UNIVERSITY OF CAGAYAN VALLEY

Balzain West, Tuguegarao City

SCHOOL OF CRIMINOLOGY

Subject: Personal Identification

Module No. 3 – Final Coverage
Title: Latent Print and the Process

Overview:
 Methods of recognition, development and proper preservation of latent prints
 Methods in comparison
 Different principles, jurisprudence and related laws in the application of the Fingerprint
Identification Technique

Introduction:
Evidence is vital in every case presented in court. Evidence can be anything associated
with a crime scene that may determine innocence or guilt in a court of law. It can determine
whether a crime occurred or not.
Fingerprint, before it will be presented as evidence, must undergo process of development,
preservation and analysis. Latent fingerprints are compared with known fingerprints. It is done to
show the similarities between two prints in order to prove the identity or did it originate from a
common source. It is very crucial that the evidence will be accepted or else everything will just
be futile. That is why fingerprint experts adhered properly to principles and methods, especially
in handling such evidence.

Learning Outcomes:

a. Explain the methods of recognition, development and the proper preservation of latent prints
b. Understand the method in comparison
c. Discuss different principles, jurisprudence and related laws in the application of the
Fingerprint Identification Technique

Learning Objectives:

The students will strengthen their knowledge in recognition, development and

preservation of latent print that will prepare them for their future profession especially in the
preparation of forensic evidence in court presentation.

Discussion: (Pls refer to your hand-outs)

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CRIME SCENE INVESTIGATION
a forensic analysis of the location and circumstances surrounding a crime.
It comprises gathering investigative, forensic, and physical evidence to link a
sequence of events to reconstruct the crime scene.

CRIME SCENE – it is the location where a crime took place.

CRIME SCENE KIT

The basic items can be carried in a crime scene kit. The following is a list of
equipment and supplies necessary for a thorough CSI for fingerprint evidence.

PROCESSING A CRIME SCENE

The following is a list of areas to focus on at the crime scene.

1. Point of entry (POE)
2. Point of exit
3. Areas of disturbance or items described by the victim or witness as out of place or moved.
4. Area where the crime took place, if known.
5. Ancillary areas such as bathrooms and kitchens
6. The path the perpetrator may have taken through the scene (from the POE to disturbed
areas to the point of exit)

 Once the area of interest has been identified, a visual examination of the surface is the
first step in fingerprint processing.
 Oblique lighting can be used to visualize fingerprint that may not be clearly visible in
daylight or direct white light.
 If fingerprints are observed, they are photographed in situ (in place)
 When all visible fingerprints are recorded, the surfaced is processed for fingerprints using
the appropriate processing technique.

ITEMS THAT MAKE UP A FINGERPRINT KIT

1. Ink roller – refers to an instrument used for spreading the ink into the slab.
2. Ink slab – refers to a piece of metal or a plane glass with as much as ¼ inch thick and 6 or
more inches long where the fingerprint ink is distributed for fingerprinting.

3. Fingerprint Card holder – clips the fingerprint card.

4. Fingerprint ink – refers to a specially manufactured ink for purposes of taking fingerprint.
A printer’s ink is sometimes used as a substitute.

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 5. Magnifying glass – used in examining developed latent prints. A 3-inch wide reading glass
is required.

Kinds of Magnifying Glass:

1. Linen tester – has an opening one-inch square, with fixed focus, and which can be
folded and carried in the pocket when necessary.
2. Bausch and Lomb magnifier – also known as “Horse-shoe magnifier.” A magnifying
glass with a built-in stand and an adjustable lens to suit the visual sight of the
examiner.
3. Hand lens – used in examining developed print.

6. Fingerprint powder – refers to the powder used in developing latent prints found in the
scene of crime; They are normally found in two: the black and the white or gray, which is
applied depending upon the contrasting background.
7. Fingerprint brushes – refers to an instrument used for powdering latent prints. There are
three variations of brushes used: the fiberglass, magnetic and feather type. Appear in
various design.

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 8. Fingerprint lifting tapes – It refers to tapes used for
lifting of developed latent prints which is quite
harder than an ordinary tape. It has three varieties:
frosted, rubber and transparent.

9. Latent prints transfer cards – refers to a card used in

preserving lifted latent prints which is either white or black
in background.

10. Fingerprint card – Refers to a piece of card used for recording the ten fingerprints for
comparison.
11. Flashlight – refers to a device used for searching and focusing on developed latent prints.

12. Roller tape measure – use in measuring a crime scene sketch

13. Pair of forceps – used in picking up objects or taking evidence which should not be
touched.

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 14. Graph paper – used for sketching purposes to indicate proper locations and measurements
of objects in the crime scene.
15. Evidence identification tape or tag – used to properly identify objects or physical evidence
gathered from the crime scene.

16. Pair of Scissors – used in cutting fingerprint tapes and for other purposes.
17. Rubber gloves – used primarily to avoid the technician to leave his own fingerprints in the
object being collected or examined.

18. Post-mortem fingerprinting equipment – contains hypodermic syringe, spoon, tissue

builder solvent, tissue cleaner, etc. used for taking prints of dead persons.
19. Carrying case – a box-like structure or an attaché type used for carrying necessary
equipment at the scene of the crime.

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 20. Inkless inking device – a porelon pad, sensitized fingerprint cards that is used to record
fingerprints without staining the fingers.
21. Ridge counter – next to magnifier, this is a tool most utilized by a latent print examiner
for identification of fingerprints characteristics.

FORENSIC OPTICAL COMPARATOR –Inspection machines that project magnified images

of parts onto a glass screen using illumination sources, lenses and mirrors for the primary purpose
of making 2-D measurements.

MATERIALS NEEDED IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS:

 Fingerprint ink
 Fingerprint roller
 Fingerprint slab
 Fingerprint card
 Fingerprint card holder

SCIENTIFIC WAY OF TAKING FINGERPRINT

1. Prepare the Set-up for printing.
2. Clean the inking slab thoroughly before spreading the ink.
3. Place a small amount of fingerprint ink on each side of the slab and in the center, then
start spreading the ink using the roller back and forth until the ink is evenly distributed.

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 4. To check whether or not the ink was spread properly or whether it is enough or not, try to
print one of your finger or put the slab near the light and if brownish reflection is observe
it means you have a good ink for used.
5. Place the fingerprint card on the cardholder properly to ensure that proper entry will be
easy.
6. Check the hands of the subject: Make sure that it is clean and dry. If it is perspiring freely,
wipe them off with a soft, clean cloth dampened with alcohol.
7. The technician should stand at the left of the subject in taking fingerprint.
8. Subject should be instructed to stand straight but relax and not to assist the technician in
rolling his finger. Subject should be standing not too close or too far facing the ink slab.
9. In taking the rolled impression, technician should place first the right thumb to be rolled
towards the body of the subject. Then ink the remaining fingers (index, middle, ring and
little finger) and rolled it away from the body of the subject. Roll the thumb and fingers
from tip to tip.
10. The same should be done in the left hand.
11. Apply only moderate amount of pressure in printing subjects’ fingers to avoid blurred
prints but hold the subject hand firmly so as to prevent pulling that may cause smeared
impression.
12. To obtain the plain impression, all the fingers and thumb should be pressed lightly upon
the inking plate, then press simultaneously on the space in the fingerprint card.

MANNER OF INKING AND PRINTING:

1. Thumbs - rolled towards the subject’s body (inward).

2. Four other fingers - rolled away from the subject’(outward)
3. The rolling of fingers should be done 180 degrees.
4. Print the 2 thumbs in the box provided below the fingerprint card (no rolling motion)
5. Print the 4 other fingers (the right and left index, middle, ring and little fingers)
simultaneously in the space provided below the fingerprint card (no rolling motion).
6. Say thank you to the subject for his/her participation.

QUALITY CHECKLIST OF RECORDED FINGERPRINTS

1. Is there a fingerprint impression in each finger block?

2. Were the fingerprints rolled fully, from nail to nail?
3. In every pattern, are the delta and core present?
4. Are the fingerprint impressions clear and distinct?
5. Are the fingerprint impressions uniform in tone and not too dark or light?
7. Are the rolled impressions in the correct finger blocks when compared to the plain
impressions below?

THREE POINTS TO REMEMBER WHEN DAMAGED OR INJURY TO A PAPILLARY

SKIN CAUSES A PERMANENT SCAR

1. A penetration of a depth of more than one millimeter is necessary where the organs or
process responsible for the growth of ridge elements are damaged or interrupted in their
activities.
2. Due to the destruction of these organs and deprivation of the power to produce new ridge
elements, the process of fission is affected.
3. Because of the extensive damage the skin is rendered incapable to fusing.

Skin deformities sometimes prevent correct pattern interpretation and classification but in
totality do not prevent identification. As long as the pattern is not totally disfigured
classification can still be worked out.

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COMMON ERRORS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

 Use of insufficient or too much ink.

 The materials were not cleaned before use
 The prints were not rolled properly.
 The “up and down portion” of the terminal phalange are not properly inked and
recorded.

METHODS OF DETECTING PRINTS

1. Dusting Method – is done with the use of fingerprint brush and powder by applying amount
of powder that is lightly swept on the suspected area to little by little reveal the print caused
by the powder.
This is called as the “brush on” or “powder” method.

2. The Rolling Method (Rocking Method)

- The powder is put on the suspected surface of a material/object. Then in slanting
position, the material/object is rolled slightly to attach powder in the fingerprint.

3. The Spray Method - The powder is put into an empty container specially designed for
spraying.
- Suspected areas where fingerprints are suspected to be present are sprayed to let latent
print appear.

4. The Transplant Method

- The latent print is powdered and lifted ready to be pasted to a paper with opposite color
from that of the color of powder used.
- The principle of contrast shall always be applied.

5. The Restoration Method-

- Stain fingerprint sampling process are wiped with:
a. fabric absorbing thinning scientific cleansing agent.
b. water absorbing fabric:
c. then wipe with a dried fabric.

6. Kromekote Lift Technique

- Provides the forensic science technician with an inexpensive and practical technique
for recovering latent fingerprints from human skin.
- The Kromekote Card is used to lift latent print in 2-3 seconds. It is done by lifting from
one side while pressing the other side.
- Fingerprints on skin surfaces appear to last about 1-1/2 hours on living victims.
- Latent prints on skin can also be done by using cyanoacrylate
Cyanoacrylate glues are the proper name for a type of glue commonly known
as Super Glue or Crazy Glue. Their name derives from the strong bond they can form
with any surface in the presence of moisture.

NATURE OF LATENT FINGERPRINTS

 Fingerprints recovered from crimes scenes are known as latent fingerprints.

Substrate – is the surface the latent print is deposited on. It is variable in texture and contour.
May be smooth or rough, flat or curved, porous or non-porous.

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POROUS, NON-POROUS & SEMIPOROUS SUBSTRATES

POROUS refers to a surface “containing pores” or small spaces within a substrate.

Porous materials are permeable to liquids and gases.
Example: paper, cardboard, sponge
It absorbs the fingerprint matrix.
NON-POROUS not permeable to gases and liquids.
Fingerprints on these objects remains on the surface.
Cyanoacrylate Ester one of the most common methods for developing fingerprints.
Example: Glass, plastics, metals and varnished woods
SEMI-POROUS items that are difficult to categorize as either porous and non-porous.
Example: waxy-coated paper products

PHYSICAL PROCESSING METHODS

FINGERPRINT POWDERS

fast, effective, and low-cost method of latent print development.

Used on dry, non-porous surfaces
Most often used at crime scenes where large areas and fixed objects such as furniture,
windows, and railings must be processed quickly and thoroughly.
commonly used on non-porous, dry surface.

FOUR COMMON TYPES OF FINGERPRINT POWDERS

1. Granular powder (black, white and bichromatic)

Are composed of large asymmetrical particles.
Black powder is a carbon-based granular powder most used at crime scenes.
Fiberglass brush
2. Magnetic powder (black, bichromatic, and/or fluorescent)
It has particles that are smaller than granular powders, mixed in with magnetic metallic
particles. Iron particles are blended with the powder to make the mixture magnetic.
Used on greasy surfaces.
Magna-brush
3. Fluorescent powder (many colors available)
Are very small fluorescent particles mixed with cornstarch or Lycopodium powder
carrier particles.
They are useful for delicate dusting or on items that cannot get wet with chemical
reagents.
Feather brush
4. Metallic flake powder (aluminum copper)
Composed of flattened flakes of aluminum, zinc, iron, or copper.
Used on smooth, dry surface,
Wet surface – aqueous powder suspensions. – powder suspensions are mixture of
insoluble fine powder particles
Available in black and white powder suspension

FINGERPRINT POWDER PROCESSING

1. Visually inspect the surface of interest with oblique white light.

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 2. Photograph any visible prints in situ (in place).
3. Pick a color powder that contrasts with the surface.
4. Put a light layer of powder onto a fingerprint brush and shake off the excess
5. Lightly pass the brush over the surface until friction ridges are visualized.
6. Photograph the visible fingerprints.
7. Lift the fingerprints onto a contrasting fingerprint card using fingerprint lift tape.
8. Fill out all known case info, completer a sketch, and note the “up” direction of the print.

CHEMICAL METHODS OF DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS

1. NINHYDRIN SOLUTION (destroys writings)

- was discovered by chance in 1910 by a chemist named Siegfried Ruhemann.
- also known as triketohydrindene hydrate, is both water soluble and alcohol soluble.
- This is used to detect latent prints on absorbent materials, white wood, blood stained
fingerprint, paper wrapping of cigarette stick, etc.
- thereafter known as the Ruhemann’s purple
2. NINHYDRIN PETROLEUM BENZINE SOLUTION
- This is applied on printed materials. The advantage of this method is the non-destruction
of written letters made by “ballpen” and other ink.

3. TETRAMETHYL BENZEDRINE METHOD (with chemical formula of C16H2oN2) –

With this method, the invisible amount of blood-stained fingerprints can be detected.
Fingerprint on kitchen knife, and other blades used as weapon, effectively detected.

Preparation:
Solution A – 100 ml Ethanol consist of 0.5 ml of TMB powder solution
Solution B – Ethanol added to the same amount of distilled water, and 30% peroxide
mixed up in 9:1 ratio.

4. NEO SPWA METHOD – This was invented by Nobuo Yamauchi, a Japanese Fingerprint
Expert, who authored a book entitled “Fingerprints Identifications.” This method is applied
on wet surfaces (plastic bag, metal product, plastic product, vehicle body, bathroom tiles,
weekly magazine cover, glass product, smooth surface with no water absorbent), adherent
surface of adhesive tape, the magnetic card and crappy plastic bag.

o Method of preparation: Few drops of Isopropyl alcohol (70% alcohol content) added
to 1 gram of black powder. Add 7 – 10 ml of water and mix well.

o Method of use: Dip brush on the reagent and brush it over the suspected surface.
Leave for 30 seconds and wash away excess powder. When prints are detected,
photograph it.

Procedure:
o Before starting to work on the suspected area, take a photograph to record the original
appearance.
o Apply solution A using a brush, then solution B after it dries.
o If there is an existing blood-stained fingerprint, it will turn into blue green color.
o Photograph such print.

5. VICTORIA PURE BLUE METHOD – This is used to detect latent prints on leaves,
scotch tape, and masking tape.

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 o Preparation: 1 gram of Victoria pure blue mix with 1 liter of ordinary water to make
0.1% of Victoria pure blue solution.

Procedure: Dip or soak the suspected object in a tray containing the solution for 30
seconds to one minute and observe how the prints appears, then wash it with water.
Photograph the developed print. The developed print can remain for several months and
years depending on its preservation.

6. EMULGEN BLACK.
- Used to develop latent prints on Glass, plastics, tin cans, metals, smooth surfaces of
cars, doorknobs, etc.

- Can be used on wet surfaces.

GAS METHOD

1. SUPER GLUE / CYANOACRYLATE METHOD

The cyano bond’s brand name in the Philippines is mighty bond.
o This is applicable to metals, plastic/synthetic resin, painted wood or metal, leather
products, adhesive tape (adherence surface side, not the sticky side), glossy – paper.

COLLECTION, PRESERVATION, DOCUMENTATION, IDENTIFICATION AND COURT

PRESENTATION OF FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE
1. Preservation by photography – evidence should be photographed as found, in view of
the possibility that any measures taken for development might destroy it.
2. Preservation of Plastic Fingerprint – if it can withstand transport then it can be sent
directly to the laboratory. If removing the plastic print poses some problem, it should
be photographed using oblique light to bring out as much detail as possible
3. Preservation with fingerprint lifters – frequently, curved surfaces, such as doorknobs,
with latent fingerprints present are difficult to photograph. For such surfaces, elastic
or rubber lifter materials works well.

HOW LONG DOES A FINGERPRINT REMAIN ON AN OBJECT?

Plastic prints remain for any length of time provided that the object on which they are
left or the substance in which they are formed is itself stable. Prints that have resulted
from contaminated with blood, pigments, ink and oil are more resistant and can be
kept for a long time under favorable conditions.
Latent prints on glass china, and other smooth objects can remain for years if they are
in well-protected location.
On objects in the open air, a print can be developed several months after it is made.
Fingerprints on paper are very stable and will last for years provided the paper does
not become wet and deteriorate.

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONS
The purpose of processing latent fingerprints and collecting the known fingerprints is to
compare one to the other to determine whether they come from a common source.
A comparison of fingerprints can lead to one of three conclusions: an exclusion,
identification, or inconclusive result.

THREE LEVELS OF DETAILS WITHIN FINGERPRINT RIDGE IMPRESSION

Level one detail – refers to the overall ridge flow of the fingerprint. This includes the
pattern type, shape and the position of the core related to the delta.

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 Level two detail – refers to the minutiae within the pattern. An analysis of the level two
details includes not only the types of minutiae but also the relative positions of the
minutiae along the friction ridges.
Level three detail – refers to the minute features and dimensions of the friction ridges. It
is an examination of the shapes, sizes, and relative positions of the pores along the ridge,
as well as the examination of the edge shapes and widths.

STEPS IN FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION

Introduced by Sgt. Asbaugh
Code: ACE-V

It is a scientific methodical evaluation of level one, two and three details.

o This methodology standardizes the comparison process to ensure that every
examiner follows the same steps to identify the source of any latent fingerprint.
The ACE-V process is not only used to identify the source of a fingerprint but also to
exclude an individual as the source of fingerprint.
An exclusion conclusion is just as valuable as an identification conclusion.

The components of the scientific method are:

Analysis - general patterns and name of Specific patterns are identified.
Observation
Hypothesis
Comparison - ridge details of the fingerprints are being compared.
Experimentation
Analysis
Evaluation – The making of a conclusion whether the latent print and fingerprint of suspect are
the same.
Conclusion
Verification – The opinion of an examiner should be verified by 1-2 examiner/s.
Peer review

STEPS IN LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION

Code: R-I-I-R

1. Recognition – This includes processing of latent prints in the crime scene, preliminary
screening, photography and lifting of the prints.
2. Identification – includes laboratory processing, enhancement, comparison of known and
unknown prints.
3. Individualization – includes the method of matching the prints for identification purposes
followed by evaluation.
4. Reconstruction – this will be done if there was non-matching of prints. The condition and
position should be identified and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
may be used.

PALM PRINT COMPARISONS

The act of comparing latent palm prints to exemplar palm prints.

ANATOMICAL AREAS AND MAJOR CREASES OF THE PALM

THREE MAIN AREAS OF THE PALM
1. Interdigital – is the portion of the palm directly below the index, middle, ring, and little
fingers.
2. Hypothenar – is also known as the “writer’s palm” is the portion of the palm below the
interdigital area and across from the thenar area.

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 3. Thenar – is the portion of the palm at the base of the thumb

DOCUMENTATION

It is process that involves recording important details. It may be pictorial or narrative.

Every science requires thorough documentation to record hypotheses, processes,
results, and conclusions.

A fingerprint analyst may complete the following documentation: photography,

sketches, chain of custody, forms required by the agency or department, notes, reports,
and courtroom visual aids.

LABORATORY NOTES AND FORMS

 It is often called bench notes.

 Notes may include the following:
a) A detailed description of the evidence and/or crime scene.
b) Steps taken to process the evidence.
c) Dates/times steps were performed in sequence
d) Results of each steps.

Example of laboratory processing notes written in the outline forms:

Case #2021-01487 was received from Anywhere Police Station’s evidence storage facility
on January 21, 2021, at 0830H.
Item #10-gray Motorola Verizon wireless cell phone (“flip phone”) with a 1.3-megapixel
camera (disassembles for processing).
Visual examination with oblique lighting – no fingerprint of value observed
Superglue fuming – 25 min at 60%humidity in superglue fuming chamber yielded one
fingerprint of value, labeled L001.
Fingerprint L001, L002, and L003 were photographed with a digital single lens reflex
(SLR) camera using oblique lighting.
Fluorescent orange powder-viewed with an alternate light source (ALS) at 525 nm
wavelength, yielded no new fingerprints of value other than L001-L003.
L001, L002, and L003 were photographed under ALS with a digital SLR camera and
orange filter.
Photographs were downloaded and saved.
o 2021-01487_L001A
o 2021-01487_L001B
o 2021-01487_L002A
o 2021-01487_L002B
o 2021-01487_L003A
o 2021-01487_L003B
No further processing was required.
Item #10 was repackaged and sealed on January 21, 2021, at 1440h
Item #10 was submitted to the evidence storage facility on January 21, 2021 at 1700h.

Each step in the process is recorded in detail, along with a detailed description of the item
itself. Any authorized personnel involved with the case should be able to understand
exactly what was done and how the photographs can be accessed. The following is an
example of fingerprint comparison notes written in an outline form.

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 Case #2021-01487 was received on January 21, 2021, at 0800h from the evidence
storage facility. Fingerprint comparisons were completed on the same date.
o Latent fingerprint L001 is sufficient for comparison purposes.
o Latent fingerprints L002 and L003 are of poor quality and are not sufficient
for comparison purposes.
o L001 was compared to the victim (Jane Doe, dob July 06, 1994) with negative
results.
o L001 was compares to the suspect (John Smith, dob September 15, 1990).
o L001 was identified as originating from the #1 finger of the suspect.
o The identification (ID) was verified by Juan Dela Cruz on January 26 2021.

FINAL REPORTS

A final report is a summary of all the work done on a case and the implications of
forensic analyses.
A final report is written as narrative, like an essay.
It is the last step in the documentation process, unless court demonstrations are created
at a later date.
Photos and notes can be used to write a detailed, thorough final report.
In order to write an unbiased, scientific narrative of a case, the report must be:
o Objective
o Clear and concise
o Organized
o Thorough
o Written in accordance with your agency/department SOP’s

EXCERPT: FINGERPRINTS AT CRIME SCENE

Black fingerprint powder was uses to examine the point of entry, point of exit, areas where
items were disturbed, and items of evidence at the scene. Three (3) latent fingerprints (labeled
L01, L02 and L03) were lifted from the door handle on the door leading from the main hallway
of the home into the second bedroom at the northeast corner of the house. These latent prints
were lifted onto standard latent fingerprint lift cards. Elimination fingerprints were collected
from the victim.

CHAIN OF CUSTODY

The chain of custody accounts for an item of evidence from the time it is collected until it
is destroyed or stored at the conclusion of the case.
When an item of evidence is collected, a chain of custody form is attached to the evidence
packaging.
The chain of custody is a critical document that must always remain with the evidence.

BIOMETRICS
LIVESCAN AND AFIS

Biometrics from the root words (“bio” meaning life and “metric” meaning measure) refers to
using unique biological measurements or features to identify individuals.

Examples of Forensic Biometrics other than fingerprints.

 Handwriting
 Odontology

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  Anthropology
 DNA
Examples of modern digital biometrics
 Iris scan
 Retinal scans
 Facial recognition
 Voiceprint identification
 Gait pattern
 Hand geometry
 Vascular patterns

AFIS – Automated Fingerprint Identification System

- The computer system that stores the fingerprint databases and searches for matches both
to known and to unknown fingerprints.

History of AFIS

The current, efficient use of fingerprints as biometrics is only possible due to the advent
of the silicone microchip, and consequently the computer, in the early 1970’s.
The FBI’s identification bureau, known as the Identification Division, was established in
1924 “to provide a central repository of criminal identification data for law enforcement agencies.
The original collection of fingerprint records contained 810,188 records.”
The technicians employed in the Identification Division were responsible for classifying,
filing, and searching approximately 30,000 ten print cards submitted by law enforcement agencies
around the country every day.

 The Royal Canadian Mounted Police – put a system into place in 1977.
 The city of San Francisco was the first jurisdiction to use the AFIS on a routine basis in
the United States.
 It was installed in San Francisco in 1983, and a new unit called Crime Scene
Investigations, was formed.
 1992 – IAFIS imported 32 million fingerprint cards into its database.
 1997 – the United Kingdom installed its own national AFIS database.

LIVESCAN – this device scan and digitizes fingerprints similar to a document scanner. This
method does not require ink, powder or any other medium to capture the print.
- The livescan operator, the individual taking the fingerprints, rolls the individual’s
fingerprints onto a plastic or glass plate in a manner similar to rolling inked prints onto a
ten-print card.
- The livescan acquires the image and the computer processes it using a computer
algorithm: a set of procedures the computer follows to process data.

Livescan fingerprinting has several advantages over and is quickly replacing inked fingerprinting
for the following purposes:

1. Livescan prints are digital and can be stored on computers rather than in large numbers of
file cabinets required by manual ten prints cards.
2. Unlimited numbers of exact copies of the fingerprints can be reproduced on the computer
printer.
3. Livescan prints can be instantly transmitted between agencies using computer networks.
4. Image quality is more uniform due to the quality control standards built into the livescan
device.

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 5. Livescan devices directly connect to AFIS. This makes it possible to take a person’s prints;
search them automatically against local, and national records; and get results back, often
in minutes.

THE AFIS OF PNP

1. Turned over by the Japanese Gov’t thru JICA to the PNP on May 24, 2005.
2. This is a grant aid project amounting to 975M Yen (approx. Php 487.5M).
3. Has a current entry of more than 516,950 records (both criminal and non-criminal)?
4. The PNP Regional Crime Laboratory Offices submit ten print cards to the NHQ and are
being scanned to form part the database of the AFIS.
5. Encoding is the duty of the NHQ-Camp Crame, QC.
6. Candidate List contains the first 20, second 10, third 5.
7. AFIS is a tool used by the Fingerprint Technician.

PREPARING FOR TESTIMONY IN COURT

A. What is an Expert Witness? An expert is any person who is skilled in a specific trade, science
or occupation. Because of this particular knowledge, the expert is qualified to analyze or
compare a stated set of facts and to give an opinion based on those facts. This opinion is
admissible because this special knowledge is not often possessed by laymen.
B. Knowledge of the Fingerprint Expert – the expert must be knowledgeable in the following
areas: Fingerprint History, Fingerprint Classification, Latent Print Development
Procedures, Scientific Publications and Evidence Examination.
C. The Examiner have developed a “work sheet” that serves as a record of the investigation.
D. Appearance of the Witness – the appearance and clothing of the expert witness are important
factors in the process of “selling yourself” to the jury. Sometimes these non-verbal forms of
communication are as important as the factors of the case. Wearing of complete uniform is
desirable.
E. Delivery – After being sworn in, sit or stand confidently. Do not slouch in the seat. Keep both
feet on the floor and sit toward the front edge of the chair. Keep your hands folded on your
lap until it becomes necessary to handle reports, evidence, etc.
a. Avoid technical jargon unfamiliar to laymen. Use easy to understand language. Speak in
first person.
b. Address your answer to the jury. Eye contact with each juror at some point during
testimony is important.
c. Always pause after hearing a question from the defense attorney to allow time for the
prosecutor to offer any objection.
d. When introducing your display, make every effort to tie each new point mentioned to a
previous one like “point number three is a bifurcation and is six ridges to the left of point
number two.”
F. Conclusion – Once earned, the professional status of a fingerprint expert demands
preservations. It is a standard of excellence by which you and your peers are judged. To
preserve the status of expert witness, you should continue to study and use the latest
technology available. You, as a latent fingerprint expert, perform a vital service while also
maintaining and enhancing a priceless heritage.

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FIRST CONVICTION IN U.S.A.

PEOPLE vs JENNINGS

In 1911 the Illinois Police Department arrested a man named Thomas Jennings for murder. The
evidence against Jennings was slim except for fingerprint evidence. The prosecution wanted to
ensure the fingerprint evidence would be admitted before the Illinois Supreme Court.

FIRST CONVICTION IN CANADA

PEOPLE vs. CARACATH & PARACHIQUE
- It was Edward Foster who gave expert opinion to the first conviction in Canada based on
fingerprint evidence which took place in 1914. The fingerprints from the scene matched with
suspects: Peter Caracath and Gregory Parachique who broke into the CPR Station in Petawawa,
Ontario. They left fingerprints on glass at the point of entry that was used for their identification.

LAMBLE VS STATE (Lamble vs. State, 96 N.T.L., 231; 114 ATL., (N.J.) 364 (1921)
- This involved the discovery of fingerprints on the door of an automobile, the court believed it
was not necessary to produce the door as an evidence. The court stated that a photograph of the
fingerprints noted on the door should be sufficient along with the identification of the fingerprints
by expert to show of these of the defendant. The court referred to the previous decided case in
State vs. Conners (Supra)

STATE VS CONNERS (87 N. T. L., 419, 94, Atl.812 (1915)

- Where the photographs of the fingerprint were competently reproduced from the balcony post
of the house and even without producing that post in court and because of the expert testimony
without disruption to the continuity of testimony, it is deemed admissible.

PEOPLE VS CORRAL (224 California 2d 300 (1964)

- It is a well settled principle in law that fingerprints are the strongest evidence of the identity of
a person. This doctrine was reasserted in the case of PP VS RESIR (California), in which court
stated, “Fingerprint Evidence Is Strongest Of Identity And Is Ordinarily Sufficient Alone To
Identity The Defendant.

SCHMERBER VS CALIFORNIA (384 us, 757,763,764 (1966)

- It was held that the introduction into evidence of fingerprint impression taken without the
consent of the defendant was not an infringement of his constitutional privilege against self-
incrimination. The high court held that it is constitutional to obtain real or physical evidence even
if the suspect is compelled to give blood in a hospital environment, submit to fingerprinting,
photographing or measurement, write or speak for identification, appears in court, stand or walk,
assume a stance or make a particular gesture, put on a cloth that fits him, or exhibit his body as
evidence when it is material.

PHILIPPINES
BINGALAWA VS AMADOR (CA, 36320-B)

 The fingerprint expert and constabulary sergeant/ investigator testified and successfully
defended fingerprint evidence based on eight (8) identical ridge points.

 The court stated that admissibility was based on rare identical characteristics compared
from both true and questioned prints.

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PP VS MEDINA (59 PHIL. 330)
 The first leading judicial decision in Philippine Jurisprudence on the Science of
Fingerprinting.
 On the night of February 12, 1932, Mariano Medina broke into and entered through the
window of the house of Mr. James C. Rockwell. Once inside, Medina took several
properties of the Rockwell’s and one among them was a jewelry box, which was later on
recovered by the intelligence division of the Philippine Constabulary, Officer Agripino
Ruiz. The latter was able to develop and lift a fingerprint on top of the box. Ruiz took the
fingerprints of the accused and found similarities when he compared them with his
records. Further investigation revealed that the accused had served three terms in the
Bilibid prison.
 Ruiz then compared a photograph of the impression of the middle finger of Medina’s right
hand with the photograph fingerprint on top of the box stolen from the bedroom of the
Rockwell’s and established that they coincided in ten (10) points. He concluded that the
two (2) impressions were from the same person.

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