Fingerprinting.

notebook October 23, 2015

A fingerprint is the impression made by thepapillary ridgeson the ends of

the fingers and thumbs. These ridges form in the womb (12 weeks) and do
not alter with growth or age.
Each ridge of the epidermis (outer skin) is dotted with sweat pores for its
entire length and is anchored to the dermis (inner skin) by a double row
of peg­like protrusions called papillae. It is the papillae which makes our
unique print. Only and injury that destroys or alters the dermal papillae
will alter a print permanently.

An obvious ending to a papillary

ridge

A "y" shaped split on a ridge that breaks

the ridge into 2 or more parts.

A very short ridge that

appears more like a dot

Families share characteristic similarities in prints, but not even

identical twins share the same complete fingerprint pattern!
Fingerprinting.notebook October 23, 2015

The technique of fingerprinting for identification purposes began with

a classification system set up by Sir Francis Galton and Sir Edward
Henry. The system was first used by Scotland Yard in 1901 and an
adaptation of this system is still used today by the FBI
The study of fingerprinting is known asdactyloscopy, and the
Henry System of Identification is used to make the manual id
of prints. With the modern technology of today we refer to
the use of biological factors for identification as biometrics
(DNA, eye print etc...)

Fingerprints are classified by several factors:

1. Shapes and contours of the individual print

patterns

2. Counting the number of ridges and loops

3. Tracing ridges and whorls

Fingerprinting.notebook October 23, 2015

ridge ending (2,3)

birfurcation (1,4,13,14,)

The FBI recognizes 3 key types of prints: the whorls, the loop, and the
arch.
Whorls are usually circular or spiral in shape.

Arches have a distinct mound­like contour.

Loops contain many ridges with a distinct loop­like

pattern.
Fingerprinting.notebook October 23, 2015

Loops constitute 65% of all

total fingerprint patterns.

Whorls make up 30% of the

total fingerprint patterns and
arches 5%.

The most common pattern is

the ulnar loop
Slopes towards the little
finger side of hand.
Slopes towards the thumb side of the
hand.

With modern biometric technology,

fingerprints can be classified and identified
within 2 hours and 98% accuracy by checking
all state and federal fingerprint databases. The
program uses spatial geometry to find matches
in print patterns.
Fingerprinting.notebook October 23, 2015

Videos on how to collect fingerprints

http://www.crime­scene­investigator.net/csi­video.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqFzVfPRd5s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iomWm3_Qvhk
Fingerprinting.notebook October 23, 2015