Criminalistics 1: Personal Identification
Jessie B Simbulas, RCrim
Criminalistics
Forensic - came from the Latin term forensis meaning in open court or public, the
term was derived from the old Latin term forum which means market place.
Criminalistics - it refers to the application of the principles of various sciences in
solving problems in connection with the administration of justice.
Dr. Hans Gross – he is an Australian magistrate to described “Search for Truth” as
the goal of all investigative and detective works. He is known as the Father of Modern
Criminalistics.
Dr. Paul Kirk - Father of Criminalistics in U.S.
Personal Identification
Means of Personal Identification
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Tattoo
Scar
Photograph
Fingerprint
DNA
Law of Multiplicity of Evidence - The greater number of similarities or
dissimilarities; the greater is the probability for the conclusion to be correct.
Alphonse Bertillion- Father of Personal Identification. The first to devise a scientific
method of identification called Anthropometry. He is also known to be the father of
“Mug shot” photography.
Anthropometry - is the first scientific method of personal identification which is
done by measuring the various bony structure of the human body.
West case:
In 1903, Will West have arrived at the US Petretentiary at the Leavenworth,
kaneas. While West was being processed in through identification, a staff member
said that there was already a photograph and Bertillon measurement for him on the
file. But a comparison on fingerprints showed that despite identical appearances and
nearly identical Bertillon measurements, the identification card on file belonged to a
William West, who had been in Leavenworth since 1901.
Historical Background and Personalities
Fingerprint was first used by the Chinese as a form of authentication in their
documents.
Nehemiah Grew is the first person to publish a study describing ridges and pores of
the hand and feet.
Marcelo Malpighi discovered the two layers of the skin, the dermis (inner layer) and
epidermis (outer layer) and became known as Grandfather of Fingerprint.
Sir Francis Galton is a British Anthropologist and Biologist who published his study
on classification and filing system using all the ten (10) fingers. He assigned the
patterns in to three (3) general types: Arches, Loops and Whorls. He said that the
possibility of two prints being alike was 1:65,000,000,000.
Johannes Purkenjie – Professor at the University of Breslau, Germany. Established a
certain role for classification and be able to identify nine (9) types of pattern although
never associated to identification. Father of Dactyloscopy
William Herschel – the first to advocate the use of fingerprints as substitute for
signature from among Indian native to avoid impersonation.
Juan Vucetich – A Spanish counterpart of Henry who developed his own system of
classification in Argentina and was accepted in almost all Spanish Speaking country.
Inspector Eduardo Alvarez - At Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1892, he made the first
criminal fingerprint identification. He was able to identify Francisca Rojas, a woman
who murdered her two sons and cut her own throat to place the blame on anothers.
Her bloody print was left on a door post, proving her identity as the murderer. Alvarez
was trained by Juan Vucetich.
Rojas Case – first murder case solved using fingerprint examination.
Edward Richard Henry – Developed the Henry System of Classification at Scotland
Yard which was accepted by almost all English-speaking country. Known as Father
of Fingerprint.
IN AMERICA
Gilbert Thompson - a geologist in New Mexico, adopted the first individual use of
fingerprint in august 8, 1882 as a protection to prevent tampering with the pay order.
Mary K. Holand - first American instructress in dactyloscopy.
People vs. Jennings, Dec. 21, 1911 = United States leading case wherein the first
conviction based on fingerprint was recognized by the judicial authorities.
IN THE PHILIPPINES
Mr. Jones = one who first taught FP in the Phils. (1900)
Generoso Reyes – First Filipino Fingerprint Technician employed by P.C.
Isabela Bernales – first Filipina Fingerprint Technician
Capt. Thomas Dugan, New York Police Dept. and Flaviano Guerrero, FBI
Washington – gave the first examination in FP in 1927 and Agustin Patricio of the
Phils. Top the Examination
People of the Phils. Vs. Medina- First conviction base on Fingerprint and leading
case decision in the Phil. Jurisprudence.
Basic Principles of Fingerprint
Principle of Individuality
No two persons have the same fingerprint
Principle of Constancy or Permanency
That the friction ridge once fully developed its arrangement will remain the same
throughout man’s life.
Ridge Formation – (Ridges starts to form in the fingers and thumb during the 3rd to
4th months of the fetus life.)
Dermal Papillae - 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.
Principle of Infallibility
That fingerprint is a positive and reliable means of identification.
forged easily.
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It cannot be
John Dellinger – known U.S. public enemy number one who attempt to
destroy his own prints using corrosive acids.
Robert James Pitts – works on Surgery to forge his own fingerprints and was
named “Man without fingerprint”.
Ridge Destruction – destruction of the friction skin can either be temporary or
permanent. Generally temporary destruction occurs 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
a. Destruction of the Epidermis – temporary, dermis – permanent damage.
b. Cut - a depth of more than 1 mm will constitute permanent scar.
Science of Fingerprint
Fingerprints
It is an impression design by the first joint of the fingers and thumb on smooth
surface through the media of ink, sweat or any substance capable of producing
visibility.
Phalange - is the skeletal finger covered with friction skin. It is made up of three
bones.
a. Basal or proximal phalange – it is located at the base of the finger
nearest the palm.
b. Middle phalange - the next and above the basal done.
c. Terminal phalange - the bone covered with friction skin, having all the
different types of fingerprint patterns and it is located near the tip of the
finger.
Friction Skin – is an epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface
of the hands and feet covered with ridges and furrows. It is also called as papillary
skin.
Components of the Friction Skin
1. Ridge surface
a. Ridge – the 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 opening/ the tiny white dots.
3. Sweat duct – the hose like structure that serves as th sweat passage way.
4. Sweat glands – the producers of sweat.
Fundamental Layers of the Friction Skin
1. Epidermis – the outermost layer
a. Stratum Corneum,
b. Stratum mucosum
2. Dermis – the inner layer containing the blood vessel, dermal papillae, various
glands and nerves.
Various Conditions of the finger:
a. Polydactyl - born with more than 10 fingers.
b. Macrodactyl - having enlarged finger.
c. Microdactyl - having small finger.
d. Ectodactyl - born with missing finger
e. Syndactyl - side fusion of the fingers.
Dactyloscopy
Dactyloscopy – (derived from the Latin words Dactyl = finger and Skopien – to
study or examine) is the practical application of the science of fingerprints.
(classification & identification)
Dactylography – is the scientific study of fingerprint as a means of identification.
Dactylomancy – is the scientific study of fingerprint for purposes of personality
interpretation.
Dermatoglyphics = is the science which deals with the study of skin pattern. It is
derived from two Greek words, Derma which means Skin and Glype which means
Carve.
Related Sciences to the Study of Fingerprint:
1. Chiroscopy – (Greek word “ Cheir” – a hand, “Skopien” –to examine) is the
science which deals with the study of the prints of the palms of the hand.
2. Podoscopy – (Greek word “Podo” – the foot, and Skopien – to examine) is the
science which deals with the study of the footprints.
3. Poroscopy – (Greek word “poros” – a pare, and “Skopien” – to examine) is the
scientific study of the arrangement of the sweat pores. (Edmond Locard- Father
of Poroscopy)
Edgeoscopy - study of the sides of the friction ridges.
Ridgeoscopy - study of ridges.
Fingerprint Characteristics and Pattern
Ridge Characteristics (Galton’s Details)
1. Ridge Dot (island ridge) – refers to a ridge formation in a form of a dot or
period.
2. Bifurcation – a ridge formation in which a single ridge splits or divides into two
or more ridges. It resembles a fork shape.
3. Converging Ridge – two ridges that meets at a certain point
4. Diverging Ridge – the spreading apart of two ridges that previously running
parallel or nearly parallel.
5. Enclosure or Lake ridge – a single ridge that divides into two but does not
remain open and meet at a certain point to form the original single ridge.
6. Ending ridge – it refers to an abrupt end of a ridge
9. Recurving ridge – a single ridges that curves back to the direction where it
started.
10. Sufficient Recurve – a recurving ridge which is complete with its shoulder and
free from any appendage.
11. Appendage – is a short ridge found at the top or summit of a recurve.
12. Rod or Bar – is a short of long ridge found inside the recurve and directed
towards the core or parallel to the recurve.
Type lines – is a diverging ridge that tends to surround the pattern area and serves as
a basic boundary of fingerprint impression.
Pattern Area – is a part of a loop of whorl pattern surrounded by the type lines and
consisting of the delta, the core and other ridges.
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.
The Fingerprint Patterns
1. The Arch (5%) (Pattern without ridge count)
a. Plain Arch (A) – is a pattern in which the ridges flow from one side to the other
side with a slight raise at the center.
b. Tented Arch (T) – is a type of pattern having either an angle, uptrust or an
incomplete loop form.
2. The Loop (60%) - the pattern in which one or more of the ridges enter on either
side of the impression, recurve, touch or pass upon an imaginary line drawn from the
delta to the core and terminate or tend to terminate in or toward the same side of the
impression from where such ridge or ridges enter.
Elements of loop
1. A core
3. A sufficient Recurve
2. A delta
4. At least one Ridge count
a. Radial Loop (RH=/. LH=\) is a type of loop pattern in which the slanting or
looping ridge flows towards the thumb finger.
b. Ulnar Loop (RH=\, LH=/) is a type of loop pattern in which the slanting or
looping ridge flows towards the little finger.
Ridge Counting - the process of counting the ridges intervening between the delta
and the core. Neither the delta nor the core is counted when an imaginary line is
drawn connecting them.
3. The Whorl (35%)
Basic Elements of Whorl
1. Two or more Deltas
2. At least one complete circuiting ridge
a. Plain Whorl (W) - At least one circuiting ridge is touched or crossed by the
imaginary line traversing between the two deltas.
b. Central Pocket Loop Whorl - No circuiting ridge within the pattern area is
touched or crosses by an imaginary line drawn between the two deltas.
c. Double Loop Whorl - consist of two separate and distinct loop formations, with
two sets of shoulders and two deltas. One of the loops surrounds or overlaps the other
and called composite pattern, like the central pocket loop whorl.
d. Accidental Whorl - it is a pattern consisting of a combination of two or more
different types of pattern except plain arch with two or more deltas.
Whorl Tracing – When the deltas have been located, the ridge emanating from the
lower side or point of the extreme left delta is traced until the point nearest or opposite
the extreme right delta is reached. The number of ridges intervening between the
tracing ridge and the right delta are then counted.
Ridge traced inside is three or more – Inner or “I”
Ridge traced outside is three or more – Outer or “O”
Ridge traced inside/outside is two or less – Meeting or “M”
Print Impressions, Tools and Methods
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:
1. Ink Slab – is a metallic or glass plate where the ink is spread for purpose
2. Ink Roller – is a rubber made roller designed to spread the fingerprint ink
to the slab.
3. Fingerprint Ink – is a special form of ink designed for taking fingerprint
impression sometimes submitted with a printer’s ink.
4. Fingerprint card – is an 8” x 8” card designed for recording fingerprint
impression
5. 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:
1. Subject should be instructed to stand straight but relax facing the slab.
2. The subject hand should be completely dry
3. Both Thumb fingers are rolled towards the body while other fingers
are rolled away from the body.
In case of Split/Webbed thumb, it should be rolled together and be classified
based on: = (1) get the bigger one; If of the same size, Get the inner one.
In case of Polydactyl or extra finger which is totally separate: Print the extra
finger on the other side of the card and make a note.
Fingerprint Classification Formula:
1. Blocking-out – is the process if placing under each pattern the letter
symbols representing their pattern interpretation prior to the actual
classification formula.
2. Classification Formula = is the result of the evaluation and interpretation
of the ten (10) fingerprints applying the principle of ridge counting, ridge
tracing.
a. Primary Division. Always represented by a numerical value assigned to whorl
patterns depending on what finger they appear.
Arch and Loop are non-numerical patterns. A, T, / \ = Zero (0)
Whorl patterns.(WCDX)
(16) Finger 1 and 2
Right Thumb and Right Index
(8) Finger 3 and 4
Right middle and Right Ring
(4) Finger 5 and 6
Right little and Left Thumb
(2) Finger 7 and 8
Left Index and Left middle
(1) Finger 9 and 10 Left Ring and Left Little
The sum of the numerical
value assigned to even number of finger represent the numerator and the sum of the
assigned value to odd number represent the denominator Plus the pre-established
fraction of l/1 to complete the primary.
b. Secondary – Represented by Capital and small letter combination based on
interpretation made during the blocking.
Capital letter – derived from the index fingers which can be
(A, T, U, R, W, C, D or X).
Small letter – derived from the thumb, middle, ring and little fingers.
It only includes the radial loop (r), plain arch (a) and tented arch (t).
c. Sub-secondary Division – derived by ridge counting of loop and ridge
Tracing of whorl found at the index, middle ring fingers only.
C.1. Ridge counting of Loop
Index
Middle
Ring
1 to 9 = I
1 to 10 = I
1 to 13 = I
10 or more =O
11 or more = O 14 or more = O
c.2 Ridge Tracing of Whorl
Inner Whorl (I) When the tracing goes above or inside the right delta and there are
three (3) or more intervening ridges.
Outer Whorl (O) when the tracing ridge goes below or outside the right delta and
there are three (3) or more intervening ridges.
Meeting Whorl (M) when there are only two or less intervening ridge/s
c.3
Plain Arch and Tented Arch are always dash (-)
d. Major Division (Taken from Thumb fingers only)
d.1 Whorl = Ridge tracing = I, O, or M.
d.2
Loop = Ridge Counting = S, M or L
Left Thumb
Right Thumb
1 to 11 = S
12 to 16 = M
1 to 11 = S
12 to 16 = M
17 or more = L
17 or more = L
1 to 17 = S
18 to 22 = M
d
r more
=L
d.3 Arch = dash (-)
e. Final Division (derived from the little fingers only).
e.1
Loop and Whorl are both subject to ridge counting.
Radial or Ulnar = the usual process.
Plain or Central pocket loop Whorl = will be treated as an ulnar loop.
Double loop Whorl – get the ridge count of the top loop
Accidental Whorl = get the least ridge count.
e.2 Arch = dash (-)
f. Key Division = derived by getting the ridge count of the first (l) loop except the
little fingers. In the absence of the loop, the first whorl will be ridge counted for the
purpose.
Latent Prints = prints found at the scene of the crime.
Types of latent prints
1. 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.
2. Invisible prints = prints that are generally made by sweat or perspiration that
requires developing for visibility.
Chance prints = prints left on a place unconsciously or accidentally.
Smudge prints = prints made by sliding motion of the finger.
Fragmentary prints = partial prints (impression).
Factors Affecting Stability or Prints at the Crime Scene
a. Subject Factor
b. Nature of the surface
c. Climatic Condition
Instrument used for developing latent prints:
a. Fingerprint powder.
b. Fingerprint brush
c. Latent Print transfer card - used to preserve developed latent prints.
d. Fingerprint Strip Holder - used to hold card for post mortem fingerprint.
e. Magnifying lens (Horse-shoe type) expert magnifying lens.
Things that may not be done in the crime scene
a. Do not lift without taking photographs
b. Do not lift on small movable object
c. Do not remove object without taking photograph
d .Do not place powder to the entire crime scene
e. Do not develop visible latent print
Methods of Developing Prints:
1. Powder/solid/ or Mechanical Method – reagents which must adhere or stocked to
the sweat must be used. Suitable surfaces for this technique are glass, porcelain,
ceramic, pottery, metallic item, plastic and bamboo. Prints are collected by:
a. Use of lifting material (gelatin paper, lifter, cellophane tape, transparent vinyl
tape and adhesive tapes); and
b. Photographs
A suitable powder (e.g. black powder, aluminum powder, lycopodium, SP black
powder) is selected and used according to the conditions of impressions and object.
Sometimes, two or more kinds of powder are used in mixture. This is called mixture
powder. The mixing proportion varies according to the climate, humidity, degree of
dryness/wetness of an object. The most commonly used mixture is that of aluminum
powder (grey) and lycopodium, which is effective for suppressing adhesiveness.
Techniques of Powder method:
a) Brushing Method – the brush tip is dipped into a small quantity of powder
and lightly brush on the surface of where latent prints maybe found; thereafter lightly
sweep excess powder to clean it; applied to dry, slippery and sticky surfaces.
b) Use of spray gun – when prints are found on large object, large space, wide
area. Ex. Leather, synthetic, etc.
c) Rolling (rocking) method – place appropriate quantity of powder on an object
to be examined, lightly bend and tilt, spreading out powder all over the object in order
that the powder shall adhere to the fingerprints, the fingerprint is developed by
flipping the back side of the object to remove excess powder. Applied to high quality
dried paper.
d) Light-striking method or Patting Method – after having the powder adhere
to a fingerprint, lightly strike the object to be examined with a brush tip to which the
powder has been applied, the fingerprint is developed with another brush to which no
powder is applied or by air blowing with a blower-brush or a spray to remove excess
powder.
e) Sprinkling Method – white powder – applied on rubber, leather, greasy
fingerprint.
2. Liquid or Chemical Method – use of reagent on the suspected area and expose the
fingerprint marked there. Take a photo of the exposed fingerprint as the fingerprint
sampling is acted.
Suitable objects adapted to this method; paper, wood, metal wood and scoth tape
adhesives.
a. Use of Victoria Blue – either by applying method or soaking method, it is used on
the different kinds of adhesive materials. This method is also known as dyeing
method. Originally Victoria pure blue is used to dye the material.
b. Gas Applying Method – is effective on any type of surfaces (Porous or
Non-porous). Spray the gasified reagent into the suspected area to detect fingerprint at
the crime scene, then take photo record of the exposed fingerprint. Most common
agent is the gas in a Mighty Bond (Cyanoacrelate)
Applicable for metal, plastics, painted wood, leather, adhesive tape, glossy paper,
plywood, skin of human body.
c. Ninhydrin Method – There are two solutions of the ninhydrin powder, namely:
ninhydrin petroleum benzine and ninhydrin acetone solution. This is applied by
soaking a brush into the solution, and then applies on the paper in a single stroke until
the entire suspected portion containing latent prints is covered. At normal atmospheric
temperature, the latent print is observed after 24 hours of application. To confirm the
print in a short time the use of a flat iron may be used. Dry the paper using a portable
ninhydrin heater, if none, just let it dry.
* The application of the solution will have a chemical reaction between the amino
acid and ninhydorine that will change the color into bluish purple.
d. Amino Black - Is a protein dye, which can be used to develop latent prints made
with blood stained friction skin. It is necessary to take sample of bloodstains for
typing before using amino black.