WHORLWHORL

LOOPLOOP

RIDGERIDGE

BIFURCATIO

N

BIFURCATIO

N

ENDING

RIDGEENDING

RIDGE

DOT

DOT DELTADELTA

CORECORE

IDENTIDENT

NON-IDENTNON-IDENT

ARCHARCH

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONFINGERPRINT COMPARISON

Facial Characteristics

Voice Recognition

DNA / Genetic Profile

Osteology (bones)

Odontology (teeth)

Facial Characteristics

Voice Recognition

DNA / Genetic Profile

Osteology (bones)

Odontology (teeth)

FORMS OF IDENTIFICATIONFORMS OF IDENTIFICATION

“Fingerprints”“Fingerprints”

FORMS OF IDENTIFICATIONFORMS OF IDENTIFICATION

WHY FINGERPRINTS?WHY FINGERPRINTS?

Fingerprint evidence is the most positive investigative means for identifying people.

Fingerprint evidence is the most positive investigative means for identifying people.

Fingerprints form on a person before birth and remain unchanged until the body decomposes after death.

Fingerprints form on a person before birth and remain unchanged until the body decomposes after death.

Every fingerprint is unique!Every fingerprint is unique!

WHAT IS A FINGERPRINT?WHAT IS A FINGERPRINT?

A fingerprint is a pattern of friction ridge details, that are comprised of ridges and valleys.

A Ridge – is a high.

A Valley – is a depression or low.

A fingerprint is a pattern of friction ridge details, that are comprised of ridges and valleys.

A Ridge – is a high.

A Valley – is a depression or low.

Friction ridges are also found on our palms, feet and toes.Friction ridges are also found on our palms, feet and toes.

RidgeRidgeValleyValley

THE PATTERNTHE PATTERN

The pattern is the unique characteristics of the ridges and valleys that make up the print. It is defined by the spatial relationship of lines with each other, their beginning and terminating points, and the unique pattern they make. The genes from our parents determine the general characteristics of the patterns.

The pattern is the unique characteristics of the ridges and valleys that make up the print. It is defined by the spatial relationship of lines with each other, their beginning and terminating points, and the unique pattern they make. The genes from our parents determine the general characteristics of the patterns.

1. What are fingerprints?1. What are fingerprints?Recorded impressions of the friction ridges located on the surface of the finger. Recorded impressions of the friction ridges located on the surface of the finger.

2. What is the purpose of fingerprint identification?2. What is the purpose of fingerprint identification?

To establish the identity or non-identity of two sets of fingerprints. To establish the identity or non-identity of two sets of fingerprints.

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATIONFINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATIONFINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

3. What are fingerprint characteristics? 3. What are fingerprint characteristics?

These are also known as ridge detail, points of identification, or identifying characteristics.These are also known as ridge detail, points of identification, or identifying characteristics.

A. Ending RidgesB. BifurcationsC. DotsD. EnclosuresE. Short Ridges

A. Ending RidgesB. BifurcationsC. DotsD. EnclosuresE. Short Ridges

4. How are fingerprints compared?4. How are fingerprints compared?

A. Fingerprints are compared by noting the ridge characteristics on two prints to determine whether or not they match.

B. An identification is established when a number of these characteristics occupy the same relative position on the two prints.

A. Fingerprints are compared by noting the ridge characteristics on two prints to determine whether or not they match.

B. An identification is established when a number of these characteristics occupy the same relative position on the two prints.

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATIONFINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

5. How many points of identification (characteristics) are sufficient to establish an identification?

5. How many points of identification (characteristics) are sufficient to establish an identification?

A. No set standard number required.A. No set standard number required.

B. Left to each individual fingerprint examiner.B. Left to each individual fingerprint examiner.

C. Deciding factors:C. Deciding factors:

1. Clarity of impressions1. Clarity of impressions

2. Uniqueness of formations2. Uniqueness of formations

3. Fingerprint examiners experience and ability3. Fingerprint examiners experience and ability

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATIONFINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

POINTS OF IDENTIFICATION

POINTS OF IDENTIFICATION

• United States No Set Numbe

• England 16

• France 17

• Germany 12

• United States No Set Numbe

• England 16

• France 17

• Germany 12

NOTE: As many as 150 ridge characteristic can be noted in the average fingerprint.

NOTE: As many as 150 ridge characteristic can be noted in the average fingerprint.

6. Be extremely cautious!6. Be extremely cautious!

The integrity of the identification process depends on the fingerprint examiner devoting his or her attention to comparison work at all times.

The integrity of the identification process depends on the fingerprint examiner devoting his or her attention to comparison work at all times.

A. Always be certain that the fingerprints have been printed in the proper finger blocks.

B. Be absolutely certain of your decision

A. Always be certain that the fingerprints have been printed in the proper finger blocks.

B. Be absolutely certain of your decision

FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATIONFINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION

RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS

COMMONCOMMON OCCASIONALOCCASIONAL RARERARE

Ending RidgeEnding Ridge

BifurcationBifurcation

DotDot

EnclosureEnclosure

“T” Junction“T” Junction

Short RidgeShort Ridge

TrifurcationTrifurcation

Ridge CrossingRidge Crossing

Row of DotsRow of Dots

RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS MAGNIFIEDRIDGE CHARACTERISTICS MAGNIFIED

Points 1, 2, 4, 5 are Ending RidgesPoints 1, 2, 4, 5 are Ending Ridges

Points 8, 10, 11 are BifurcationsPoints 8, 10, 11 are Bifurcations

Point 7 Short RidgePoint 7 Short Ridge

Points 3 and 9 are DotsPoints 3 and 9 are Dots

Point 6 is an Enclosure (ISLAND)Point 6 is an Enclosure (ISLAND)

11

22

44

55

88

10101111

99

77

33

66

HOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTSHOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTS

• By noting the ridge characteristics in two fingerprint impressions to determine whether or not they match.

• An identification is established when a number of characteristics occupy the same relative position in the two fingerprint impressions.

• First observation should be the pattern type.A. Loops - 65%B. Whorls - 30%C. Arches – 5%

• By noting the ridge characteristics in two fingerprint impressions to determine whether or not they match.

• An identification is established when a number of characteristics occupy the same relative position in the two fingerprint impressions.

• First observation should be the pattern type.A. Loops - 65%B. Whorls - 30%C. Arches – 5%

• Second observation should be to examine the line of flow.A. Right B. Left

• Third observation should be fingerprint characteristics. Looking for the most obvious point(s) of identification (i.e., what captures your eye first).

• Second observation should be to examine the line of flow.A. Right B. Left

• Third observation should be fingerprint characteristics. Looking for the most obvious point(s) of identification (i.e., what captures your eye first).

HOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTSHOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTS

• Fourth observation is to ensure the characteristics are in the same relative position. A. Count from one characteristic to another.B. Look for characteristics that are alike.

Remember that inking, pressure, occupation, failure to roll fingerprints nail to nail and scars can change the appearance of characteristics.

• Fourth observation is to ensure the characteristics are in the same relative position. A. Count from one characteristic to another.B. Look for characteristics that are alike.

Remember that inking, pressure, occupation, failure to roll fingerprints nail to nail and scars can change the appearance of characteristics.

HOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTSHOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTS

HOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTSHOW TO COMPARE FINGERPRINTS

• Fifth observation is to ensure that the fingerprints are in sequential order by checking the plain impressions with the rolled impressions.

• Never non-ident fingerprints using only one finger. This will help eliminate errors.

• Flat or Plain impressions taken simultaneously give a true or better reading of how the ridges actually appear.

• Fifth observation is to ensure that the fingerprints are in sequential order by checking the plain impressions with the rolled impressions.

• Never non-ident fingerprints using only one finger. This will help eliminate errors.

• Flat or Plain impressions taken simultaneously give a true or better reading of how the ridges actually appear.

Not Fully Inked or RolledNot Fully Inked or Rolled

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONPlain or Flat Impressions

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONPlain or Flat Impressions

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONFINGERPRINT COMPARISON

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONFINGERPRINT COMPARISON

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONFINGERPRINT COMPARISON

FINGERPRINT COMPARISONFINGERPRINT COMPARISON

“THINGS TO REMEMBER”“THINGS TO REMEMBER”

• Look for the obvious characteristics• Utilize the entire fingerprint• Never base your decision on a scar• Never non-ident by one finger only• Ensure sequence is correct• Unable when not 100% positive of decision• Utilize existing enhancement tools• Take sufficient time to process• Avoid distractions & beware of complacency• Maintain good work habits

• Look for the obvious characteristics• Utilize the entire fingerprint• Never base your decision on a scar• Never non-ident by one finger only• Ensure sequence is correct• Unable when not 100% positive of decision• Utilize existing enhancement tools• Take sufficient time to process• Avoid distractions & beware of complacency• Maintain good work habits

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?