FRS531: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

EXPERIMENT 2: A LAB ON FINGERPRINTS

(FINGERPRINT ENHANCEMENT USING
INK, POWDER AND MAGNETIC POWDER)

NAME : AHMAD ZAKWAN BIN KASSIM

STUDENT ID : 2021886994

GROUP : AS2533A2

LECTURER’S NAME : SIR EZLAN BIN ELIAS

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 15 JANUARY 2022

 OBJECTIVES
1. Students should be able to become familiar with the main features of human fingerprints.
2. Students should be able to develop skills in dusting and lifting latent fingerprints.
3. Students should be able to compare fingerprints of suspects to fingerprints lifted from a
simulated crime scene.

INTRODUCTION
Fingerprints are reproductions of the friction ridges in the skin found on the palms of the fingers
and thumbs. Visual inspection of the friction skin reveals a series of lines corresponding to the
ridges and grooves. The shape and shape of the ridges in the skin are what are considered the
black lines of the fingerprint. Fingerprints are an individual trait because no two fingers have the
same crest feature. A person's fingerprint will remain unchanged throughout an individual's life,
and it has common ridge patterns that allow it to be systematically classified.

Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, materials are exchanged between
them. The same applies when someone touches something, their fingerprint will be left. All
fingerprints are divided into three categories based on their common pattern: loops, arches and
whorls. The individuality of a fingerprint is not determined by its overall shape or pattern, but by
the careful study of ridge characteristics known as minutiae. Some of the common features of
fingerprint ridges are bifurcations, ridge endings, ridge dots and enclosures. In a legal
proceeding, an expert must demonstrate a point-by-point comparison to prove an individual's
identity.
 PROCEDURE
MATERIAL NEEDED:
1. Fingerprint ink pad
2. Black fingerprint powder
3. Black fingerprint magnetic powder
4. Squirrel tail brush
5. A4 paper

PART A: INKED FINGERPRINT

1. The right forefinger was slightly rolled across the inked pad. The finger should appear
black but not too black.
2. Our own fingerprint was transferred to a A4 paper by using fingerprint pad provided.
3. The procedure was repeated for each of the left and right fingers
4. Each of the fingerprint patterns and characteristics were identified.

PART B: ENHANCEMENT FINGERPRINT WITH POWDER AND

MAGNETIC POWDER
1. The surface of your nose was wiped with your right thumb to gather extra oil.
2. The right thumb was stamped on the paper and firm pressure was applied on it.
3. The powder brush was dipped gently into the fingerprint powder.
4. The surface of the paper was brushed lightly with a small light circular and up down
stroke.
5. Brushing process was continued until a clean fingerprint is obtained.
6. Step 1 until 5 was repeated by using left thumb.
7. Step 1 to 6 were repeated by using the magnetic powder.
 RESULTS AND DATA
A. INKED FINGERPRINT (RIGHT HAND)

Bridge Enclosure

Bifurcation
Bifurcation

Bifurcation
Bifurcation
Bifurcation
Island

THUMBS
PATTERN: PLAIN WHORL

INDEX FINGER MIDDLE FINGER

PATTERN: RADIAL LOOP PATTERN: RADIAL LOOP

RING FINGER PINKIE FINGER

PATTERN: PLAIN WHORL PATTERN: RADIAL LOOP
 B. INKED FINGERPRINT (LEFT HAND)
TH
Island U M
Ridge crossing
B
Bifurcation PA
Bifurcation
T TE
Bifurcation R N:
Bridge
Delta
Delta

PLAIN WHORL

INDEX FINGER MIDDLE FINGER

PATTERN: ULNAR LOOP PATTERN: RADIAL LOOP

RING FINGER PINKIE FINGER

PATTERN: CENTRAL POCKET PATTERN: RADIAL LOOP
LOOP
C. ENHANCEMENT FINGERPRINT WITH POWDER

RIGHT THUMB LEFT THUMB

PATTERN: PLAIN WHORL PATTERN: PLAIN WHORL

D. ENHANCEMENT FINGERPRINT WITH MAGNETIC POWDER

RIGHT THUMB LEFT THUMB

PATTERN: PLAIN WHORL PATTERN: PLAIN WHORL
 E. MINUTIAE ANALYSIS - COMPARISON BETWEEN RIGHT
THUMB (INKED) AND RIGHT THUMB (MAGNETIC
5 POWDER)
5

6
6
1
1

7 2
7
2
3
3
8
8 4
4

INKED MAGNETIC POWDER

Diagram 1: Comparison between inked and magnetic powder fingerprints

1 Bifurcation 5 Bifurcation
2 Enclosure 6 Bifurcation
3 Island 7 Bifurcation
4 Ridge ending 8 Bifurcation
 QUESTIONS
1. Using the fingerprints below, identify each of the following features; a lake,
bifurcation, island and ridge ending. Circle the feature and label it. You only
need to identify each feature once, and you may not need to use all of the
prints for this exercise. In addition, identify the fingerprint pattern (arch,
loop etc.) for each print.

Bifurcation Island Enclosure

Ridge ending

• For the first print is radial loop.

• Second print is double loop whorl.
• Third print is central pocket loop whorl.
• Fourth print is plain whorl.
• Fifth print is plain arch.
• The last print is tented arch.
2. Case Study 1: You are a forensic scientist investigating a homicide. You are
given an aluminum baseball bat used in the beating death of a gang member.
You manage to lift a partial latent print from the bat. Your job is to compare
the partial print to the fingerprints of 3 rival gang members suspected in the
beating death. Below is the partial print as well as the prints of the suspects.
Write a report summarizing the results of your investigation. In it, you
should include information on the latent print (basic fingerprint type and any
distinguishing characteristics) as well as the fingerprint of the suspect you
believe matches it (if any). You should describe the process by which you
found your match – for example, you may rule out some suspect prints
because they are not the same basic pattern as your latent print. You may cut
and paste the prints into your report if you wish and use them to indicate
what features you have identified. To get better resolution, you can view the
prints in Word and view them at 150%. You should also indicate how
confident you are in your results. Recall that most courts require 12 points to
match for it to be considered a match.
The partial latent impression of an aluminum baseball bat has been successfully lifted.
Upon investigation, I discovered that a partial print from the crime scene matched
Suspect B's lifted print. The following diagram compares the partial print to the lifted
print:

1 Hook 7 Ridge ending

2 Bifurcation 8 Island
3 Island 9 Bifurcation
4 Core 10 Island
5 Ridge ending 11 Bifurcation
6 Bifurcation 12 Dot

The partial print pattern is a loop based on a crime scene partial print. We have the
fingerprints of three suspects at the crime scene. They all have different fingerprint
patterns and characteristics. Suspect A and B's fingerprint pattern is a loop and Suspect
C's fingerprint pattern is a tented arch. Suspect C was disqualified because of a
discrepancy in his fingerprint pattern and part of the print from the murder scene. We can
detect the scar on the fingerprints of suspects A and B by observing the fingerprints
naturally. Next, we need to analyze and compare the minutiae of fingerprint of suspect B
and the partial print from the crime scene, we find that they match up to 98% because we
have 12 similar minutiae.
3. As stated earlier in the lab handout, there is some controversy over the
veracity of fingerprint evidence, particularly in light of the Daubert
standards. Imagine you are a trial judge faced with defense attorneys
arguing that fingerprint evidence should not be introduced in a trial because
no systematic study or studies have been conducted to determine the
accuracy with which a partial print can be matched to a fingerprint, and that
no uniform standards for determining whether a match exist. Briefly explain
your position on the admissibility of fingerprint evidence and explain
whether you feel the field of fingerprint analysis is a reliable science under
the Daubert guidelines.

As a trial judge, it is my responsibility to ensure that the trial I preside over is fair and
consistent with the law of the court, and to invoke sound evidence and the correct
method, and test accompanied by solid evidence. In court, the possibility of accepting
fingerprint evidence is accepted. Since it satisfies Daubert's requirements, the field of
fingerprint analysis is considered a reliable science according to Daubert's principles.
According to Daubert's criteria, fingerprint analysis is a reliable science whose reliability
can be and has been tested for a long time. There has never been a case where the
fingerprints of two people were found to be identical. Second, some forensic specialties
have seen as much information published as fingerprints and these papers are open to
other scientists for review. Finally, under Daubert, fingerprint analysis is a trusted
science because its reliability has been widely recognized by the scientific community
for more than a century.
 DISCUSSION
In this experiment, three objectives just be achieved. All objectives were successful. In this
experiment, we will explore the importance of fingerprints in forensic investigation. This
technique has led to improved fingerprinting, facilitating identification and allowing detectives
to track criminals records. Experience teaches us that the uniqueness of a fingerprint is not
determined by its general shape or pattern, but by a detailed examination of its ridge
characteristics, commonly known as minutiae. Each has unique crest features or details based on
lines, points, patterns, and shapes. Due to its quality, any partial fingerprint obtained at a crime
scene can easily be used to identify suspects. Second, fingerprints do not change throughout a
person's life. If someone intentionally leaves a scar on their skin to erase their fingerprints, the
permanent scar provides only additional features for identification. Fingerprints cannot be
changed. Finally, fingerprints with a common ridge pattern were carefully classified. All
fingerprints were classified into three categories based on their overall pattern, including loops,
whorls, and arches.

CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we were able to get acquainted with the main characteristics of human
fingerprints through this experiment. In addition, we can hone our skills in dusting latent
fingerprints and comparing right and left hand fingerprints.
 REFERENCES
1. Hoover, J. E. (2021, July 30). fingerprint. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/fingerprint

2. Jones, G. W. (2007, March 17). Fingerprints — A True Science? Retrieved from

https://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/FingerprintScience.html

3. THAKKAR, D. (2006, October 21). Minutiae Based Extraction in Fingerprint

Recognition. Retrieved from BAYOMETRIC:
https://www.bayometric.com/minutiae-based-extraction-fingerprint-recognition/