History

• The first fingerprints used for markings date back to Babylon between 1792-1750 BC.

• Ancient Chinese documents were sealed with inked fingerprints.

• Earliest western study of fingerprints began in 1684 when Dr.Nehamiah described patterns found on human fingertips.

Fingerprint Formation

• Fingerprints begin to form during the 10th week of pregnancy.

• The print itself is a result of grooves and ridges formed by the production of new skin cells in the basal layer of the skin.

• The prints left behind are the result of oils secreted by the skin to aid gripping objects.

Characteristics

• There are 3 general visual patterns:– Loops– Whorls– Arches

Examination

• Three things the forensic examiner looks for are:– Core: the center of a

loop or whorl.– Delta: The triangular

region located near a loop.

– Minutia: The unique ridge patterns in the fingerprint.

Types of Fingerprints

• Patent: Easily visible on a smooth surface. (Usually when a liquid comes in contact with the hands.)

• Plastic: Indentations left in clay, putty or wax.

• Latent: Hidden prints that can only be seen when involved with a chemical reaction or powder.

Latent Fingerprints

There are 5 main methods for visualizing latent prints:

Carbon Powder: this is the most common method. Known as “dusting for prints,” using a fine carbon powder.

Ninhydrin: Object is dipped into the solution and dries 24hrs for a purple-blue print.

Latent Fingerprints

Cyanoacrylate Vapor: “Super glue” is heated and the vapor attached to the oils from the print creating a white print.

Silver Nitrate: Object is dipped or sprayed with solution creating a black-red print under UV light.

Iodine Fuming: Solid crystals are heated in a tent to reveal a quickly fading brown print.

FAQ’s

Q. Can fingerprints be altered or disguised? A. Yes, but only for a short period of time. (ex.

Pineapple workers and Dillinger.)

FAQ’s

Q. How reliable is fingerprint identification?A. Ideally, it is flawless, however, whenever a

human is involved, some measure of error may be present.

FAQ’s

Q. How are fingerprints analyzed?A. IAFIS, Integrated Automated Fingerprint

Identification System. It contains the fingerprints and criminal histories of 47 million individuals.