CHAPTER
6
Fingerprints
Objectives
6.1 Discuss the history of fingerprinting.
6.2 Describe the characteristics of fingerprints.
6.3 Identify the basic types of fingerprints.
6.4 Describe how criminals attempt to alter their fingerprints.
6.5 Determine the reliability of fingerprints as a means of identification.
6.6 Explain how fingerprint evidence is collected.
6.7 Describe the latest identification technologies.
6.8 Determine if a fingerprint matches a fingerprint on record.
6.9 Use the process of lifting a latent print.
Chapter 6 Reading Guide
Define all key vocabulary terms listed below:
1. Arch
2. Core
3. Delta
4. Fingerprint
5. Latent fingerprint
6. Loop
7. Minutiae
8. Patent fingerprint
9. Plastic fingerprint
10. Ridge pattern
11. Ten card
12. Whorl
Introduction
1. Describe Mark Twain’s Pudd’nhead Wilson novel and its relevance to forensic science.
Historical Development
1. Describe the historical development fingerprint identification:
a. Babylon (1792-1750 B.C.)
b. 3rd Century B.C. in China
c. 1684
d. 1788
e. 1823
f.
1856
g. 1883
h. 1888
i.
1891
j.
1896
2. Describe the ten card.
What Are Fingerprints?
1. Describe how frictions ridges are created.
2. Define fingerprint.
3. Describe the imprint of a fingerprint.
4. Draw and describe Figure 6-6.
Formation of Fingerprints
1. Explain how fingerprints form in the womb.
Characteristics of Fingerprints
1. Describe the three basic fingerprints in terms of features and percentage of the population with
each pattern:
a. Arches
b. Whorls
c. Loops
2. Describe the following fingerprint characteristics:
a.
Core
b. Delta
c. Ridge Count Area
3. Draw and describe Figure 6-8.
4. Review Figure 6-9 Types of Whorl Pattern and describe the features of each pattern and the
percentage of the population with each pattern:
a. Plain whorl
b. Central pocket loop whorl
c. Double loop whorl
d. Accidental Whorl
5. Review Figure 6-10 Types of Arch Pattern and describe the features of each pattern and the
percentage of the population with each pattern:
a. Plain arch
b. Tented arch
6. Explain the relationship between minutiae and fingerprint identification.
7. What is the average number of ridge characteristics on the average full fingerprint?
8. Draw Figure 6-11 Some minutiae patterns used to analyze fingerprints.
Types of Fingerprints
1. Describe patent fingerprints.
2. Describe plastic fingerprints.
3. Describe latent fingerprints.
4. Describe how fingerprints can be made visible during forensic inspection.
5. Describe how fingerprints of suspects are taken.
Fingerprint Forensic FAQs
Can Fingerprints Be Altered or Disguised?
1. Describe how John Dillinger altered his fingertips.
2. Is fingerprint altercation permanent?
How Reliable Is Fingerprinting as a Means of Identification?
1. Describe human mistakes described in this section related to analyzing fingerprints.
How Are Fingerprints Analyzed?
1. Describe the general process of fingerprint identification.
2. Describe the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS or AFIS).
How Are Latent Fingerprints Collected?
1. Describe the method used to collect latent fingerprints.
2. Describe proper evidence collection protocol.
3. Draw Figure 6-15 Methods used for visualizing latent fingerprints.
The Future of Fingerprinting
1. Describe the future of fingerprinting in forensic science.
2. Describe proposed advanced in technology.
Case Studies
1. Summarize the Pedro Ramon Velasquez (1892) Case Study.
2. Summarize the Stephen Cowans (1997) Case Study.