERNS: (1) one or more ridges
enter upon either side, (2) recurve, (3) touch or
pass an imaginary line between delta and core,
and (4) pass out or tend to pass out upon the same
side the ridges entered.
11. Basic Requirements of a Loop: (1) Sufficient
recurve, (2) Delta, and (3) Ridge count across
a looping ridge
12. Ridge Counting: Rules to Remember
o Draw a line between delta and core.
o As long as you touch or cross a ridge, you
have a ridge count.
o One ridge must be a looping ridge.
o The delta and core are not included in the
ridge count.
o Fragments and dots are counted as ridges
only if they appear as thick as the
surrounding ridges.
o If you cross a bifurcation, count each of its
arms.
o If the delta is on the only loop, there is no
ridge count.
13. TYPES OF LOOPS
o Ulnar loops flow toward the little finger –
Ulna bone –
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
 Indicated by a diagonal line in the
direction the loop flows.
 Remember: (1) Right hand ulna =
Delta on left side; and (2) Left hand
ulna = Delta on right side.
o Radial loops flow toward the thumb –
Radius bone –
 Indicated by a Capital “R” in fingers
two and seven and by a small “r” in all
other fingers.
 Remember: (1) Right hand radial =
Delta on right side; and (2) Left hand
radial = Delta on left side.
III. WHORL PATTERNS
14. Plain Whorl: (1) consists of one or more
ridges which make or tend to make a
complete circuit, (2) with two deltas, (3)
between which, when an imaginary line is
drawn, at least one recurving ridge within the
inner pattern area is cut or touched.
o Remember: (1) Two deltas and at least
one ridge making a complete circuit or
variant of a circle. (2) An imaginary line
drawn from delta to delta must cut or touch
at least one recurving ridge within the
inner pattern area.
15. Central Pocket Loop Whorl: (1) consists of
at least one recurving ridge, or (2) an
obstruction at right angles to the line of flow,
(3) with two deltas, (4) between which, when
an imaginary line is drawn, no recurving ridge
within the inner pattern area is cut or touched.
o Recurving Type: Similar to plain whorl,
two deltas and at least one ridge making a
complete circuit.
o Difference from a plain whorl – An
imaginary line drawn from delta to delta
must not cut or touch a recurving ridge in
front of the inner delta.
16. Double Loop Whorl: (1) consists of two
separate loop formations, (2) with two
separate, and (3) distinct sets of shoulders and
two deltas.
o Remember: (1) 2 separate loop
formations, (2) 2 separate and distinct sets
of shoulders, and (3) 2 deltas.
o No ridge count is needed for loops in a
double loop whorl.
o The appendage rule for double loops is the
same as that for plain loops.
 Plain loop appendage rule – Sufficient
recurve consists of the space between
the shoulders of a loop, free of any
appendages which abut upon it at a right
angle on the outside of the recurve.
3
o “S” type whorls and “interlocking loops”
are not double loop whorls.
17. Accidental Whorl: (1) consists of a
combination of two different types of patterns
with the exception of the plain arch, (2) with
two or more deltas, or (3) a pattern which
possesses some of the requirements for two or
more different types or a pattern which
conforms which conforms to none of the
definitions.
o Remember: (1) combination of two
different types of patterns with the
exception of the plain arch, (2) two or
more deltas. Only pattern which may
possess two or more deltas, (3) patterns
possessing some of the requirements of
two or more different types, with the
exception of the plain arch.
o Patterns conforming to none of the
definitions.
18. WHORL SYMBOLS: (1) Plain Whorl – W,
(2) Double Loop – D, (3) Central Pocket – C,
(4) Accidental – X
o For classifying and general searching, “W”
is used to indicate all whorl types below
the fingerprint block.
o Type of whorl should be indicated in the
upper left hand corner of the fingerprint
block.
19. WHORL TRACINGS
o Trace from left delta to a point opposite the
right delta.
o Trace from the farthest left delta to a point
opposite the farthest right delta when there
are three or more deltas present.
o Drop down at ending ridges.
o Follow the lower fork at a bifurcation.
o Stop at a point opposite the right delta and
count ridges between that point and the
delta.
o Do not count delta or tracing ridge. The
tracing ridge is the ridge where the tracing
stopped opposite the right delta.
o It is not necessary to count more than three
ridges.
References: (1) The Science of Fingerprints,
FBI, (2) Henry Fingerprint Classification and
Identification, Sirchie Crime Scene Technology
School Youngsville, North Carolina
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
RULES IN THE SELECTION OF TYPELINES, CORE & DELTA
TYPELINES: (1) two innermost ridges that start or
go parallel, (2) diverge and surround or tend to
surround the pattern area: (a) core, (b) delta and (3)
ridges which are used in the classification of a loop.
RULES
1. Typelines are not always two continuous
ridges, but are often broken. When there is a
definite break in a typeline, the ridge
immediately outside of it is considered as its
continuation.
2. When locating typelines, it is necessary to
keep in mind the difference between a
divergence and a bifurcation.
3. The arms of a bifurcation on which the delta
is located cannot be used for typelines.
4. Angles cannot be considered for typelines.
THE DELTA: (1) point on a ridge at or nearest to
the point of divergence of two typelines, and (2) is
located at or directly in front of the point of
divergence.
DELTA RULES
(1) When there are two or more possible
bifurcation deltas that conform to the
definition, the one nearest the core should be
chosen.
(2) The delta may not be located in the middle
of a ridge running between type lines
towards the core, but at the end nearest to
the core.
(3) A dot may be used as a delta. A dot has no
direction.
FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION
CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
- “Blocking Out” step – identifying all 10
fingers as to pattern type.
o Index Fingers (No. 2 and No. 7) – capital
letter to indicate the pattern type except
an ulnar loop: (1) Arch: A, (2) Tented
Arch: T, (3) Radial Loop: R, (4) Ulnar
Loop: in any finger are designated by a
diagonal line slanting in the direction of
the loop, and (5) Whorl: W
o All other fingers – small letter except for
ulnar loops. All whorls – capital “W”: (1)
Small Letter Designation: a, t, r; (2) Ulnar
Loop: Right Hand \, Left Hand /
- The classification formula is composed of
the following divisions: (1) Primary, (2)
Secondary, (3) Subsecondary (may be
replaced by the “Small Letter”
4
(4) The delta may not be located at a bifurcation
that does not open toward the core.
(5) When there is a choice between a
bifurcation and another type of delta, the
bifurcation is selected.
THE CORE: (1) Approximate center of the
pattern. (2) It is placed upon or within the innermost
sufficient recurve.
CORE RULES:
(1) The core is located on the shoulder of the
innermost loop farthest from the delta.
(2) The core is located on the spike or rod in the
center of the innermost recurve, provided
the spike or rod rises high as the shoulders.
(3) If there is an even number of spikes or rods
shoulder-high, the core is located on the end
of the farthest of the innermost spikes from
the delta, whether or not the spike or rod
touches the inside of the recurve.
(4) If there is an odd number of spikes or rods at
shoulder-height, the core is located on the
end of the center spike, whether or not it
touches the inside of the recurve.
(5) Interlocking loops: Join the two loops with
an imaginary recurve, making one loop with
a rod or rod inside. Count the rod(s)
shoulder-high and then fix the core.
Reference: Latent Fingerprints: From Crime Scene
to Courtroom, Sirchie Fingerprint Laboratories, Inc.
classification.), (3) Major, (4) Final, (2) Key
plus Extensions
Classification line: Key, Major, Primary,
Secondary, Sub-secondary, and Final
Primary Classification: Whorl Division – based on
the appearance of whorl.
- Predetermined number: (1) Fingers 1 & 2 =
16; (2) Fingers 3 & 4 = 8; (3) Fingers 5 & 6
= 4; (4) Fingers 7 & 8 = 2; and (5) Fingers 9
& 10 = 1
- Predetermined number will only be
considered if WHORL appears
- Add all the odd numbered fingers plus 1;
add all the even numbered fingers plus 1.
- Evenumerator and Oddenominator
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
- If no whorls are present on the even fingers,
the value given is 1. If no whorls are present
on the odd fingers, the value is 1.
- There are 1,024 possible Primary
combinations.
Secondary Classification.
1. Capital Letter: type of pattern appearing on
the index fingers (Fingers No. 2 and 7).
Capital letters are used to indicate patterns: (1)
A – Plain Arch, (2) T – Tented Arch, (3) R –
Radial Loop, (4) U – Ulnar Loop, (5) W –
Whorl (all types)
a. 25 possible combinations in the
Secondary.
b. Placed to the right of the Primary in the
classification formula.
c. The right hand is placed above the line
and the left hand is below the line.
2. Small Letter: small letter patterns of the
ART: arches, radial loops, and tented arches
on fingers No. 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
a. The dash (-) indicates absence of ART.
b. No dash (-) in thumbs if they are not ART
c. If two or more small letter patterns exist
consecutively, you may use a number to
indicate the series such as:
Sub-secondary Classification: Found thru
examination of fingers 2,3,4,7,8,9.
- Not necessary for most filing systems if a
Small Letter classification was possible.
- Even one Small Letter such as a plain arch,
tented arch or radial loop out of ten fingers
is enough to eliminate this step.
- Only loops (ridge count) and whorls (ridge
trace) are considered.
- Loop: (1) Index: (a) Inner (I) = 1-9, (b)
Outer (O) = 10+; (2) Middle: (a) Inner (I) =
1-10, (b) Outer (O) = 11+; Ring: (a) Inner
(I) = 1-13, (b) Outer (O) = 14+;
- Whorls: “I” (Inner) = ridge trace (RT) going
inward with 3 or more intervening ridges
between RT and Delta; “M” (Meeting) = RT
going inward or outward with less than 3
intervening ridges between RT and Delta;
“O” (Outer) = RT) going outward with 3 or
more intervening ridges between RT and
Delta
- The sub-secondary is brought up to the
classification line to the right of the
Secondary.
The Major Division: concerned only with the
thumbs (Fingers No. 1 and 6).
- There are two formulas for the right thumb.
- These formulas are used when there are
loops or at least one whorl on either thumb.
5
- Eliminated if a Small Letter Classification
was possible.
- When loops and/or whorls are present on the
thumbs, ridge-count the loops and ridge-
trace the whorls.
- If both thumbs are whorls, perform a ridge
tracing on each and place the resulting I, M,
or O on the classification line to the left of
the primary.
- The right hand tracing goes above the line,
and the left hand goes below the line.
- When a Loop appears on either or both
thumbs, proceed as follows:
a. Look at the left thumb first
b. If the ridge count on the left thumb is
from 1 to 11, it is given the
designation of “S” (Small). If the
count is 12 -16, it is an “M”
(Medium), and if the count is 17 or
more, it is an “L” (Large).
c. Now look at the right thumb. When
the left thumb is 16 or less or it is a
whorl, use the following formula:
No. 1: 1 – 11 = S; 12 – 16 = M; 17 or
more = L
- When the left thumb is 17 or over, use the
following: No. 2: 1 – 17 = S; 18 – 22 = M;
23 or more = L
- Note: If the left thumb is a whorl and the
right thumb is a loop, use formula No. 1
above.
The Final: The Final is taken from the little fingers,
Fingers No. 5 and 10.
- If both little fingers are loops, Finger No. 5
has priority.
- When a loop and a whorl occur, the loop is
given priority.
- If no loops occur, a whorl is used.
- A whorl pattern is treated as an ulnar loop
(if no loops are present), and ridges are
counted.
o Thus, a whorl on the right hand is ridge-
counted from the left delta. A whorl on
the left hand is ridge counted from the
right delta.
o Special Whorl Situations:
 Horizontal double loop whorls are
counted from the delta (selected per
the above) to the nearest core.
 A vertical double loop whorl is
counted from the left delta to the
upright loop.
 If there are two or more cores
(accidental whorls), the ridge count
is made from the left delta (right
hand) or right delta (left hand) to
the nearest core.
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
- A loop on Finger No. 5 eliminates the need
to ridge-count a whorl on Finger No. 10.
- Note: If Fingers No. 5 and 10 are arches or
tented arches, there is no final
The Key: found by ridge-counting the first loop
appearing on the fingerprint record card – beginning
with the right thumb – exclusive of the little fingers
(which are used for the Final). The Key, no matter
where it is found, is always placed to the extreme
left of the numerator of the classification formula:
Extensions: used only when filing systems become
(1) too large or (2) cumbersome
- WCDX Extension: Used for large Whorl
Groups such as: 32/32
o W,C,D,X (capital letters) – whorl
pattern on index fingers.
o w, c, d, x (lower case letters) – whorl
pattern on all other fingers.
o Placed above the sub-secondary (instead
of using a second sub-secondary).
Second Sub-Secondary: used when a group of
fingerprints becomes too (1) cumbersome and (2)
unwieldy.
- Placed directly above the Sub-Secondary.
Classification of Scarred Patterns—Amputations—Missing at Birth
Classification of scarred patterns
Rule 1. (So) Scarred Impression –
Characteristics:
- general type of pattern; or
- ridge tracing; or cannot be determined with reasonable accuracy
- ridge count
Classification: general classification and subclassification is that of the corresponding finger of the
other hand.
Rule 2. Partially Scarred (general type
cannot be determined) –
Characteristics:
- large scar around the core
- general type cannot be determined
with reasonable accuracy
- ridges can be accurately
subclassified by ridge tracings or
counting
Characteristics: primary value of the
pattern of the corresponding finger and the
subclassification value as indicated by the
ridges of partially scarred impressions.
Rule 3. Partially Scarred (general type can be
determined) –
Characteristics:
6
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
The NCIC Classification System: second
classification system currently in use in the U.S.
- National Crime Information Center (NCIC)
Classification System.
- Computerized database that allows law
enforcement agencies nationwide access to
among other thing, wanted bulletins and
warrants for outstanding suspects and
fugitives.
- Developed and used as a short cut to the
Henry System; individual suspected of being
a subject of want or warrant could be
eliminated quickly.
- Letter or Number Codes: (1) Plain arch=AA,
(2) Tented arch=TT, (3) Ulnar loop=The
ridge count, (4) Radial loop=The ridge
count plus 50, (5) Plain whorl=P plus the
tracing I, M, or O, (6) Central Pocket
loop=C plus the tracing I, M, or O, (7)
Double loop whorl =small d plus tracing
I, M, or O, (8) Accidental=X plus the
tracing, I, M, or O, (9) Missing finger=XX,
(10) Scar or mutilation=SR
- general type of pattern can be
determined with reasonable
accuracy;
- ridges cannot be traced or counted so
as to fall within the proper
subsecondary classification
Classification:
 ridge count or tracing value of the
corresponding finger of the other
hand, if the corresponding finger is
of the same general type.
 scarred impression should be given
the probable value and referenced to
all other possibilities, If the
corresponding finger is not of the
same general type.
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
Rule 4. (So) Scarred (general type and ridge
tracing and count cannot be determined) –
Characteristics:
- general type of pattern and ridge
tracing or count cannot be
determined with reasonable
accuracy;
- corresponding finger of the other
hand is similarly scarred.
Classification: whorls with meeting
tracings.
Application of the Rule
1. It looks like any pattern
2. If opposite finger is
a. an arch or tented arch or whorl,
classification is arch, tented arch, or
whorl (with the same tracing). (Rule
1)
b. small-count loop, classification is
loop of the same count. (Rule 1)
c. scarred in the same fashion or
were amputated or missing,
classification is whorls with meeting
tracings. (Rule 4)
Classification of amputations and fingers missing
at birth
Rule 1. Amputation Group; Statement of
Amputation or Missing of Finger
- Separate filing of fingerprint cards
having one or more amputations
- (Amputation) Card must contain
express statement of subject about
amputation of finger or missing of
finger since birth.
Rule 2. One Amputation; Classification
Corresponds to Opposite Finger
- If one finger is amputated,
classification corresponds with the
opposite finger and referenced to
every other possible classification.
Rule 3. Two or More Amputations;
Classification Corresponds to Opposite
Fingers
- If two or more fingers are amputated,
classification corresponds with the
opposite fingers and with no
additional references.
Rule 4. Opposite Amputated Fingers;
Classification is whorls with meeting tracings.
- If amputated fingers are opposite
each other, classification is whorls
with meeting tracings.
Rule 5. Missing Fingers Treated as
Amputations
Rule 6. All 10 Fingers Amputated or Missing
at Birth
7
- If all 10 fingers are amputated or missing
at birth, classification is:
M 32 W MMM.
M 32 W MMM
Rule 7. Both Hands Amputated or Missing at
Birth
- If both hands are amputated or
missing at birth, footprints should be
taken, i.e., if the police maintains a
footprint file such as the FBI.
Rule 8. Partially Amputated Fingers
- Partially amputated fingers are left to
the discretion of the classifier as
there was no definite rule to this
effect.
- General Guidelines
 Half or more than half of
the pattern area missing:
classification of the opposite
finger.
 Two or more fingers with
half or more than half of the
pattern area missing.
Classification of the opposite
fingers and governed by the
rules concerning amputations.
 Tip Amputation (less than
half of the first joint
amputated) – classified as it
appears and referenced to the
opposite finger.
Classification of bandaged or imprinted fingers
Rule 1. Recently Injured, Bandaged Not
Sufficient to File Fingerprint Card
- If the injury is temporary, and if
possible, these prints should not be
taken until after healing.
Rule 2. Injured Fingers Impossible to Ink
- If injured fingers are impossible to
ink, classification of unprinted
fingers correspond with the opposite
fingers.
- If injured fingers which are
impossible to ink, classification is
whorls with meeting tracings.
Reference: (1)Latent Fingerprints: From Crime
Scene to Courtroom, Sirchie Fingerprint
Laboratories, Inc. (2) Leo, William, Fingerprint
Identification, LawTech Custom Publishing, Inc.
(3) Federal Bureau of Investigation, The Science of
Fingerprints, United States Government Printing
Office.
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
FINGERPRINT RECORDING
(Methods and Recommended Procedures)
Some methods:
(1) an ink slab and roller;
(2) PRINTMATIC™ Roller;
(3) Porelon® Pads, PRINTMATIC™ Impeccable
Ceramic, Thermoplastic and Flawless Pads; and
(4) KlearInk™ Ceramic Pads.
WORK TABLE HEIGHT: 39" from the floor.
CARD SIZE: 8" x 8"
PREPARING THE INK SLAB
Slab and Roller Method:
- Amount of ink: about ¼" (0.6cm)
- Roller is lifted off the slab after each
stoke and returned to starting point
- Do not use a back-and-forth motion
with the roller.
- Repeat several times until a thin film
of ink forms on roller.
LATENT PRINT DEVELOPMENT
- Purpose of developing fingerprints:
to make is visible so that it may be preserved
and compared.
- Types of fingerprints: (1) visible, (2)
plastic, or (3) latent prints.
Composition of Latent Fingerprints: Types of
Glands
1. ECCRINE GLANDS – found all over the
body but higher density on friction ridge
surfaces (palms & soles). Secretions: mostly
water, amino acids, proteins, and lipids.
2. SEBACEOUS GLANDS – dermis layer of
skin; found throughout the body; associated
with body hair: on scalp, face, anus, nose,
mouth, and external portions of ear.
3. APOCRINE GLANDS – secretions from
coarse hair of armpits and pubic area.
POWDERING METHOD
Types of Powders
c. powder is composed of 98%
Anthracene
d. and 1% aluminum dust. It is suitable
for rough, contaminated and multi-
colored surfaces. Latent prints treated
with this powder can only be seen after
exposing the print to radiation.
8
INKING AND ROLLING THE FINGERS
- To avoid smearing: inking and
rolling the fingers on the right hand.
- Each finger is inked and rolled
individually
- After the right hand, ink and roll the
fingers on the left hand.
- Record the plain impressions of both
hands.
- Thumbs in (toward body of subject)
- Other fingers out (away from body
of subject)
Reference: Technical Information: Fingerprint
Taking Procedures and Methods, SIRCHIE®
Laboratories, Inc., Youngsville, N.C.
Powder can be classified into two:
traditional and advanced.
1. Traditional Powder – includes black, white,
silver, red, and gray. The choice of powder
depends on the kinds of surface on which
the print is found. But when in doubt as to
which powder is used, a practical rule of
thumb is to make a test print on the same or
similar surface first.
2. Advanced Powders – include, but are not
limited to the following:
a. Magnetic Powders – are composed
of some 98% iron filings with only one
to two percent (1-2%) developing
powder. They can develop better prints
on the following surfaces: shiny
magazine covers, boxes with a coated
surface, and some plastic materials.
b. Fluorescent Powder – Fluorescent
e. Bichromatic Powder – Bichromatic
powder can be used on either light or
dark surface. It appears black when used
on a light colored surface and silver on a
dark colored surface. When a print
developed by a bichromatic powder is
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com
lifted with tape and placed on a white
backing card, the latent print will appear
dark.
Magneta Flake – coated with milled iron-
flaked powder with amino acid to a specific
weight. Every particle of the powder is
guaranteed to react with latent prints as it
contains amino acid.
Chemical Method of Developing Latent Prints
In choosing a chemical developing
technique, the investigator must be aware of the
type of surfaces upon which latent prints are
suspected to be present. For this purpose, surfaces
are divided into three:
1. Porous surface – where water can absorb
into
2. Non-porous surface – water cannot
absorb into
3. Semi-porous surface – water is
superficially absorbed such as
Styrofoam.
Porous Surfaces
1. Iodine Fuming – used for paper, cardboard
and similar surfaces. Iodine crystals are
converted to vapors without going into the
process of liquefication when subjected to
heat, a process known as sublimation. When
using this process, an investigator should
have a ready camera to take photograph of
the developed prints as the same is not
permanent. It should be used before
Ninhydrin or silver nitrate.
2. Ninhydrin – prints treated with this chemical
will appear purple in color. In performing
this developing technique, paper and other
similar surfaces are sprayed, soaked or
brushed with Ninhydrin solution.
Development is seen with ridges of purple
color gradually appearing. Care should be
taken not to handle treated material with
bare hands to avoid investigator’s prints
from contaminating into the material.
3. Physical Developer – a silver-based reagent
that reacts with components of fingerprint
residue. The reaction is shown by gray color
reaction on paper, cardboard, and similar
surfaces. Physical developer is usually used
on paper previously treated with Ninhydrin.
4. Silver Nitrate – This technique should be
used as a last process. This is done by
spraying, soaking or brushing the materials
with silver nitrate solution. Development
takes place after exposing the treated
material with strong light such as ultraviolet
9
light. As soon as the prints appear,
photograph should be taken immediately as
the reaction will continue, resulting to paper
and other similar surfaces turning into dark.
Non-Porous Surfaces
Super Glue Fuming (Cyanoacrylate Ester)
Super glue is a household name for bulldog,
mighty bond, quicktite and other adhesive of
cyanoacrylate composition available in the market.
When heated, cyanoacrylate fumes are released and
polymerized on latent prints. Development is seen
as a white blob.
MISCELLANEOUS
Fingerprint Classification Systems
1. The Henry Classification System –
developed by Henry in the late 1800s.
2. Icnofalangometric System – the original
name of the system developed by Vucetich
in 1891
3. Dactiloscopy – the new name of the system
developed by Vucetich.
4. The Oloriz System of Classification –
developed by Oloriz. Identakey – developed
in the 1930s by G. Tyler Mairs.
5. The American System of Fingerprint
Classification – developed by Parke in
1903.
6. The Conley System. The Flack-Conley
System – developed in 1906 in New Jersey,
an improved Conley System.
7. NCIC Fingerprint Classification System.
Collins System – a classification system for
single fingerprints used in Scotland Yard in
the early 1900s.
8. Jorgensen System – a classification system
for single fingerprints used in the early
1900s.
9. Battley System – a classification system for
single fingerprints used in the 1930s.
Related Friction Ridge Identification
Poroscopy – refers to the examination of the shape,
size and arrangement of the small opening on
friction ridge through which body fluids are
secreted or released.
Podoscopy – a term coined by Wilder and
Wentwrth which refers to the examination of the
soles and their significance in personal
identification.
 Review Notes in Fingerprint Identification 10
Compiled by MELCON S. LAPINA, MSCrim www.criminologyreviewer.weebly.com

Chiroscopy – It is the examination and thorough

study fo the palms of the human hand as a point in
identifying persons.
Edgeoscopy – the study of the morphological
characteristics of friction ridges; shape or contour of
the edges of friction ridges.
Ridgeology – describes the individualization
process of any area of friction skin using all
available detail.

Reference

 Agas, Bautista, Guevara, and Tatoy, Ma.

Paulina Corazon S., Criminalistics, 2009,
Wiseman’s Books Trading, Inc., Quezon
City.
 Asbaugh, David R., Ridgeology: Modern
Evaluative Friction Ridge Identification,
Forensic Identifciation Support Section,
Royal Canadian Mounted Police.