FINGERPRINTING ANALYSIS

Please Consider in 5 sentences Should everyone in the United States be fingerprinted? Explain your reasoning.

Prehistoric Fingerprinting Ancient Babylonians Fingerprints were used on clay tablets for business transactions Ancient China Thumbprints found in clay seals

A Chinese deed of sale, 1839, signed with a fingerprint

History of Fingerprinting 1858 – Sir William Herschel An English Chief Magistrate in India Had people record their fingerprints when signing business documents

History of Fingerprinting 1880 - Henry Faulds Noticed fingerprints on prehistoric pottery Published an article in “Nature” (world renouned science journal saying fingerprints could be used for identification Wrote to his cousin, Charles Darwin, asking for help with developing a classification system Darwin forwarded the letter to his cousin, Sir Francis Galton

History of Fingerprints 1880 Henry Faulds Suggested possibility of using fingerprints left at crime scene 1882 Gilbert Thompson First use of fingerprints in U.S Henry Faulds (1843-1930) Click on receipt to see larger image

History of Fingerprinting 1883 – Alphonse Bertillon 1st systematic attempt at personal identification Anthropometry Body height Length of middle finger Length of left foot Length of outstretched reach of both arms Width of head Length of head

History of Fingerprinting 1892 – Sir Francis Galton Published textbook Finger Prints Outlined a fingerprint identification system Suggested methods for recording fingerprints Assigned three pattern types Loops, Whorls, Arches Demonstrated two fundamental principles underlying fingerprint identification system Uniqueness Permanence

History of Fingerprints Uniqueness Galton calculated that there was a possible existence of 64 billion different fingerprints No two fingerprints have yet been found that are identical Even identical twins have different fingerprints Permanence A fingerprint remains unchanged during an individual’s lifetime

History of Fingerprinting 1891 – Juan Vucetich Developed a searchable filing system for fingerprints Used in most Spanish-speaking countries Made one of 1st criminal fingerprint identifications 1897 – Sir Edward Richard Henry Developed another searchable filing system Adopted by Scotland Yard, in England.

History of Fingerprinting In 1903, Will West thought he was fooling the system at Leavenworth Penitentiary by stating that he was not already in the system at the Penitentiary for a previous crime. The clerk decided to look up his Bertillon number anyway. What was found was another man serving a life sentence for murder, already imprisoned in the Penitentiary, named William West This flaw in the system would have never been noticed, had Will West not lied when entering the Penitentiary for a second time in 1903 Will West William West

History of Fingerprinting 1904 – World’s Fair US police officers received training from Scotland Yard representatives 1924 – FBI identification records Federal Bureau of Investigations and Leavenworth Penitentiary merged and moved to Washington D.C.

What are Fingerprints? Friction skin ridges found on the palm side of the fingers and thumbs Also found on palms, toes, and soles of feet Designed for firmer grasp and to prevent slippage

SOME PICTURES

What are Fingerprints? Human skin is composed of layers Epidermis = outer skin Dermis = inner skin Dermal papillae = separates two layers Determines pattern of ridges on skin’s surface Develop in fetus and enlarge during growth

Dermal papillae separating the two layers of dermis

Ridge Characteristics Minutiae Details in a fingerprint Identity, number, and location imparts individuality to a fingerprint Used to make a point by point comparison by expert fingerprint examiners

Chapter 4 Fingerprint Minutiae Kendall/Hunt

Ridgeology: The study of the uniqueness of friction ridge structures and their use for personal identification. A fingerprint is made of a series of ridges and valleys on the surface of the finger. The uniqueness of a fingerprint can be determined by the pattern of ridges and valleys as well as the minutiae points ( ), which are points where the ridge structure changes. The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. In fact, koala fingerprints are remarkably similar to human fingerprints; even with an electron microscope, it can be quite difficult to distinguish between the two. Did you know? 1Introduction to Basic Ridgeology by David Ashbaugh, May 1999 Image from http://www.cs.usyd.edu.au/~irena/minutia.gif

Three Fundamental Principles of Fingerprinting A fingerprint is an individual characteristic because no two fingers have yet been found to possess identical ridge characteristics (minutiae); A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual’s lifetime; and 3. Fingerprints have general ridge characteristics that permit them to be systematically classified.

Ridge Characteristics Chapter 4 Ridge Characteristics Minutiae—characteristics of ridge patterns Ridge ending Island or short ridge Bridge Eye or enclosure Delta Bifurcation or fork Dot Spur Double bifurcation Trifurcation Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company Kendall/Hunt

Ridge Characteristics Categories of minutiae Ridge ending: a ridge that ends abruptly Bifurcation: a single ridge that divides into two Lake/enclosure: a bifurcation that reunites Short ridge/Island: a ridge that commences, travels a short distance, then ends Dot: a ridge with equal length and width Spur: a bifurcation with a short ridge branching off a longer ridge Crossover/Bridge: a short ridge that runs between two parallel ridges

Ridge Characteristics

Ridge Characteristics

Ridge Characteristics A fingerprint may contain up to 150 individual ridge characteristics Crime scene prints usually have only a small number of ridges that are actually recoverable To make a match an examiner has to determine that two prints have the same ridge characteristics in the same location to one another Around 8-16 points of similarity are needed to determine a match

Chapter 4 Comparison There are no legal requirements in the United States on the number of points required for a match. Generally, criminal courts will accept 8 to 12 points of similarity. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company Kendall/Hunt

Fingerprint Identification Points A single fingerprint may contain as many as 100 or more minutiae that can be used for identification purposes. Debate continues over how many details must be the same to declare two fingerprints a match.

Examples of Ridge Characteristics Crossover Core What’s this? Bifurcation (fork) Ridge ending Scar Island Delta Pore http://cnx.org/content/m12574/latest/properties.jpg

How many ridge characteristics can you identify in this fingerprint? http://www.dkfz.de/tbi/projects/bmcv/images/iu_it246_04s_fingerprint1.jpg Note: Usually fingerprints from a crime scene are partials and only a small # of ridges are actually recovered from the scene. 2 Bifurcation (Fork ) island 1 3 core 4 island Short ridge 5 There are as many as 150 minutiae (ridge characteristics) on the average finger. Bifurcation (Fork ) 6

Do these print match?

Ridge Characteristics When comparing prints, 8 to 16 identical ridge characteristics are usually needed to say that a match has occurred The fingerprint expert uses his judgment to determine whether or not two ridges match. In a judicial proceeding, an expert must demonstrate a point-by-point comparison in order to prove the identity of an individual. No statistical studies have been done to determine how many ridge comparisons are necessary

2nd Principle: A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual’s lifetime Epidermis: outer layer Dermis: inner layer Dermal papillae: layer between epidermis and dermis Responsible for fingerprints (the form + pattern of ridges) Each ridge has pores leading to sweat glands from which perspiration is deposited on the skin Perspiration along with oils is transferred leaving a latent fingerprint Develop in fetus Remain unchanged except to enlarge during growth

2nd Principle: A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual’s lifetime A positive identification of John Dillinger from his fingerprints, even though he had mutilated them Dillinger tried to remove his fingerprints by using a corrosive acid. He had the outer layer of skin (epidermis) removed by acid and had plastic surgery performed on his face to conceal his identity.

Ridge Patterns Three classes Loops 60-65% of all fingerprints Whorls Arches 5% of all fingerprints

3rd Principle:Fingerprints have general ridge patterns that permit them to be systematically classified. All fingerprints are divided into three classes on the basis of their general pattern: loops, arches and whorls (LAW).

Loops One or more ridges enters from one side of the print, re-curves, and exits from the same side Ulnar loop: opens toward the little finger Radial loop: opens toward the thumb Right Hand Ulnar Loop Right Hand Radial Loop

Loops All loops must have ONE delta/triradius surrounded by type lines and a core Core Type lines Delta

Ulnar vs. Radial Loop

Radial Loop (points to thumb side) (assumes right hand) One Delta and One Core

Ulnar Loop (points to little finger) (assumes right hand) One Delta and One Core

Whorls Ridges are generally circular All whorl patterns have type lines and AT LEAST TWO deltas

Whorls 4 distinct groups Plain whorl At least 1 ridge makes a complete circuit Imaginary line between deltas touches spiral ridge Central pocket loop whorl Imaginary line between deltas does not touch spiral ridge Double loop whorl Made of 2 loops combined together Accidental whorl Contains 2 or more patterns or doesn’t fit anywhere else

Whorls (30-35 % of fingerprints) At least Two Deltas and One Core Whorls have at least one ridge that makes (or tends to make) a complete circuit. If a print has more than two deltas, it is most likely an accidental.

Plain Whorl At least Two Deltas and One Core

Central Pocket Loop Whorl At least Two Deltas and One Core

Plain Whorl vs. Central Pocket Loop Whorl Central Pocket Whorl Draw a line between the two deltas in the plain and central pocket whorls. If some of the curved ridges touch the line, it is a plain whorl. If none of the center core touches the line, it is a central pocket loop whorl.

Double Loop Whorl At least Two Deltas and One Core

Accidental Whorl Accidental whorl either contains 2 or more patterns (not including the plain arch) or is a pattern not covered by other categories. An accidental may consist of a combination loop and plain whorl or loop and tented arch. Which is this? loop and tented arch

Arches Ridge enters from one side of the print, rises in the center and exits on the other side DO NOT have Type lines Deltas Cores

Arches 2 Distinct groups Plain arch Ridges rise in the center in a wave-like pattern Tented arch Ridges rise in the center with a sharp spike

Arches (5 % of fingerprints) No Delta An Arch fingerprint has ridges that enter from one side, rise to a slight bump and exit out the opposite side from which they entered.

Plain Arch No Delta

Tented Arch No Delta The tented arch is similar to the plain arch EXCEPT that instead of rising smoothly at the center, there is a sharp spike, or the ridges meet at an angle that is less than 90 degrees.

Primary Classification Chapter 4 Primary Classification The Henry-FBI Classification System Each finger is given a point value. right left Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company Kendall/Hunt

Primary Classification, continued Chapter 4 Primary Classification, continued Assign the number of points for each finger that has a whorl and substitute into the equation: right right left left left index ring thumb middle little + 1 = right right right left left thumb middle little index ring + 1 That number is your primary classification number. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company Kendall/Hunt

FBI System of Classification Modification of the Henry system Pair up fingers R. Index R. Ring L. Thumb L. Middle L. Little R. Thumb R. Middle R. Little L. Index L. Ring Based on presence or absence or whorl pattern 1st pair: 16 points 2nd pair: 8 points 3rd pair: 4 points 4th pair: 2 points 5th pair: 1 point

FBI System of Classification Total the values Add 1 to the numerator and denominator Fraction is what you use to classify the prints Provides examiner with list of candidates in system to look at more closely Can help narrow down suspect list Final identification of an individual is based on comparison of minutia by examiner Only useful when a full set of prints are available

Quick Tips on “LAW” Loops have 1 DELTA Whorls have 2 or more DELTAS Arches have NO DELTAS Loops have 1 DELTA Whorls have 2 or more DELTAS

Automated Fingerprint Identification Systems (AFIS) Prints are scanned and encoded by computers Digitally stores position and orientation of minutia for each print Produces a list of file prints with the closest correlation to a question print for the examiner to compare Still manually search known suspects in each case

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints 3 kinds of crime scene prints Latent Visible Plastic

Latent Prints Each skin ridge contains a single row of pores – openings for ducts of sweat glands Tops of fingerprint ridges get covered with sweat and oil When a finger touches an item, sweat and oil are deposited onto the surface This leaves an impression of the finger’s ridge pattern (fingerprint) Invisible to the eye

Visible and Plastic Prints Visible prints Made by fingers coated in a colored material such s blood, paint, grease, or ink touching a surface Plastic prints Made when a finger leaves an impression in a soft material such as putty, wax, or dust

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints Method used depends on surface type print is located on Hard nonabsorbent surfaces Examples: glass, mirror, tile Powder or Super Glue treatment Soft and porous surfaces Examples: Paper, cardboard, cloth Chemical treatment Iodine Fuming Ninhydrin Physical Developer Super Glue treatment

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints Powders Adheres to perspiration residues and body oil deposits Applied with camel hair or fiberglass brush Select color powder with best contrast Magnetic Sensitive Powders No bristles means less chance of destroying print Useful on leather and rough plastics Fluorescent Powders Fluoresce under UV light Useful on confusing or multi-colored backgrounds

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints Iodine Fuming Solid crystal of iodine is sublimated with heat Sublimation = physical change from the solid directly to the gaseous state Suspect material is placed in an enclosed chamber filled with iodine vapors Iodine vapors react with fatty oils in print to form a brown deposit Not permanent Photograph developed print Fix developed print with 1% starch solution

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints Ninhydrin Ninhydrin powder is mixed with acetone or ethanol to form a spray Reacts with amino acids present in perspiration to form a purple deposit known as Ruhemann’s purple Prints can develop within 1-2 hours but can take up to 10 days Development of prints is sped up if heated Very sensitive Used to get prints off paper as old as 15 years b

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints Physical Developer Silver-nitrate based liquid reagent ONLY method that is useful in developing prints on items that were once wet Reacts with sodium chloride in fingerprint residue to produces a dark grey deposit Destroys proteins so used last after all other chemical tests

Methods of Detecting Fingerprints Super Glue Fuming Heating superglue forms cyanoacrylate ester fumes Suspect material is placed in an enclosed chamber filled with cyanoacrylate fumes Fumes react with fats in fingerprint residue producing a hard, white deposit Developed prints may be dusted with powders

Methods of Detection Review Powders Iodine Ninhydrine Physical Developer Super Glue What Reacts With Perspiration and oil Fats Amino Acids Sodium Chloride Surface Nonporous Porous Porous and Nonporous Notes Not permanent Very sensitive Use Last OR Use if item was wet

Preservation of Developed Prints Prints must be permanently preserved for: future comparison possible use in court as evidence Steps to preservation Photograph prints Small objects: cover with cellophane Large objects: lift prints with tape and secure to cardboard backing