1. FINGERPRINT ANALYSIS
T. Trimpe

2. Fingerprint Principles
A fingerprint is an individual characteristic; no two people have been found with the exact same fingerprint pattern.
A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the life of an individual; however, the print itself may change due to permanent scars and skin diseases.
Fingerprints have general characteristic ridge patterns that allow them to be systematically identified

3. A Fingerprint is Unchanged During an Individual’s Lifetime
Fundamental Principles of Fingerprints
A Fingerprint is Unchanged During an Individual’s Lifetime
The pattern of ridges determined by the dermal papillae, the boundary between the first two layers of skin
Pores are present on the top layer releasing sweat and oil – this can be transferred to a surface when touched leaving an invisible impression – latent fingerprints

4. ARCHES, LOOPS, AND WHORLS
Fingerprint Classes
There are 3 specific classes for all fingerprints based upon their visual pattern:
ARCHES, LOOPS, AND WHORLS
Arch
Plain arch
Tented arch
Loop
Radial Loop
Ulnar loop
Whorl
Plain whorl
Central pocket whorl
Double loop whorl
Accidentical

5. Focal points Core: the center of the loop.
Each of the three pattern types have focal points which are used for classification:
Core: the center of the loop.
Delta: triangulation or a dividing of the ridges.
**The area between the delta and the core
must be completely recorded.

6. 5% HAVE ARCHES
35% HAVE WHORLS
60% HAVE LOOPS

7. Arches
-simplest type of fingerprints; formed by ridges that enter on one side of the print and exit on the other.
- No deltas are present.
Tented Arches
Similar to the plain arch,
but has a spike in the center.
Spike or “tent”
Plain Arch
Ridges enter on one side &
exit on the other side.

8. Loops
-have 1 delta and 1 or more ridges that enter and leave on the same side. These patterns are named for their positions related to the radius and ulna bones.
Radial Loop (Right Thumb)
Loop opens toward the left or the radial bone.
Ulnar Loop (Right Thumb)
Loop opens toward right or the ulna bone.
Delta
NOTE: On the left hand, a loop that opens to the left would be an ulnar loop, while one that opens to the right would be a radial loop.

9. Whorls
-have at least 1 ridge that makes/tends to make) a complete circuit. They also have at least 2 deltas.
- If a print has more than two deltas, it is most likely an accidental.
Central Pocket Whorl
Plain 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 whorl.

10. Whorls – Part 2 Double Loop Whorl
Double loop whorls are made up of any two loops combined into one print.
Delta
Accidental Whorl
Accidental whorls contain two or more patterns (not including the plain arch), or does not clearly fall under any of the other categories.

11. Identify each fingerprint pattern.? A B
Right Hand
Left Hand C
Right Hand E D
Right Hand
Left Hand

12. Ridge Characteristics
The individuality of a fingerprint is not determined by its general shape but by careful study of its ridge characteristics or its minutiae
No two fingers have yet been found to possess identical ridge characteristics

13. Fingerprint Identification
Points of similarity or points of identification-
when minutiae on two different prints match
No international standard for the number of points of identification required for a match
U.K.equires a minimum 16 points
Australia requires 12
Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

14. Ridge Characteristics
Crossover
Core
Bifurcation (fork)
Ridge ending
Island
Delta
Pore
Scar
EXAMPLE

15. Basic & composite ridge characteristics (minutiae)
Example
ridge ending
         
bridge
bifurcation
double bifurcation
dot
trifurcation
island (short ridge)
opposed bifurcations
lake (enclosure)
ridge crossing
hook (spur)
opposed bifurcation/ridge ending

16. Ridge Dots
An isolated ridge unit whose length approximates its width in size             
                

17. Double Bifurcation Opposed Bifurcation
Bifurcations
The point at which one friction ridge divides into two friction ridges
           
Double Bifurcation     Opposed Bifurcation

18. Trifurcations
The point at which one friction ridge divides into three friction ridges 

19. Ending Ridge
A single friction ridge that terminates within the friction ridge structure
         

20. Ridge Crossing
   A point where two ridge units intersect       

21. Enclosures (Lakes)
A single friction ridge that bifurcates and rejoins after a short course and continues as a single friction ridge

22. Short Ridges (Islands)
Friction ridges of varying lengths
         

23. Spurs (Hooks)
A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge

24. Bridges A connecting friction ridge
between parallel running ridges, generally right angles

25. Classification of Fingerprints
System used by FBI converts ridge patterns on all 10 fingers into numbers in the form of a fraction
Fingerprint cards can be classified into 1024 groups
The presence or absence of a whorl pattern is the basis for the determination of the primary classification

26. Classification R. Index R. Ring L. Thumb L. Middle L. Little
Fingers are paired in the following sequence:
R. Index R. Ring L. Thumb L. Middle L. Little
R. Thumb R. Middle R. Little L. Index L. Ring
If a whorl pattern is found on any finger in the first pair, it is assigned a value of 16; on the second pair, a value of 8; on the third pair, a value of 4; on the fourth pair, a value of 2; and on the fifth pair, a value of 1. Any finger have an arch or loop is assigned a value of 0.
Add all the values for the 10 fingers and then add 1 to both the numerator and denominator.
The fraction obtained is the classification.
For example: =

27. It’s time to make some prints!
GOOD PRINT Get as much of the top part of your finger as possible!
Avoid Partial Prints

28. Directions
1st – Roll the “pad” portion of your thumb over the ink pad from the left side of your thumb to the right. You do not have to push down really hard!
2nd – Roll the “pad” portion of your thumb from the left side of your thumb to the right in the correct box on your paper to make a thumbprint.
3rd – Continue this process to make a fingerprint of all ten fingers on the “My Prints” worksheet.
4th –Use your notes and a magnifying lens to help you figure out what type of pattern is found in each of your fingerprints. Label each one with the pattern’s name.

29. Toe Print
Students create their own "ink" by rubbing pencils on an index card and then pressing it to their toes. They use a piece of clear tape to lift the print and tape it to the correct spot on the worksheet.

30. Types of Prints Visible Prints
fingers touch a surface after the ridges have been in contact with a colored material such as blood, paint, grease or ink.
Plastic prints
ridge impressions left on a soft material such as putty, wax, soap or dust.
Latent Prints
impressions caused by the transfer of body perspiration or oils present on finger ridges to the surface of an object.

31. Latent Prints Latent prints need to be made visible
Latent prints on hard & nonabsorbent surfaces (glass, mirror, tile and painted surfaces require the use of powders and/or Super Glue
Prints on soft or porous material (paper, cardboard, cloth) require treatment with 1or more chemicals

32. HW: Methods of Detecting Fingerprints
Read pages in the text and prepare 4-5 slides, including information such as:
What type of print does it detect?
On which type of surface does it work best?
What are the processes used to visualize the prints and retrieve them?

33. Latent Prints
collected by revealing them with a dusting of black powder and then lifted with a piece of clear tape .
Did you know? Camel hair is the most common animal hair used to make fingerprint brushes. Now many brushes (like the one above) are made out of fiberglass.

34. Click the icon to view the Crime 360 Super Glue Video
Some investigators use fluorescent powder and UV lights to help them find latent prints on multi-colored or dark surfaces.
Magnetic powder can also be used to reveal latent prints. This type of powder works better on shiny surfaces or plastic baggies or containers.
The cyanoacrylate fuming method a.k.a. super glue method is is used to develop latent fingerprints
Ninhydrin bonds with the amino acids in fingerprints and will produce a blue or purple color. It is used to lift prints from surfaces such as paper and cardboard.
Click the icon to view the Crime 360 Super Glue Video
Top Left:
Bottom Left:
Bottom Right:

36. Directions:
1 - Cover your table with white butcher paper or newspaper. You must dust everything on the paper!
2 - Get a lifting kit from your teacher that contains black powder, brushes, and clear tape.
3 - Press the pad of your right thumb on a CD or glass slide to make a print. Place on the paper covering your table.
4 – Dip a brush lightly into the container of black powder and then tap off the extra on the lid. You only need a very small amount of powder to dust the print.
5 – Hold the brush over the print and rotate it between your thumb and fingers. Use the brush to remove any extra powder.
6 - Use a small piece of clear tape to lift the print and place it in the box on your worksheet.
CAUTION: The black powder will be messy and isn’t easy to clean up. Don’t dust anything without permission!

37. Clean Up
1 – Clean off the CDs or glass slides and put them back in the kit with the brushes and tape.
2 – Have someone help you fold the paper in half and tap it to return the extra black powder to the container.
3 – Put the black powder in the box and have it checked in by your teacher.
4 – Get a towel and “dry” wash the table – especially the edges that weren’t covered with paper.
5 – Get a wet towel to wash off the table and then wipe it with some dry towels. Keep cleaning until all the black powder is off the table!

38. RUVIS
Sometimes the most difficult aspect of fingerprint examination can be the location of the print.
Recent advances in fingerprint technology have led to the development of an ultraviolet image converter for the purpose of detecting latent prints.
This device, called the Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System (RUVIS), can locate prints on most nonabsorbent surfaces without the aid of chemical or powder treatments.
RUVIS detects the print in its natural state by aiming UV light at the surface suspected of containing prints. When the UV light strikes the fingerprint, the light is reflected back to the to the viewer, differentiating the print from its background surface.
The transmitted UV light is then converted into visible light by an image intensifier. Once located in this manner, the crime-scene investigator can develop the print in the most appropriate manner.

39. Other techniques for detecting prints
Iodine Fuming is a technique for visualizing latent fingerprints by exposing them to iodine vapors.
Sublimation is a physical change from the solid directly to the gas state.
Ninhydrin is a chemical reagent used to develop latent fingerprints on porous material by reacting with amino acids in perspiration.

40. Other techniques for detecting prints
Physical developer: a silver-based reagent formulated to develop latent fingerprints on porous surfaces.
Super Glue Fuming: A technique used for visualizing latent fingerprints on non-porous surfaces by exposing them to cyanoacrylate vapors; named for the commercial product “Super Glue”.