PERSONAL

IDENTIFICATION
 It is the application of the
principles of various sciences in solving
problems in connection with the
administration of justice.
Also referred to as Forensic
Science or Police Science.
 FORENSIC
The word forensic was derived from the
Latin word “Forum” which means a
“market place”, a place where people
gathered for “public discussion”. When it
is used in conjunction with other sciences
it simply connotes the idea of application
to law or for the administration of justice.
Sometimes it is also referred to as “legal”.
 Dr. Hans Gross
an Australian
magistrate who
described Search for
Truth as the ultimate
goal of all
investigative and
detective works. He is
known as the Father of
Modern Criminalistics.
 Dactyloscopy
Derived from the Latin words:
Dactyl - means finger; and
Skopien – to study or examine.
Is the practical application of the
science of fingerprints.
Dactylography – is the scientific study of fingerprint as a
means of identification.
Dactylomancy – is the scientific study of fingerprint for
purposes of personality interpretation

Fingerprints - It is an impression designed by the last joint

of the fingers and thumb on smooth surface through the
media of ink, sweat or any substance capable of
producing visibility.
Alphonse Bertillon
Basic Principles of Fingerprint
Individuality - No two persons have the same
fingerprint (based on Statistic Probability)

Infallibility - That fingerprint is a positive and reliable

means of identification. It cannot be easily be
forged.

Constancy or permanency - That the friction ridge

once fully developed its arrangement will remain the
same throughout man’s life.
Related Sciences to the Study of
Fingerprint: Cheir – means a
hand; and
Is the
science which deals
with the study of the
prints of the palms of
the hand.
Related Sciences to the Study of
Fingerprint: Podo –
means the foot; and

Is the science which

deals with the study
of the footprints.
Related Sciences to the Study of
Fingerprint:
Poros– means a pore, and
Is the scientific study of the
arrangement of the sweat pores.
The study of the configuration, size, and
relative position of the pores in human
skin, which are the external openings of
the sebaceous and sweat glands.
Together with dactyloscopy and palm
print identification, it is used in
criminalistics for purposes of identification.
Edmond Locard- Father of
Poroscopy)
Related Sciences to the Study of
Fingerprint:
Edgeoscopy - Is a method of identification through the
examination of the unique details and characteristics
found along the edges of individual fingerprint ridges.
These characteristics are the result of the alignment
and shape of the individual ridge units and the
relationship between them, as well as the effects of
pores that are close to the edge of the ridges.. The
method was pioneered by Salil Chatterjee in 1962, who
created it while researching the possibility of a new
criminal identification method
Friction Skin Is an epidermal hairless skin
found on the ventral or lower
surface of the hands and feet,
covered with minute ridges and
furrows and without colouring
matters or pigment. Are strips of
the skin on the end joints of our
fingers and thumb by which
fingerprints are made. Also
called as papillary or epidermal
ridges
Components of the Friction Skin
1. Ridge surface
a. Ridge – are elevated or hill like
structure/ the black lines with tiny white dots.
b. Furrow – the depressed or canal like
structure/ the white space between ridges.
2. Sweat pores – the tiny openings that serves as
the exits of sweat/ the tiny white dots.
3. Sweat duct – it serves as the passage way.
4. Sweat glands – the glands that produces of
sweat.
Fundamental Layers of the Friction Skin
1. Epidermis – the outermost
layer
Stratum Corneum,
Stratum mucosum
2. Dermis – the inner layer
containing the blood vessel,
dermal papillae, various
glands and nerves.
Ridge Formation:
Ridges starts to form in the fingers and thumb
during the 3rd to 4th months of the fetus life
Dermal Papillae
These are irregular pegs composed of delicate
connective tissue protruding and forming the
ridges of the skin on the fingers, palms, toes and
soles of the feet.
Ridge Destruction - The destruction of the
friction skin can either be temporary or
permanent. Generally temporary
destruction occur when only the
epidermis layer of the friction skin has
been damage, while permanent
damage can be injected to the friction
skin due to damage to the dermis layer.
 General Rules on Ridge
Destruction:
Destruction of the Epidermis – temporary,
dermis – permanent damage.

Cut - a depth of more than 1 mm will

constitute permanent scar
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
Prof. Marcelo Malphigi - Professor
of Anatomy at the University of
Bologna, Italy and is known as
the Grandfather of Fingerprints.
He originated the term loops and
spiral. And one layer of the skin
was named after him, the
Malphigian layer.
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint

Sir Jean Johannes

Purkenjie - A professor
in physiology, theology
and anatomy at the
University of Breslau,
Germany, known as
the Father of
Dactyloscopy.
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
Sir Francis Galton - A British
Anthropologist, a scientist,
and cousin to Charles Darwin,
who divided the types of
Fingerprint into arches, loops,
and whorls known as ALW. He
also stated that if there is
possibility for two prints to be
the same it is: 1: 64, 000,000
000.
"Galton’s Details".
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
Herman Welcker - He
took the prints of his own
palms and after forty-
one years he printed the
same palms to prove
that prints do not
change, except for
some scratches due to
old age.
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
Sir William Herschel (British
Administrator in District of
Bengal in India) - He printed
the palms of the natives in
order to avoid impersonation
among labourer. Prints of the
entire palms were used instead
of signature. RajyadharKonai
was the first person Herschel
printed the palm (He requires
fingerprint and signatures on
civil contracts.)
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
Sir Edward Richard Henry - An Inspector
General of Police in Bengal, India,
develops the first
system of classifying fingerprints. He also
developed his own system of classification
while working in Scotland Yard. His system
was of classification was established with
the help of two Hindu police namely Kahn
BahadurAzizulHaque and Rai Hem
Chandra Bose. It was widely accepted by
almost all English speaking countries
making him know as The “Father of
Fingerprint”. His system finally replaced the
Bertillionage system of identification in
France. (Anthropometry by Alphonse
Bertillion)
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
Juan Vucetich (1891) -
Argentine Police
Official, Initiated the
fingerprinting of
criminals,
(First case used was the
Rojas Homicide in
1892)
Pioneers in the science of fingerprint
DIFFERENT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
1. Bifurcating ridge
A single ridge that divides
itself in two branches. It is
sometimes called as “fork”.
2. Converging ridge
Is a ridge formation
characterized by a close angular
end and serves as a point of
convergence; or it is the meeting
of two ridges that were previously
running side by side.
DIFFERENT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
3. Diverging ridge - Is the
spreading of two ridges that are
flowing side by side and suddenly
separating or spreading apart
4. Enclosure or Lake ridge/eyelet -
A ridge that divides into two
branches and meets to form the
original ridge.
5. Ending ridge - Refers to an
endpoint of a ridge, or a ridge
with abrupt ending.
DIFFERENT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
6. Pattern area - Is that part of the
fingerprint that lies within the area
surrounded by the type lines. It is where the
core, delta, and other ridge characteristics
used for classification can be found.
The pattern area is only part of the
fingerprint impression with which are
concerned in regard to interpretation and
classification. It is present in all patterns, of
course but in many arches and
tented arches it is impossible to define.
This is not important; however, the only
patterns in which we need to define the
pattern area for classification purposes are
loops and whorls.
“The pattern area of loops and
whorls are enclosed by type lines.”
DIFFERENT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
7. Type lines - These are considered as
the boundaries of fingerprint patterns.
These are the two innermost
ridges that are running parallel or nearly
parallel with each other which diverge
at a certain point tending to surround
the pattern area.
Type lines are not always
continuous ridges. In fact they are more
often to be broken.
Note: When there is a definite break in
type line, the ridges immediately
outside of it is considered as its
continuation
DIFFERENT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
8. Recurving or looping ridge -
Is a kind of ridge formation
that curves back in the
direction from which it
started. It looks like a
hairpin.
9. Appendage - Is a short
ridge found at the top or at
the summit of a
recurvingridge
DIFFERENT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
10. Sufficient recurve - Is a
recurving ridge complete in its
shoulder and is free from any
appendage.
11. Rod or bar - Is a short or long
ridge found inside the innermost
recurving ridge of a loop
pattern.
12. Obstruction - Is a short ridge
found inside the innermost
recurving ridge that spoiled the
inner line of flow towards the
center of the pattern.
The (8) Eight types of fingerprint patterns
1. Loops
The terms “radial” and “ulnar” are derived from the radius bones and ulna
bone of the forearm. Loops which flow in the direction of the ulna bone
(towards the little finger) are called ulnar loops and those which flow in the
direction of the radius bone are called radial loops.
To differentiate an ulnar loop in the plain or rolled impression it important to
know from what hand it was taken
Note: the classification of loops is base on the way the loops flow on the
hand (not the card), so that on the fingerprint card for the left hand, loops
flowing towards the thumb impression are ulnar, and loops flowing towards
the little finger impression are radial
The (8) Eight types of fingerprint patterns
2. Arches
The Plain arch is the simplest of all fingerprint patterns, and
it is easily distinguished.
Is a pattern in which the ridges flows from one side to the
other or flows towards the, without recurving, usually
having a slight upward curved in the pattern, making the
pattern like an arch. It has no core and no delta.
The (8) Eight types of fingerprint patterns
3. Whorls
A. Plain whorl is a pattern consisting of two deltas and which at least
one ridge makes a turn through one complete circuit. And if an
imaginary line was drawn between two deltas, it must touch or cross
any circuiting ridge. It consists of the simplest form of whorl
construction and is most common of the whorl subdivisions.
B. Central pocket loop – is a pattern which possesses two deltas with
one or more ridges forming a complete circuit, which maybe oval,
spiral or circular: or it is a pattern consisting of two deltas, with one or
more recurving ridges with an obstruction at right angle to the inner
line of flow, and when an imaginary line was drawn between two
deltas, it should not touch or cross any circuiting ridge.
The (8) Eight types of fingerprint patterns
C. Double loop – this pattern consisting of two separate and distinct
loop formations, with sets of shoulders and two deltas.
Elements:
a. Two separate loop formation
b. Two separate and distinct sets of shoulder
c. Two deltas
D. Accidental whorl – this is a pattern consisting of a combination of
two different types of pattern such as a loop and a whorl, a loop and
a central pocket loop, or any combination of two different loop and
whorl type patter, but it cannot be a combination of a plain arch
with any pattern. It can have two or more deltas.
The Two Fingerprint Terminus (Focal Points)
1. The Delta (also called the outer terminus) is a point along a ridge
formation found at the center or near the center of the diverging
type lines.
2. The Core (also known as the heart or the inner terminus) usually
found at the center or innermost recurve.
Types of fingerprint impression
1. Rolled Impression – are fingerprint impression
taken individually by rolling each finger from one
side to the other side and from the tip to the end of
the first joint.
2. Plain Impression – are impression made by
simultaneously pressing the finger to the card, use
as a reference to classification.
Basic Instrument in taking prints:
Ink Slab – is a metallic or glass plate where the ink is spread for
purpose
Ink Roller – is a rubber made roller designed to spread the
fingerprint ink to the slab.
Fingerprint Ink – is a special form of ink designed for taking
fingerprint impression sometimes submitted with a printer’s ink.
Fingerprint card – is an 8” x 8” card designed for recording
fingerprint impression
Card holder – usually a fixed card holder placed in a flat table
designed to prevent the movement of the card in the course of
the taking of the fingerprint.
Basic Rule in taking Fingerprints:
Subject should be instructed to stand straight but
relax facing the slab.
The subject hand should be completely dry
Thumb fingers are rolled towards the body while
other fingers are rolled away from the body.
Latent Prints
prints found at the scene of the crime.
Types of latent prints
Visible prints = are those prints which are readily
visible to the naked eye. It can either be: Molded
prints or Prints made by contamination with colored
substance.
Invisible prints = prints that are generally made by
sweat or perspiration that requires developing for
visibility.
Reference Classification Formula
is an additional formula serve as a reference in
case of doubtful prints. Place the at bottom of the
classification formula.
found at the scene of the crime.
Factors Affecting Stability or Prints at the
Crime Scene:
Subject Factor
Nature of the surface
Climatic Condition
Methods of Developing Prints:
Dusting Method -
considered as the
simplest and
traditional methods
used in developing
prints at the scene of
the crime. (Use of
Powder and Brush)
Methods of Developing Prints:
Rolling Method-
basically used in
developing prints in
paper done by simply
rolling the paper with
powder spreading in
its surface.
Methods of Developing Prints:
Fuming Methods -
done by using
chemical fumes
such as Iodine
and Ammonium
Fumes.
Methods of Developing Prints:
Silver Nitrate
method – done
by spraying a 5
percent solution
of silver nitrate to
the surface of the
paper.
Methods of Developing Prints:
Ninhydrin Method
- is considered as
one of the best
method used in
developing prints
in paper.
Methods of Developing Prints:

Laser Method -
is a modern
method of
tracing and
developing
prints.
Post Mortem Fingerprints- are prints taken from a diseased person.

Ridge counting – is the process of counting the ridges that touch

or cross an imaginary line drawn between the delta and core of a
loop. Is that point on a ridge at in front of and nearest the center
of the divergence of the type lines.
Ridge tracing is the process of counting the ridges intervening
between the tracing ridge and the right delta. This process were
used to determine the three subdivisions of whorls into inner, outer,
and meeting which is represented by capital I, M, O.; Also means
tracking or trailing the ridge commencing from left delta going
across the right delta or nearest in distance to the right delta with
the number of ridges intervening between the ridge being traced
and the right delta are accounted for.
Classification line – it refers to a long line usually
placed on the right upper corner of the fingerprint
chart where the classification formula of the given
10 rolled fingerprints is exhibited.

Blocking – Is the process of writing below each

pattern the corresponding symbols of the
fingerprints in the space provided for each patter.
CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
The Henry- Galton System with the FBI modification and
extension as adopted by almost all English Speaking
countries of the world. The Philippines as one is using this
system

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION - the sorting of fingerprints

into file groups so that a file may be set upon the basis of
fingerprints alone. Fingerprints are classified by General
shape (arch, loop, or whorl), position in finger, and
relative size.
1. Primary Division - Is the summation of all numerical
value assigned to Whorls appearing in fingerprint chart
which are Numerators and denominators Plus the
pre-established fraction of 1/1. It is always represented by
numerical value.
2. Secondary Division - This division is obtaining by writing
the Capital letter symbols (taken from the index
fingers) and the small letters (from thumb, middle,
ring and little finger.
A. By capital letters – all letters appearing at the
index finger with the right as the numerator and the
left index denominator
B. Small letters- only letter r (radial), a (plain arch),
and t (tented arch) are included.
3. Sub-secondary division - This is done by ridge
counting of loops an ridge tracing of whorls
appearing in the index, middle, and ring fingers of
both right and left hands.
4. Major Division
This is similar to Sub-Secondary division though
it is applies to the thumb only and ridge counting
has been modified.
5. Final Division
This is done by ridge counting of loops and whorls
from the two little fingers. In this division whorls are
ridge counted not to be ridge traced.
1. Loops –ridge counted in its conventional way;
2. Whorls:
a. Plain whorl and central pocket loop whorl
shall be treated as ulnar loop from the hand of
origin;
b. A double loop is ridge counted to an upright
loop; and
c. An accidental whorl be ridge counted in all
but the least ridge count will be used.
6. Key Division
This division is derived by getting the ridge
count of the first loop formation appearing in the
ten fingers except the two little fingers. In case f
absence of a loop, the first whorl will be ridge
counted following the rules of ridge counting a
whorl under final division.
Classification of amputated fingers:
1. When one or more fingers from same hand are
amputated or missing, it is given the classification of the
opposite fingers (including the ridge count or ridge
tracing, except the primary classification)
2. When two or more opposite fingers are amputated or
missing, it is given the classification of plain whorl with
ridge tracing of Meeting (M)
3. When all fingers are amputated or missing they are all
treated as plain whorls with ridge tracing of Meeting (M)
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