Forensic Science
Fingerprint Notes
3.16.09
History of Fingerprinting
 Replaced_____________________________________________________
Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints
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


Three Ways to Leave a Fingerprint
1. ____________________ print

2. ____________ print

3. ____________ print

Latent Prints
 Made up of:




Fingerprint Patterns
 Loops
 Ridge lines ________________________________________
_________________________________________________
 __________ of population

Whorls


__________________________________pattern
__________ of population

Arches
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
Ridge lines ________________________________________
_________________________________________________
__________ of population
6 Ridge Characteristics
 Bifurcation - _________________________________________________

Enclosure - __________________________________________________
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Ridge Ending - _______________________________________________

Island or Dot - _______________________________________________
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Ridge Crossing - _____________________________________________

Short Ridge - ________________________________________________
Sketches of selected fingerprint characteristics:
Loops
 _______________________ open towards____________

_______________________ open towards____________

Must have one or more______________________________________
___________________________________________________________
Whorls
 ____________________________

A plain or central pocket whorl have ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Arches
 ____________________
Label at least 5 Characteristics on the following two prints. Include the type of
print that it represents.
Quick Time™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
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QuickTime™ and a
TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
are needed to see this picture.