FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

BY: CARLO C. MUYOT

R.C. (L.N.0023717)

I. DEFINITION OF TERMS
- Dactyloscopy – the study of fingerprints. The term “Dactyloscopy” originated from the Greek
word Dactylos (finger) and skopien (to examine).
- The practical application of fingerprints (the process of identification by fingerprint,
comparison and the classification of fingerprints.
- Dactylography – the scientific study of fingerprints as a means of identification.
- Fingerprint – an impression made by the ridges on the first joint of the fingers and thumb and
any smooth surface through the media of ink, sweat or any other ingredients capable of
producing visibility.
- Latent print – are hidden or invisible print that had been left on an object when it was touched.
Latent prints must be developed or made visible by the use of powders, chemicals, or a
forensic light source.

Types of latent print

1. Visible
2. Semi-visible
3. Invisible

- Friction skin – is the hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and feet
covered with minute ridges and furrows, and without pigment of coloring matter.
Two component parts of friction skin
1. Ridges – are tiny elevations or hill-like structures found on the epidermis of the skin
containing sweet pores. They appeared as black lines in an inked impression.
2. Furros - are the canals or depressions found between the ridges. They appeared as black lines
in inked impressions.

THREE ALLIED SUBJECT IN DACTYLOSCOPY

1. Chiroscopy – is the scientific examination of the palm of the hand.
2. Podoscopy – is the scientific examination or study of the soles of the feet. (podo-foot)
3. Poroscopy – is the scientific examination of the sweat pores of the friction skin. (poros-pore)
THE THREE DOGMATIC PRINCIPLES IN DACTYLOSCOPY/FINGERPRINTING

1. The principle of constancy – that the fingerprint remains the same from the time of birth until
the person’s death.
2. The principle of variation – that no two persons have exactly the same fingerprint in their
individual characteristics.
3. The principle of infallibility – that the fingerprint cannot be forged or changed.

IMPORTANCE OF FINGERIMPRINT
1. Prevent impersonations
2. Speedy identification of wrong doer
3. Serve to give evidence
4. Helps identify victims
5. Prevent criminal substitutions of newly born

II. HISTORY OF FINGERPRINT

Fingerprint was use in china before the birth of Christianity. Their use of it is more of a
symbolism rather identification. This forms part of their rituals. Although apparently that it was the
orient who first used finger impression, the occidental was the one considered to be the first to use it as
a valuable individual characteristic.

1
A.EARLY STUDIES IN FINGERPRINTS
Nehemiah Grew – published a report entitled “Philosophical Transaction” in 1684, which was
presented before the royal society of London, England, describing the ridges and pores of the hand
and feet.
Govard Bidloo – published a thesis “Anatomia Humanis Corporis” in 1685, which describes the
sweat pores and ridges.
Marcelo Malphigi – published a book entitled “De Externo Tactus Organo” in 1686. He is an Italian
anatomist noted for his discovery of the inner (dermis) and outer (epidermis) structure of
the skin.
J. C. A. Mayer – He stated in his book (Anatomiche Kufertafeln Nebst Dazu Gehorigen) that
“Although the arrangement of the skin is never duplicated in two individual, nevertheless the
similarities are closer among some individual” He, thus became the state that the prints of two
different people are never alike.
Herman Welker – in 1856 he took the prints of his own palms and after forty-one (41) years, he
printed the same palms to prove that prints do not change.
Johannes E. Purkenji – (Professor in the University of Breslau Germany) he describe ridges, giving
them names and established certain rules for their classification and identified (9) nine different
patterns although he did not refer to it as used in identification.
Alphonse Bertillon – developed anthropometry before he studied fingerprint when he became head of
the identification service of the office of the prefect of police.
Anthropometry – involved the measurements of a certain bony parts of the human body.
Kollman – an anthropologist who wrote his book on ridges and pores but still never has been
associated with identification.

B. FINGERPRINTS AS A METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION

Sir William J. Hershel – he printed the palms of natives in the Hoogly District of Bengal, India, to
avoid impersonation and as a substitute to signature.
Radjadyar Konai – the first person whose palm were printed by Hershel.
Henry Faulds – he was a doctor in Tokyo, Japan who advocated the use of fingerprints in the
detections of offenders.
Sir Frances Galton – is credited with being the first scientist of friction skin identification as well as
his role in promoting its use. He was able to discover the three families of fingerprint patterns;
Arch, Loops, and Whorl. He also makes his own system of classification, which was officially
adopted on February 12, 1894.
Sir Edward Richard Henry – succeeding Hershel position in India, he developed his own system of
classification, which was recognized and officially adopted in Wales as throughout England. He
appointed as assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard and was later credited as the “Father of
Fingerprint” for his system was widely accepted in almost all English speaking countries. In 1914,
the Henry system changes the Bertillon in France.
Khan Bahador Azizul Hague and Rai Hem Chandra Bose – the two Hindu police officers who
helped Henry in attaining his goal when he was still in India.
Juan Vucitech – (1891) he developed his own system of classification which was officially
adopted in Argentina and is used today in most Spanish-speaking countries in South
America.

C. FINGERPRINTS IDENTIFICATION IN THE PHILIPPINES

The use of fingerprint in the Philippines started in the year 1900. It was through the Americans that the
science of fingerprint was introduced in the Philippines.
Mr. Jones – one who first thought fingerprint in the Philippines
Bureau of Prison – their records show that in 1918, fingerprint was already in use and forms part
of the Carpita.
Lt. Asia N. Darby – he established a complete and modern fingerprint file for the Philippine
commonwealth during the reoccupation of the Philippines by the American Forces.
Generoso Reyes – first Filipino fingerprint technician employed by the Philippine Constabulary
Isabela Bernales – first Filipina fingerprint technician.
Capt. Thomas Dugan – of the NYPD and Flaviano Guerrero of the FBI, give the first examination
in fingerprint in 1927 and Agustin Patricio of the Philippines topped the
examination.

2
People of the Philippines vs. Medina – first conviction based on fingerprint and leading to the
judicial decision in Philippine Jurisprudence.
Plaridel Education Institution – now known as PCCr, first government recognized school to teach
the science of fingerprint and other Police Sciences.

III. THREE (3) GENERAL GROUPS OF FINGERPRINT PATTERN AND THEIR SUBDIVISIONS
1. ARCH
a) Plain Arch – a pattern in which the ridges flow from ne side to the other side, without
recurving, usually having a slight upward curve at the center, making the pattern appear like an
arch. There is no core and delta in the pattern.
b) Tented Arch – a pattern in which the ridges flow from one side to the other without recurving,
but differ from plain arch, as the ridges rise higher in the center, giving the pattern the
appearance of a tent. There are tree types of tented arch:
a. The type in which the ridges at the center from an upthrust emanating from one or
more flatform ridges.
b. The type in which the ridges at the center form a definite angle 90 degrees or less.
c. The type approaching the loop type but lucks one or more of the essential elements of a
loop.
2. Loop – a pattern in which one or more ridges enter on one sides of the impression and, by making a
recurve, pass out or terminate on the same side where the ridge or ridges entered.
Basic characteristics of a loop:
a. There must be a delta
b. There must be a recurving ridge passing or touching the imaginary line drawn between
the delta and core.
c. There must be at least a ridge count of one.
Two kinds of Loops:
1. Radial loop – one in which the direction or flow of the ridges is toward the thumb side or the
radius bone.
2. Ulnar loop – one in which the direction or flow of the majority of the ridges is toward the little
finger’s side or to the ulna bone.
3. Whorl – is the type of pattern in which at least two deltas are present with a recurve in front of
each. There are four types of whorls:
a. 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. An imaginary line drawn between the two deltas must
touch or cross at least on of the recurving ridges within the pattern area.
b. Central Pocket Loop – a pattern in which most of the ridges represent the pattern known as a loop,
but one or more of the ridges within such loop or whose surrounding the core recurve somewhat
like a spiral those forming a pocket within a loop. A central pocket loop has a core and two
unbalanced deltas.
c. Double Loop – consist of two separate loop formations, with two separate with distinct set of
shoulders, and two deltas. There are two kinds of double loop:
1. Twinned Loop - one in which the direction of the flow of the ridges of the two
separate loop formation is opposite to each other.
2. Lateral Pocket Loop – the type in which the direction of the flow of the ridges of the
two loops are on the same side.
d. Accidental Loop Whorl – a pattern made up of a combination of two or more like or unlike
patterns, with the exclusion of the plain arch.

PERCENTAGE OF VARIOUS TYPES OF PATTERNS

Bonifacio Marcelo FBI Fingerprint Book
Loops--------60% ----------------65%
Whorls-------35% ----------------30%
Arches---------5% -----------------5%

IV. RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS

- are little details in the ridges of fingerprint patterns, which are used in comparing and identifying
fingerprints. These are the basis of fingerprint identification.

3
3 basic types of ridges characteristics:
1. Bifurcation – a single ridge that divides or split into two or more branches.
2. Ending ridge – is the termination of the ridge
3. Dot ridge – a ridge that resembles a dot or a period

Other Ridge Characteristics:

4. Ridge hook – a ridge that divides to form two ridges; one connecting ridges, which splits at the
side, is extremely shorter than the other.
5. Enclosure – a single ridge that divide into two, and meet it again to form the original
6. Short ridge – a ridge of limited length.
7. Fragment - is a ridge of extremely short length (Not more than 3 millimeter)
8. Crossover – a short ridge with both ends attached to each other.
9. Ridge Bridge – a ridge having connected to two separate ridges.
10. Trifurcation – a ridge that splits into three branches.
11. Divergence - is the separation or spreading apart of two ridges that were previously running
side by side.
12. Convergence – the meeting of two ridges, which were running side by side.
13. Type lines – are the two innermost ridges which run parallel then diverge and surround or tend
to surround the pattern area.
14. Pattern area – area or portion of the fingerprint enclosed by the type lines wherein are
included the vital elements or characteristics necessary for the interpretation and classification
to determine its pattern.
15. Delta – (outer terminus) a point in a ridge formation located at the center or near the center of
the divergence of the type lines.
16. Core – (inner terminus) is the focal point or the center of the fingerprint pattern.

Rules governing the selection of delta:

1. Delta always at the center of the divergence
2. When there is a choice between different ridge characteristics, the center is chosen.
3. In a series of choice, as long as center, the one nearest the core is selected.
4. The delta may not be located in the middle of the ridge running between the type lines toward
the core, but at the end nearest to the core.

Rules governing the selection of a core:

1. Cores in a loop pattern are formed in a variety of ways, but are always found on or within the
innermost looping or recurving ridge.
2. When the innermost recurving ridge contains an odd number of rods or ridges rising as high as
the shoulders of the recurving ridge, the core is located at the summit or tip of the center rod or
ridge.
3. When the innermost recurving ridge contain an even numbers of rods or ridges rising as high as
the shoulders of the recurving ridge, of the two center rod or ridge the core is located at the
summit or tip of the one farther from delta.
4. When there is no rod or ridge rising as high as the shoulder of the loop, the core is located on
the shoulder of the innermost recurving ridge farther from the delta.

Innermost recurving ridge – the looping or recurving ridge located at the center of the pattern.
What happen to the supposed innermost recurving ridge if there is an appendage attached to it?
If an Appendage appears between the shoulders of a ridge that shows to be a recurve, the
recurve is considered to be spoiled, thus the next ridge outside which form a true recurve will be the
innermost recurving ridge. The core then would be end of the appendage.
Appendage – a short ridge at the top or summit of the recurve usually at right angle.
Shoulder of a loop – Those points where the ridge definitely turns inward.

Rules in selecting the when there are more than one innermost recurving ridge
1. When two innermost recurving ridges intersect below or above the shoulders, this located
on the innermost shoulder farther from delta.
2. When the recurving ridges intersect on the point on the shoulders, the core is located at the
point of intersection.

4
 3. When there are two non-intersecting innermost recurving ridges, the core is located on the
innermost shoulder farther from delta.

V. TAKING FINGERPRINTS
Fingerprinting – is the process of recording fingerprints or impressions through the use of fingerprint ink
Post-mortem fingerprinting – taking fingerprints of a deceased person for identification purposes.
Two types of inked impressions:
1. Rolled impressions – requires the thumbs to be rolled towards and the four fingers away from the
center of the subject body. Its purpose is to obtain all available ridge details.
2. Plain impressions – requires that the fingers to be taken or printed simultaneously, then the thumbs
without rolling. The purpose is to check the sequence of the rolled impressions as will as the minute
details of ridge characteristics.
Articles required:
1. Ink roller – for rolling out or distributing the ink on the slab
2. Ink slab or inking plate – made of plate glass or any smooth surfaced plate about ¼ thick and 6 or
more inches long, upon which to spread a thin film of fingerprint ink.
3. Fingerprint ink – known as job black. This is specially manufactured ink for purpose of taking
fingerprints.
4. Card holder – for holding the blank form or fingerprint card to avoid movement of the card during
printing.
5. Fingerprint card – 8” x 8”, white color. The card will receive the impressions of the fingers
6. Fingerprint pointer – foe tracing and counting the ridges of impressions when classifying
7. Magnifying glass or reading glass – use when counting or tracing the ridges, or when making
comparison of ridge characteristics
i. Two types of magnifying glass
1. Linen tester – having an opening one inch square, with a fixed focus, and
which can be folded and carried in the pocket when necessary
2. Bausch and Lomb magnifier – known as horseshoe magnifier, because it is in
the shape of a horseshoe with side stand. The lens is adjustable to suit the
visual light of the expert
8. Cleaning material such as:
a. Alcohol c. Cloth
b. Petroleum d. Cotton
9. A convenient sized table – four feet in height with square and sharp edges.
10. Post mortem fingerprint equipment – contains hypodermic syringe, spoon, tissue builder solvent,
tissue cleaner, etc.
11. Porelon pad – an inkless inking pad.

Can we force a person to be fingerprinted?

Ans: YES. As long as the person is under legal arrest he can be forced to be fingerprinted. A person under
arrest who refuses to be fingerprinted may be prosecuted by disobedience to the agent of the person in authority,
defined and finalized by art. 151 of R.P.C.

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEMS

VI. THE HENRY SYSTEM OF CLASSIFICATION WITH MODIFICATION AND EXTENSIONS

CLASSIFICATION – a formula derived for a complete set of ten-fingerprint pattern, or the arrangement of
fingerprints records into groups or sub-groups for filing purposes.
CLASSIFICATION LINE – this refers to the placed on the right upper corner of the fingerprint chart where
the classification formula is exhibited.

BLOCKING – The process of writing the symbols of the corresponding patterns on the spaces provided in the
fingerprint card. This is done to facilitate the assignment of number value.
Plain arch ------------------------------------ A
Tented arch ---------------------------------- T
Radial loop ---------------------------------- R
Ulnar loop ----------------------------------- U
Plain whorl ---------------------------------- W
Central pocket loop whorl ---------------- C - for index finger W – other finger
Double loop whorl ------------------------- D - for index finger W – other finger
Accidental loop whorl --------------------- X – for index finger W – other finger

5
 PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION – the sun of all numerical values 0f whorls found in the fingerprint card
expressed as numerators and denominator plus the pre-established fraction of 1/1.

Steps in obtaining the primary classification:

1. Pairing – the ten fingerprints from the corresponding fingers are divided into (5) five pairs
a. 1st pair composed of right thumb and right index fingers
b. 2nd pair composed of right middle and right ring fingers
c. 3rd pair composed of right little and left thumb fingers
d. 4th pair composed of left index and left middle fingers
e. 5th pair composed of left ring and left little fingers

2. Assigning numerical value to whorl patterns

a. 1st pair having the value of ------ 16
b. 2nd pair ----------------------------- -8
c. 3rd pair -------------------------------4
d. 4th pair -------------------------------2
e. 5th pair -------------------------------1
3. Knowing the numerator and the denominators
a. Numerators --------- right index, right ring, left thumb, left middle, left little
Or numbering 2,4,6,8 & 10 or write letter “M” to the finger boxes, all touches by
letter M, is numerator.
b. Denominator ------- right thumb, right middle, right little, left index, left ring
Or numbering 1,3,5,7 & 9 or untouched by letter M is your denominator
4. Summing up the numerical values of whorl assigned to the fingers plus the established
fraction of 1/1.

SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION – this is accomplished by assigning the letter symbol 0f the

pattern appearing on the fingerprint card. The secondary classification is indicated on the
classification line just to the right of the primary.

2 TYPES OF SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

1. Secondary by capital lettered group – this is accomplished by assigning the capital letter symbol
of the pattern appearing in the right index as the numerator and the pattern of the left index finger as
the denominator. A combination of the following symbols may come out:
Plain arch ----------------------------------------------A
Tented arch --------------------------------------------T
Radial loop --------------------------------------------R
Ulnar loop ----------------------------------------------U
Plain whorl --------------------------------------------W
Central pocket loop whorl ---------------------------C
Double loop whorl ------------------------------------D
Accidental loop whorl --------------------------------X
2. Secondary by small lettered group – this classification refers to the three types of fingerprint
patterns only; namely the plain arch, tented arch, and the radial loop. Whenever any or all of these
patterns appear in any finger or fingers, EXCLUDING, index fingers, its symbol is exhibited in the
classification line as:
a--------plain arch t--------tented arch r--------radial loop

SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION – this is derived through the process of ridge counting the
loops and ridge tracing the whorl type patterns appearing on the index, middle, and ring fingers of both
right and left hands, those of the right hand as the numerator and of the left hand as the denominator.
The plain arch and tented arch are neither ridge counted nor ridge traced; they are merely represented
by a (-) dash. The Sub-secondary formula is exhibited just to the right of the secondary in the
classification line.
Table of ridge counts of loops and the corresponding symbols
INDEX MIDDLE RING
1---9 (inclusive) = I 1---10 (inclusive) = I 1---13 (inclusive) = I
10 or more = O 11 or more = O 14 or more = O

6
RIDGE COUNTING- the process of counting the ridges that touch or cross an imaginary line or line
of count drawn between the core and delta of a loop, excluding the core and delta in the count.
Rules in ridge counting:
1. island ridge or dot ridge is given 1 ridge count
2. short ridge – 1 count
3. long ridge – 1 count
4. ending ridge – 1 count
5. criss crossing or meeting of two ridges whose point of intersection or convergence is on the
line of counts – 2 counts
6. a bifurcation whose point of forking is on the line of count – 2 counts
7. an eyelet or enclosure is on the line of counts – 2 counts
8. two eyelet or enclosure whose point of intersection is on the line of count – 4 counts
9. three ridges whose point of convergence is on the line of count – 3 count
10. an incipient ridge whose point on the line of count – no value
Incipient ridge – unusual type of ridges found in a small percentage of patterns: short, narrow, and
badly formed ridges found between two well-formed and full bodied ridges.
Whorls are ridge-traced and the result is represented by the symbol
I – for inner whorl
M – for meeting whorl
O – for outer whorl
RIDGE TRACING - the process of tracing the ridge that originates from the left delta is flowing
towards the right delta or near that point and determining the number of intervening ridges between the
traced ridge and the right delta to constitute the 3 or more subdivisions of whorls:
1. Inner whorl – the type in which the traced ridge reached the relevant point nearest the right
delta, and goes above or in-front it and there are 3 or more ridge intervening between such
ridge and the right delta, it is represented as capital letter I.
2. Meeting – the type in which the traced ridges goes directly to the right delta, or goes above, in
front, below or outside the ridge delta and there are less than 3 intervening ridges.
3. Outer – the type in which the ridge traced is below or outside the right delta and there are three
or more intervening ridges between the traced ridge and the right delta. It is represented by
capital letter O
RELATIVE POINT – is the point of the ridge directly opposite the right delta when an imaginary
line is drawn.

Rules in ridge tracing:

1. Ridge tracing always start from left delta proceeding towards the right delta or nearest to the
point.
2. Tracing goes across the pattern following its lower contour.
3. When the traced ridge ends abruptly, drop to the ridge below to continue the tracing until the
traced ridge runs into or comes to the opposite of the right delta.
4. When the ridge being traced is a bifurcation, always follow the lower branch until the tracing is
completed.

MAJOR DIVISION – this is done by ridge tracing of whorls and ridge counting of loops appearing
on the thumbs. The tracing is represented by the symbol I as inner, M as meeting, and O as outer. The
ridge count of loops is represented by the symbol of S as small, M – medium and L – large. The right
thumb serves as the numerator and the left thumb is the denominator. The major is placed just to the
left of the primary in the classification line.
The symbol for the ridge count of loops is obtained in the following tabulation:
Table A Table B
1 – 11 = S 1 – 17 = S
12 – 16 = M 18 – 22 = M
17 or more = L 23 or more = L
PROCEDURE:
1. always use table 1 for the loop pattern on the left thumb
2. when the pattern on the right thumb is a loop and that of the left thumb is not a loop, use table
1 for the right thumb

7
 3. when the ridge count of the loop in the left thumb is 16 or less, use table 1 for the loop pattern
in the right thumb
4. When the ridge count of the loop in the left thumb is 17 or over, use table two for loop pattern
in the right thumb.

KEY – is derived by ridge counting of the first loop in a set of prints (beginning with the right thumb),
EXCLUDING the little fingers, which are never considered for the key, as they are reserved for the
final. If there is no such loop in the fingerprint card, obtain the ridge count of the first whorl. In the
absence of loop and whorl, a symbol of (-) dash is exhibited to the classification line. The key, no
matter where found, is always placed to the extreme left of the numerator of the classification line.

FINAL CLASSIFICATION – is the exhibition in a numerical figure of the ridge count of loop or of
a whorl from either left or right little finger. The right little finger is the numerator and the left little
finger is the denominator.
Procedure of ridge counting of whorl type pattern:
1. a plain whorl and central pocket loop whorl shall be treated as Ulnar loop, which means that if
in the right hand, the left delta is used in ridge counting, and if in the left hand, the right delta is
used.
2. In double loop whorl the count is made between the lower deltas to the core of the ascending or
upright loop.
3. An accidental whorl must be ridge counted from the extreme corresponding delta to the nearest
core (least Number of ridge count). In a way accidental is treated as an Ulnar.

THE NCIC CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM

The following two letter or number codes are used to identify the fingerprint pattern type in the National
Crime Information Center classification system:

1. Plain arch AA
2. Tented arch TT
3. Ulnar loop the ridge count
4. Radial loop the ridge count plus 50
5. Plain whorl P plus the tracing I, M, O.
6. Central pocket loop C plus the tracing I, M, O.
7. Double loop whorl small d plus tracing I, M, O.
8. Accidental X plus the tracing I, M, O.
9. Missing finger XX
10. Scar or mutilation SR

The fingers are listed in the order of the finger numbers on a ten-finger fingerprint card, starting with
the right thumb as number 1. A typical NCIC classification would appear as follows:
AA5612CIPMdM661415XX
This classification is placed in the twenty small boxes that appear just above the fingerprints pattern

8
BATTLEY SINGLE FINGERPRINT METHOD – a system of classifying and filing single fingerprint
devised by Harry Battley, former chief, new Scotland Yard Fingerprint Bureau.

9
VII. CLASSIFICATION OF SCARRED PATTERNS, AMPUTATIONS AND MISSING FINGERS AT
BIRTH
SCARRED PATTERN
1. When a fingerprint is so marred by a scar or amputated or missing that the general type is
unrecognizable and the ridge counting and ridge tracing cannot be determined, the impression should be
given the same interpretation and sub-classification with the corresponding finger of the other hand.
2. When a fingerprint is partially scarred or partially amputated and the general pattern type can be
determined with reasonable accuracy but thee ridges cannot be counted or traced, the impression should
be given the ridge count or ridge tracing value of the corresponding finger of the other hand, if the
corresponding finger is of the same general type. If the corresponding finger is not the same general
type, the scarred impression should be given a provable value and reference to all other possible
combination.
3. When the fingerprint is amputated or so scarred beyond recognition and the ridge counting and ridge
tracing cannot be determine with reasonable accuracy, and it so happens that the corresponding finger
of the other hand is also amputated or scarred, both pattern are arbitrarily interpreted as MEETING
WHORLS.

VIII. FINGERPRINT FILING

FINGERPRINT FILE – an orderly arrangement or collection of cards containing recorded finger impressions
of different individual that have been classified.

FILING – refers to the operations of locating the proper place in a fingerprint file where a certain set of prints
belongs and depositing it there.

Order of filing with corresponding guide cards:

1. Primary denominator (green) 6. Sub-secondary numerator
2. Primary numerator 7. Major division denominator (light blue)
3. Secondary denominator (red) 8. Major division numerator
4. Secondary numerator 9. Final numerator (yellow)
5. Sub-secondary (denominator (white) 10. Key (orange)
Catch or ident – (in fingerprint parlance) the location or finding of a previously filed duplicate record card of the
subject.

IX. LATENT PRINTS

- Are those markings, usually rather indistinct, left by oily matter or perspiration exuded from the fingertips
upon any objects, which the finger may touch.
- (Hidden or concealed) Fingerprints found at the scene of the crime.
Three kinds of latent prints
By B.C. Bridges By Soderman and O’Connell
1. Semi-visible 1. Plastic prints
2. Visible 2. Visible prints
3. Invisible 3. Latent prints
1. Semi-visible – (plastic prints) – may be formed on plastic objects such as melted paraffin from a burning
candle, tar, paste, fat, butter and soap.
2. Visible prints – is left by the finger smeared with some colored substance, generally blood, dirt and paint.
They are seldom clear and often resemble common stain.
3. Invisible (latent print) – are generally invisible, as the name implied. Sometimes it is seen on smooth
surfaces with the aid of indirect light.
Smudge prints – are those indistinct prints caused by moving or sliding of the finger at the time they are
imprinted.
Fragmentary prints – are those that show only a portion of the pattern or of the friction skin.
Searching for latent prints:
1. Precaution is important, do not remove the object from the original position or touched by your
forefinger anything that require fingerprint examination.
2. Search of latent prints should be conducted in a systematic way and intelligent manner.
3. Attention be given to objects, such as guns, door knobs, glasses, window, papers, bottle, and protect and
preserve intact any latent print developed. If you think you cannot do it alone, call immediately
laboratory technicians to assist you.

ACCIDENTAL PRINTS – plain finger impressions left on smooth surface subconsciously by the subject in
the commission of crime.

10
 METHOD OF DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS

1. Powder method – the development of latent prints with the application of powder to the print in a
manner that the powder will adhere to the moisture left by the ridges of the finger.
Different process of applying fingerprint powder
a. Brush on method
b. Rolling method
c. Spray method ( with the use of spray container or atomizer )
2. Fuming method – the process of developing latent prints by employing vapors that reacts with the
chemical composition in the latent print.

Different processes of fuming latent prints:

a. Cold iodine method – placing the object bearing the latent print face down, towards the
iodine crystal. The fume will give to show as the crystal reached room temperature.
b. Hot iodine method – the object bearing the latent print is placed down towards the iodine
crystal heated by an alcohol burner.
c. Glass blower (Mac Morris method) – the use of special fuming instrument, which consist of
two connected glass tube. One containing iodine crystals and the other anhydrous calcium
chloride, both suspended by glass wool in the tubes. The fume is produced by blowing through
the tube aimed at the latent print.
d. Iodine-silver transfer method – the process in which the object is first fumed and then the
silver transfer sheet of plate is placed down over it without pressing. The plate is then lifted and
exposed to a photoflood bulb.
e. Fixation – the process of making fumed prints more or less permanent.

3. Liquid method – applying reagent (liquid chemical solution) on the suspected area and expose the
fingerprint found there.
Various detection techniques through liquid method
a. Silver nitrate method – silver nitrate solution is applied on the latent print. Silver nitrate reacts
with the salts of latent prints residue to form silver chloride, which darkens when exposed to
light. (dark brown)
b. Ninhydrin method – this is based on the reaction between the amino acid in the secretion and
the ninhydrin solution (ninhydrin acetone solution and the ninhydrin petroleum benzene).
(bluish purple color)
4. Casting – the process of putting synthetic material for prints found in dust, flour, soap, and any other
finally powdered materials to acquire a negative mould of such print.
Casting material:
a. Plaster of Paris – a white powder used by sculptor, which is melted by ordinary water, and
poured upon the impression to be casted.
b. Moulage – a synthetic material like a rubber that may be melted with moderate heat, and
poured upon the impression.

X. PREPARATION OF FINGERPRINT CHART FOR COURT PRESENTATION

Four important elements in comparing two fingerprints
1. Prints must be on the same type of patterns.
2. The quality of the friction ridges must conform in both prints
3. The number of charted ridge characteristics must correspond in both latent and inked prints.
4. Location, direction, and distances of friction ridges must be in agreement in both prints.

Different methods of comparison or latent print with the standard fingerprint of the Suspect
1. Ordinary method – the making of the points of identity, and after another, by means of lines drawn
from them to the margin, designated by the numbers arranged in consecutive order and in clockwise
direction. There are three methods of presenting identical points in the comparison of two fingerprint
enlargement, namely:
a. Simple method
b. Modified method
c. Drawn method
2. Osborne method – the two enlarged photographs are divided each into square, both exactly alike, with
the square occupying identical positions on each, and the examining them in their order squares for
squares.
3. Seymour method – making a skeleton tracing of the questioned print and that of the standard print of
the suspect, and making comparison by facing them together and holding them near a reflector.

11
4. Pricking method – placing the photograph of the standard prints over the photograph of the chance
impression in the same position then pricks the identical points with a needle to determine if they
coincide with one another.

Identical points necessary to be admitted as fingerprints evidence in court.

1. Where there are more than twelve evident points and the impression is clear, the identification is
absolute.
2. Where there are more than eight and twelve points, certainly depends upon the following:
a. The clearness of the type
b. The rarity of the type
c. The presence of core or delta in the part of the pattern that is decipherable

3. According to two famous authorities, B. Wentworth and H. Wilder, and others, six (6) or eight (8)
points well grouped, defining a center of exceptional form constitutes such a perfect proof of identity as
to give no grounds for argument.

12