Dactyloscopy

(Personal Identification)
 Popular Cases Involving Criminalistics

Mapp v Ohio (1961) The court ruled that the evidence obtained in the
search was inadmissable because it was seized in an illegal
search. In ruling this way the court created the "exclusionary rule"
which makes illegally obtained evidence inadmissable in court.
This ruling is known as the “Fruit of Poisonous Tree Doctrine”.

Gideon v Wainwright (1963) The Court ruled that all citizens must be
provided a lawyer if they cannot afford one. This is regardless of
the type of crime.

Miranda v Arizona (1966) The Court ruled that citizens must be informed
of their rights prior to questioning. Any evidence or statement
obtained prior to a suspect being read his/her rights is inadmissible.
This has led to what is commonly referred to as one's "Miranda Rights"
having to be read upon questioning or arrest.
 HISTORICAL
DEVELOPMENTS
 Pioneers of
Forensic Science
 Mathieu J. B. Orfila
 Many forensic science specialties can
be traced back
to the medico legal institutes of
Europe
 One of the most renowned medico
legalist of the
time was Mathieu Orfila (1787-1853)
 He is best known for his
involvement in the “Lafarge”
arsenic poisoning case in France
 He referred to as the
“Father of Forensic Toxicology”
 Hans Gross
A magistrate and law professor in Austria
 Known for his publications and for
introducing the word
“criminalistics”
 In
1893, published a Handbook for
Magistrates that
greatly influenced the practice of criminal
investigations
 Alphonse Bertillon
 Developed an anthropometric
system for
human identification in the 1890s
 The limitations of this system was
shown by its inability to distinguish
between two Leavenworth, Kansas,
penitentiary prisoners, Will West &
William West
 The Bertillon system was eventually
replaced by the fingerprint system
being developed by Francis Galton,
William Hershel, Edward Henry &
others in the late 1800s
Development of
Forensic Science
Laboratories
 Professor R. A. Riess

 Established a forensic photography

laboratory at the University
of Lausanne, Switzerland in
1909

Edmond Locard
 Established one of the world’s
first police crime laboratories
in Lyon, France in 1910
 Known for the Locard Exchange
Principle
August Vollmer

 Established a forensic laboratory at the Los Angeles Police

Department in 1923

Colonel Calvin Goddard

 Established a crime detection laboratory at Chicago’s

Northwestern University in 1929
 Perfected the comparison microscope for bullet and cartridge case
examinations
Edgar Hoover
 Established the Federal
Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) forensic laboratory
in 1932
New York City (NYC)
 The NYC Police
Department Crime
laboratory was
established in 1934
 Forensic Science Specialties

Forensic Pathology
 Pathology is a specialty area of medicine
 Pathology is the study of diseases and the bodily
changes caused by the diseases
 Forensic pathologists determine the
cause of death (the medical reason
why a person died; e.g. asphyxiation)
 Forensic pathologists determine
the manner of death (the circum-
stances causing death; e.g. homicide)
Forensic Entomology
 Entomology is a branch of biology devoted to the
study
of insects
 Forensic entomologists use insects as investigative
aids
 By examining insects, larvae or pupae associated
with a corpse, knowing the life cycle of insects, and
by using the existing environmental factors, forensic
entomologists can estimate the time of death
Forensic Odontology
 Odontology is the study of the physiology, anatomy,
and
pathology of teeth
 Forensic odontologists perform two types of analyses
involving the human dentition.
 Identify human remains by comparing pre-mortem
and
postmortem dental X-rays.
 Bite mark comparisons (crime scene marks to
known
bite marks)
Forensic Anthropology
 Physical
Anthropology is the
science of the
human skeleton
and how it has
evolved over
time.
Forensic anthropologists
 Can determine whether found remains are
of human or animal origin
 Reconstruct the skeleton from found remains
 Provide an estimate of age, stature, and
gender
 Can sometimes determine racial origin
 Detect skeletal abnormalities and any
trauma
 Can provide information about the cause of
death
Forensic Toxicology
 Forensic toxicology is the study of the effects of
extraneous materials such as poisons and drugs in
the body
 Forensic toxicologists must determine both the
presence and the amounts of extraneous materials
in the body
 Assist the medical examiners in determining the
cause of death
 May be involved in the determination of ethanol
levels in blood and breath samples
Forensic Psychiatry & Psychology
 Psychiatry is a branch of medicine concerning the
diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental
illness while Psychology is the scientific study of the
mind and behavior of humans
 Forensic psychiatrists & psychologists evaluate
offenders for civil and criminal competence and may
be involved in offender treatment programs
 A few specialize in “profiling” of criminal cases,
primarily serial murderers and serial rapists
Forensic Engineering
 Involved in the investigation of transportation
related accidents, material failures, and
structural failures
Forensic Computer Science
 Use information located on computers and
other electronic devices as investigative aids
 Find hidden or deleted information to
determine if internet based crimes have been
committed
Criminalistics
 Criminalistics
involves
the examination,
identification, and
interpretation of
items of physical
evidence.
 Four major areas of
examination
 Biological evidence
 Forensic Chemistry
 Pattern evidence
 Other patterns (scene
reconstruction)
Fingerprinting- it is an impression made by the ridges insides
the first joint of the fingers and thumb on any smooth surfaces through the
medium of ink, sweat or any other ingredients capable of producing
visibility.

Fingerprint-
 are impressions of distinctive ridge-outlines which appear on the bulb on
the inside end joint of the fingers and thumbs.
 A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges found on the inner
surface of a finger or a thumb.
 Can also be termed a friction ridge print or friction ridge skin impression.
China may be credited as the first country to use fingerprint
not as a way of identification but as a sign authentically of the
documents.
Terms to Remember:
 Dactyl is from the Latin, and means finger of toe
 Dactylography is the study of fingerprint for the purpose of identification.
 Dactyloscopy is the science of identification by means of fingerprints.
 Polydactyl is hand having more than the normal number of fingerprints.
 Dactylomancy is an attempt at character reading through the patterns of
fingerprints.
 Dermatoglyphics are the lines, tracings, and designs, etc.on the skin of
fingers, palms and soles.
Formation of Friction Skin:
1. Ridges- raised strip of skin on the inner
side of the end joints of fingers and
thumbs.(Black Lines)
2. Furrows- scientific term of the outer, or
top skin, which is also identified as the
surface skin.(white lines)
Epidermis- scientific term of the outer, or top
skin, which is also identified as the surface skin.

COMPOSITION OF EPIDERMIS

1. Stratum Corneum- covers the surface on which

the ridges are visible.
2. Stratum Mucosum- beneath the stratum
corneum.
Dermis- the deeper inner or true skin layer.

Components of Dermis:

1. Sweat Duct
2. Sweat Glands
3. Dermal Papillae( nerve of touch)
Ridge Formation

 Ridges formation begin to form on the human fetus four to five

months before birth.
 During the process of growth and development these ridge
formations are not continuous lines but consist of a series of islands,
each containing a small opening or pore.
 As they grow, they fuse together and eventually the round contours
flatten and straighten out to form a continuous straight or short line.
 Principles and
Concept
of
Fingerprint Science
A. Principle of Individuality or Variability- By Francis Galton

 There are no two fingerprints that are exactly alike.

 The probability of duplication has been estimated as one in sixty four
billion, in order to have a probably duplicity a population of no less than
(64 billion), should be attained, which is impossible.
B. Principle of Permanency/constancy- By Herman Helcker, 41 years. ( can`t
Change)

 The pattern of fingerprints never changed during human life. The

fingerprint patterns are said to have been formed during the third
embryonic period( or the fourth month of fetal life), which have been
found to be exactly the same during lifetime, and even will remain the
same after death, until decomposition sets in, and that skin for SIZE, which
is subject to GROWTH AND SHRINKAGE.
C. Principle of Infallibility- Can`t Be Forge

 Fingerprinting is an exact feature article and fiction writers have

asserted that fingerprints can be successfully forged.
 If by forgery it is meant duplication, the illustrative prints depicted in
some books are mere duplicates of real fingerprints or mere machine-
reproductions of genuine fingerprints.
 “ For anything that can be photographed can be duplicated (not a
forgery), but one has to be the original and the other a mere copy.
Pioneers of Fingerprint and Their Contributions:
1. Dr. Nehemiah Grew- made one of the earliest known
publications on fingerprint. He described the ridges and pores
of the hands and tips.
2. Marcelo Malphigi- grandfather of Dactyloscopy. He described
the anatomical construction of the human skin. He also
migrated the term drop, spiral or whorl and the third payer of
the human skin was named after him malphigian layer.
3. Thomas Bewick- English wood engraver who made a wood
engraving of his fingerprint and use them as his trade mark.
4. Joan Johannes Purkenje- Father of Dactyloscopy. He
described the ridges, giving them names and establishing
certain rules about classification. He identifies nine different
patterns and use as identification.
5. William Herschel- the first inking of the fingers was attributed to him and
he was named the “ Father of Chiroscopy”- the science of classification of
palmprints.
6. Francis Galton- He published books which includes methods for
classifying fingerprints which he divided into three groups: arches, loop,
and whorls.
7. John Vucetich- his system of classifying and filing fingerprint set is still
used by most Spanish and Latin Countries even to the present and this
collection.
11. Edward Richard Henry- “father of Fingerprints”. His system with some
modification is still used in most English speaking countries together with
the vucation method from the basic of practicality.
12. Gilbert Thompson- the first to use individual fingerprint by using his
thumbprint to protect the checks and pay orders he issued from forgery.
13. Henry De Forest- used the fingerprint for non –registration on December
19, 1902 in the municipal civil Service Commission of the City of New York.
14. Mary L. Holland- First American instructress in dactyloscopy.
15. Mr. Gary Jones- first instructor who taught fingerprint in the PC.
16. Generoso Reyes- first Filipino fingerprint technician employed in the
Philippine Constabulary.
17.PoP Vs Medina- the leading case where conviction was based on
fingerprint.
18. P Vs Jennings- in the U.S.
Pattern area- the only part of the finger impression with which we are
concerned on regard to interpretation and classification. The pattern area
of loops and whorls are enclosed by type lines.
Type Lines- the two innermost ridges which surround the pattern area.

Distribution of Fingerprints Pattern Designs:

Arc- 5%
Loops- 60% to 65%
Whorls- 30% to 35%
Focal Point- are enclosed within the pattern of a loop or
whorl.
Two focal points:
1.core- the approximate center of a fingerprint pattern,
usually found in loops and whorls. Inner terminus.
2. delta- point on a ridge at nearest to the point of
divergence and or directly in front of the point of
divergence. Outer terminus. It may be:
a. Bifurcation
b. Dot
c. Abrupt Ending Ridge
d. Meeting of the ridges
 Plain Arch

Ridges enter on one side and flow or tend to

flow out the other side with a rise or wave in
the center.
 Tented Arch

Ridges enter on one side and flow or tend

to flow out the other side, however the
ridges in the center do not. This possesses an
 Tented Arch

Tented arch possessing the up-thrust.

 Loops

Loops opening
towards the little
finger is the ulnar
loop, whereas the
loop opening
towards the thumb is
the radial loop.
 One or more ridges enter on either side, recurve, touch or
pass an imaginary line drawn from the delta to core, and
terminate or tend to terminate on or toward the same side
the ridge or ridges entered.
 Ridge Counting

Ridge count: 19

The line must touch

the ridge to be
counted.
The number of ridges
intervening between the
delta and the core is
known as the ridge count.
(yellow tick marks)
 Plain Whorls

If an imaginary line
drawn between both
deltas crosses or
touches a recurving
ridge in the inner
pattern area, the
pattern is consider a
plain whorl.
The plain whorl has two deltas and at least one ridge making a complete
circuit, which may be spiral, oval, circular, or any variant of a circle.
 Central Pocket Loop

The central pocket loop has two deltas and at

least one ridge which makes or tends to make a
complete circuit. The circuit may be spiral, oval,
circular or any variant of a circle. An imaginary line
drawn between the two deltas must not touch or
cross any recurving ridges within the inner pattern.
 Double Loop

The double loop consists of two separate loop

formations, with two separate and distinct sets of
shoulders and two deltas.
 Accidental Whorl

The accidental is a pattern consisting of a

combination of two different types of patterns,
with the exception of the plain arch, with two or
more deltas; or a pattern which possesses some of
the requirements for two or more different types; or
 Major Parts of Prints

 Patternarea: appears in a loop or whorl

in which appear the cores, deltas and
ridges
 Core: approximate center of the print
 Delta:
that point on a ridge at or in front
of and nearest the center of the
divergence of the type lines
Pattern Area
 Core and Delta

Core

Delta
Ridge Characteristics- are the details of ridge structure, formation,
and elements which differentiate one fingerprint from another and
which impart individuality to each fingerprint.
1. Ridge- raised strip of skin or the inner side of the end jonts of
fingers and thumbs.
2. Ridge Formation- such as recurving, converging, short,long, etc.
3. Short Ridge- used in the ridge count only when it appears as
thick and dark as all of the surrounding ridges.
4. Recurving Ridge- a ridge which, at a certain point in its course,
curves back in the direction of its starting point.
5. Converging Ridge- two ridges suddenly tending to approach
each other at one point; it may be even meet and continue as
a single ridge.
6. Diverge- the spreading apart of two ridges suddenly tending to
approach each other at one point; they may even meet and continue as a
single apart and cease to be parallel.
7. bifurcation- one single splitting or forking into two or more branches.
8. Inverted Bifurcation- the bifurcation of one single ridge, splitting or forking
in the opposite direction from the line of flow of the surrounding ridges.
9. Difference between bifurcation and divergence:
a. Bifurcation results from one single ridge
b. Divergence results from two distinct ridges
10. enclosure- formed by a bifurcation when the branches, once separate
ridge meet to again become one ridge.
11. Dot- exactly what it implies
12. island- resembles a circle or a dot, or at times an oval. It is formed by a
single ridge which, after bifurcating for a short space, converges and
continues as a single ridge. It is always much smaller than an enclosure.
13. Angle- result of two or more ridges meeting each other. A single ridge
cannot form an angle.
14. Ending Ridge- is a ridge abruptly stopping its course.

Fingerprint Recorder- the person taking the prints.

Kinds of Fingerprint Cards:
a. Civilian b. Criminal c. Aliens

Kinds of Fingerprint:
a. Rolled- rolled for reasons of accurate classification, filing, and searching.
It is also used for comparison purposes.
b. Plain- for checking purposes, plain impression is important were rolled
prints are distorted in the manner of operation.
Terms to Remember:

1. Chiroscopy- scientific study of palm prints.( Father.-William Herschel)

2. Podoscopy- scientific study of footprints.

3. Poroscopy- scientific study of pores( Father- Edmond Locard)

 Fingerprint Classification
Henry System

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub secondary final

20 M 1 U IOI 10

L 1 U IOI
 Primary Classification

 Primary: Values of whorls

Finger value assignments:
Fingers 1 & 2: 16
Fingers 3 & 4: 8
Fingers 5 & 6: 4
Fingers 7 & 8: 2
Fingers 9 & 10: 1
 1 is added to all primary classifications
 1 over 1 indicates lowest classification
 32 over 32 indicates highest classification
 even numbers-2,4,6,8,10(numerator)
 odd numbers- 1,3,5,7,9(denominator)
 Summary of the Rules in Obtaining
Primary Classification

 whorl- consider its numerical value to obtain its primary classification

 loop and arch- don`t consider their values, just put zero on their
corresponding number
 a mandatory count one(1) is always added in the total of its numerical
value to avoid 0 over 0 equation.
 Rules on Amputation and
Finger Print Missing at Birth.
 if one finger is amputated(AMP) or missing at birth(FMB) the
classification is based on the opposite finger with the numerical value
 if both fingers are amputated or missing at birth they are treated as
whorl with the respective numerical value and with meeting (M)
tracing. M 32 W MMM
Primary Classification

Where whorls appear in

the fingers, the values
are added, even over
odd, with 1 added to
the total.

In this card, the right

hand has 16+8+4+1=29

The left hand:

16+2+1=19
 Secondary Classification
 position of secondary- appears just to the right of the fraction
which represents the primary
 meaning of secondary- the numerator indicates the type of
pattern appearing on the index finger of the right hand.
 denominator meaning- indicates the type pattern appearing
on the index left finger of the left hand.
 Secondary Classification

Secondary: the pattern appearing in the index

fingers
CAPITAL LETTERS GROUP(index
finger)(ARTUW)
A -Arch
R -Radial Loop
T - Tented Arch
U -Ulnar Loop
W-Whorl
 small letters group

Includes only: art

 plain arches(a)
 tented arches(t)
 radial loops(r)
 summary of the rules

 for capital letters group- just identify the

name of the fingerprint pattern of the left
and right index finger and write the same on
the box provided for.
 for small letters- applies only to the other
finger except index finger. radial loop, plain
arch, and tented arch are represented by
symbols r, a, t. the others are represented by
a dash(-). their positions shall follow the
normal sequencing of fingers
Sub-secondary Classification

Subsecondary: grouping according

to the ridge counts of loops
 sub-secondary

 refers to the grouping of prints according to the

ridge count loops
 position of the formula- immediately to the right of
the secondary classification
 recording ridge count- recorded as I(inner) and O
(outer)
 FINGERS CONSIDERED
 right index finger
 right middle finger
 right ring finger
 left index finger
 left middle finger
 left ring finger
 ridge counting
 INDEX FINGER- 1-9........I(inner)
10 or more O(outer)
MIDDLE FINGER- 1-10 I(inner)
11-or more O(outer)
RING FINGER- 1- 13 I(inner)
14 or more(outer)
rules in beginning and ending
ridge count

ridge tracing begins at the extreme left delta and stops

at the point directly in front of the right delta.
Take Note:

RIDGE COUNTING- it is the process of

counting the intervening ridges that
touch or cross an imaginary line drawn
between the core and delta.
 major classification

 represents only the thumb of each hand. it is the

ridge count of the loop
 loop pattern in both hands- in a set prints having
loop patterns in both hands, the ridge count of the
left thumb governs the symbol of the right thumb.
 Major Classification Table

Left Thumb Denominator Right Thumb Numerator

First Group( Left Hand)
01-11 Small(S)……………[01-11, Small] , [12-16, Medium] ,[17+, Large]
12-16 Medium(M)…………[01-11, Small], [12-16, Medium], [17+, Large]
17 or more, Large(L)………[01-11, Small], [12-16, Medium], [17+, Large]
Second Group( Right Hand)
01-17 Small(S)………………[01-17, Small], [18-22, Medium], [23+, Large]
18-22 Medium(M)…………[01-17, Small], [18-22, Medium], [23+, Large]
23 or more, Large(L)…… [01-17, Small],[18-22, Medium],[23+, Large]
 summary of these rules

 arches- just put a dash(-)

 loops- conduct ridge counting and follow
the rules on SML
 Final Classification

Final: ridge count of the right little

finger.

*If not: ridge count in the left little

finger
*If not: a whorl is used
* left delta to core (right hand)
* right delta to core (left hand)
 FINAL CLASSIFICATION

it is the ridge count on the loop(ulnar or radial loop)

appearing in the right little finger.
position- extreme right of the numerator
no loop in the right little finger- a loop in the left little
finger may be used.
ARCH or TENTED ARCH- if appears in little finger, it is
indicated in the classification formula by a small dash(-)
 whorl- if no loops in the little fingers but a
whorl appear instead. a final classification
may be obtained by a ridge count of the
whorl.
 little fingers used only for final classification
 summary of the rules

 both loops- priority right little finger

 one loop, one whorl- priority loop
 one loop, one arch- priority loop
 both whorls- priority right
 one whorl, one arch- priority whorl
 both arches-no classification, only a
small dash(-) and put it in the numerator
 both little fingers are amputated of
fingerprint missing at birth. use capital
letter M, put it in the numerator.
 Key Classification

 Key: ridge count of the first loop

appearing on the fingerprint
card, exclusive of little fingers
 little finger are disregarded
 position- always written at the
extreme left of the numerator.
 summary of the rules

 if there are no loops, conduct ridge

counting for the first whorl.
 if there are loops, count the ridges of the
first one and put it in the key classification.
 Fingerprint Processing

 Powder and brush

 Physical developer
 Small particle developer
 Ninhydrin
 Cyanoacrylate
 Iodine crystals
The following images depict
laboratory practicums of the
junior Fingerprints and
Impressions class.
Powder and Brush
Powder and Brush

A camel hair brush is used to apply the

fingerprint powder on suspect areas.
 Powder and Brush

Once a print is developed, excess

powder is brushed away, leaving a
visible print.
 Powder and Brush

Here, a hinge lifter is used to lift the

developed print. Once applied,
the print is preserved.
The lift needs to be one fluid motion.
 Physical Developer

Documents can be washed with maleic

acid and placed into the developer
(yellow bath).
Physical Developer
 Physical Developer

The sample should be agitated for 5 to 15

minutes, or removed at the best print.
 Physical Developer

The physical developer produces a

dark fingerprint when applied to
latent prints.
  Small Particle

Small particle reagent is sprayed on

areas of suspected latent prints.
Primarily used for wet surfaces, the
reagent dries leaving behind a
“powdered” fingerprint.
Ninhydrin

Ninhydrin is used on paper products.

Purple fingerprints are developed
after drying for 36 hours; or heat can
be applied to quicker results.
 Ninhydrin

A household hair dryer produces enough

heat. Heat the sample approximately 2-3
minutes.
 Ninhydrin

Ninhydrin developed latent fingerprints.

Cyanoacrylate Wand

The wand is heated by butane. The brass tip

contains cyanoacrylate (super glue).
 Cyanoacrylate

Cyanoacrylate, or “super glue”, hardens fingerprints into white

crystalline prints. Vaporization occurs with heat and humidity.
 Iodine Crystals

Iodine can be fumed at low temperatures. Once

vaporous, it develops reddish-brown fingerprints.
  Iodine Crystals

The specimen is placed into an air-tight container

along with iodine crystals.
 Iodine Crystals

Iodine is supplied in glass ampules.

Iodine Crystals

The air-tight container

prevents the escape of
iodine vapors.
Iodine Crystals

Heat from the hand is

sufficient to vaporize the
crystals. A hair dryer
produces quicker results.
Iodine Crystals

=An iodine fingerprint. Since iodine

evaporates quickly, prints should be
photographed.
 Post Mortem Prints

Kits are available for

collecting fingerprints from
 Post Mortem Prints

Each finger is inked with the porelon pad.

 Post Mortem Prints

The finger is then pressed into

the concave scoop which
holds the print card.
Post Mortem Prints

All deceased persons should be

printed. Once buried or cremated,
prints are no longer available.
Automated Technology

Computer programs can

now match finger-prints. The
latent print (left) is matched
to the record print (right).
Record Fingerprints

Ten-print fingerprint card.

Major Case Prints

Major case prints represent all friction ridge

surfaces of the fingers and palm.
 Major Case Prints

Right palm with both outer blades of the

hand. Palms are rolled.
Thank You
&
God Bless