International School of Asia and the Pacific 1

Subject: Dactyloscopy

REVIEW NOTES ON
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION (DACTYLOSCOPY) 2. China – It was a common practice for the Chinese
to use ink fingerprints on official documents,
DEFINITION OF TERMS: land scales, contracts, loans and
acknowledgements of debt. Finger seals for
1. Fingerprint – An impression of the friction ridges of sealing documents to prove its authenticity. Early
all or any part of the finger. A friction ridge is a in the 12th century, in the novel, “The Story of the
raised portion of the epidermis on the palmar (palm River Bank,” fingerprint found itself already in the
and fingers) or plantar (sole and toes) skin, criminal procedure of China; and in the 16th
consisting of one or more connected ridge units of century, a custom prevailed in connection with the
friction ridge skin. These ridges are sometimes sale of children. Palm and sole impressions were
known as "dermal ridges" or "dermal papillae". stamped of sale to prevent impersonation.
2. Dactyloscopy – is the practical application of
fingerprints or the process of identification by 3. Japan – A Japanese Historian, Kamagusu Minakata
fingerprint comparison and the classification of furthere commented about blood stamping.
fingerprints. Apparently, contracts were accompanied by a
3. Dactylography – is the scientific study of written oath confirmed with a blood stamp. The
fingerprints as a means of identification. blood stamp was a print of the ring finger in blood
4. Poroscopy – the scientific study of pores or science drawn from that digit.
of identification by means of the pores.
5. Podoscopy - the science of identification through 4. France – The most famous ancient stone carvings
friction ridge characteristics existing on the sole of is found in the L’lle de Gavrinis of the coast of
the human foot. France. Here a burial chamber, or dolman, was
6. Chiroscopy – the science of identification through discovered dating back to Neolithis times. Its inner
friction ridge characteristics existing on palms. walls are covered with incised designs- systems of
7. Ridgeology –the study of poroscopy, edgeoscopy, horse-shoe form, more or less circular
and ridge characteristics for the purpose of the concentric figures, spiral, arching lines sinuous
positive identification of fingerprints. and straight lines and other markings occurring
8. Edgeoscopy – the study of the characteristics in various combinations. Many anthropologists
formed by the sides or edges of papillary ridges as a interpret these lines as representing finger or
means of identification. palm print patterns.

Dogmatic Principle of Fingerprint 5. Nova Scotia – An outline of a hand was scratched

into slate rock beside Kejiomkujil Lake by an
1. Principle of Individuality – no two fingerprints are aboriginal Indian. The carving is an outline of a hand
exactly alike and fingers. Within the outline the flexion creases of
2. Principle of Permanency – configuration and the palm and fingers are depicted. This carving
details of individual ridges remain constant and has considerable historical significance. Although it
unchanging. does not demonstrate knowledge of the individuality
3. Principle of Infallibility – fingerprint is the most of friction ridges or palmar flexion creases, it
reliable means of identification. clearly illustrates an early awareness of the
presence of those formations.
Fingerprints in other species 6. Babylonia - References by ancient historians have
been found describing how finger seals were used
The Koala is one of the few mammals (other on legal contracts from 1855-1913 B.C. This
than primates) that have fingerprints. In fact, koala practice identified the author and protected
fingerprints are remarkably similar to human fingerprints; against forgery.
even with an electron microscope, it can be quite difficult
to distinguish between the two. 7. Palestine – William Frederick Bade, Director of the
Palestine Institute of Archeology, conducted
excavations at various sites in Palestine and at one
place found finger imprints on many pieces of
History and Development broken pottery. These “identifications” permitted
the confuse debris to dated accurately to the fourth
A. Primitive Knowledge century A.D. Commenting on his case, Fingerprint
magazine (1973) stated that “these impression were
1. Egypt – The earliest evidence of ridge detail on the obviously intentional and no doubt, represented the
hands and feet of humans was seen in the 4,000 workman’s individual trade mark.”
year old mummies of ancient Egypt. The hands and
feet of mummies have been examined on numerous 8. Holland and Ancient China – Identification of
occasions and they confirmed the presence of individuals was by means of branding, tattooing,
ridge detail on the mummies’ digits. mutilation and also manifested by wearing of
cloths of different designs.
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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 2
Subject: Dactyloscopy

8. Dr. Henry P. De Forrest - He utilized the first

B. PERSONALITIES official municipal use of fingerprints for non-
criminal registration on December 19, 1902 in the
1. Constantinople - In treaty ratification, the Municipal Civil Service Commission in the City of
sultan soaked hi hand in a sheep’s blood and New York. He required civil service applicants to be
impressed in on the document as his seal. fingerprinted to prevent them from having better
qualified persons take test for them and put the
2. Thomas Bewick (1753-1828) – A British author, system into practice.
naturalist and engraver became England’s finest
engraver who made fingerprint stamps. He made 9. Capt. James I. Parke – He advocated the first
wooden engravings of fingerprints and published state and penal use of fingerprint which was
their images in his books where he used an officially adopted in Sing-sing prison on June 5,
engraving of his fingerprints as a signature. The 1903 and later at Auburn, Napanoch and Clinton
engravings demonstrate familiarity with the Penitentiaries.
construction of skin ridge. In two of the books he
added “Thomas Bewick, his mark” under the 10. Sgt. Kenneth Perrier – An Englishman and first
impressions. fingerprint instructor at the St. Luis Police
Department, Missouri. He was one of the pupils of
3. Sir William J. Herschel – Credited as being the Sir. Edward Richard Henry and through personal
first European to recognize the value of friction contact during the Worlds Fair Exposition held in St.
ridge points and to actually use them for Luis, a fingerprint bureau was established on
identification purposes. April 12, 1904.

4. Dr. J.C.A. Mayer (1788) of Germany – He 11. Mary K. Holland – She was the first American
published the following statements in his anatomical Instructor in Dactyloscopy.
atlas; although the arrangement of skin ridges is
never duplicated in two persons, nevertheless 12. Harry Mayers II – In 1925, he installed the first
the similarities are closer among some official foot and fingerprint system for infants at
individuals. In others the differences are marked, the Jewish Maternity Hospital, Philadelphia,
yet in spite of their peculiarities of arrangement all Pennsylvania, USA, and the first system in the
have a certain likeness.” This deduction was state.
published 100 years before the Konai contract.
5. Dr. Henry Faulds (1843-1930) – In 1875 Faulds 13. Juan (Ivan) Vucetich (1855-1925) – The fast face
had opened a missionary hospital and a year later of the advancement of fingerprinting in England was
started a medical school in Japan where he may due to the ingenuity of Juan Vucetich, who was
have been exposed to fingerprints. He wrote a letter employed as a statistician with the Central Police
to Charles Darwin telling him of his studies and Department at La Planta, Argentina. In July 1891,
requesting assistance. He mentioned that the Chief of Police assigned Vucetich to set up a
fingerprints can be classified easily and that bureau of Anthropometric Identification.
ridge detail is unique. He pointed out the value
of fingerprints of being in “medico legal 14. Sir Edward Henry (1850-1931) – At the same time
studies” and commented that photographs of that Vucetich was experimenting with fingerprinting
people change over the years but rugae (friction in Argentina, another classification system was
ridges) never change. being developed in India. This system was called
“The Henry Classification System.”
6. Thomas Taylor (1877) - A microscopist of the
Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC who
also suggested that fingerprints could be used FINGERPRINTING IN NORTH AMERICA (1877-1900)
to solve crime.
15. Isaiah West Taber (1880) – In 1880, a
7. Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914) – He devised the photographer in San Francisco who suggested that
first truly scientific method of criminal identification fingerprinting be adopted for the registration of
in Paris France called anthropometry or Chinese immigrant laborers.
Bertillonage. He conceived the idea of using
anatomical measurements to distinguish one 16. Gilbert Thompson (1882) – He used his thumbprint
criminal from another. He decided to use various to ensure that the amounts were not changed or
body measurements such as head length, head altered on payroll cheques. When issuing a payroll
breadth, length of left middle finger, length of the left cheque, he would put an inked thumbprint over the
cubit (forearm)/ length of left foot, body height, face amount. This is to prevent fraudulent cheque
breadth, face height and other descriptions including alterations.
features such as scars and hair and eye color to
distinguish criminals. 17. Mark Twain (1894) – An America author and
lecture, Twain enhanced the position of fingerprints
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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 3
Subject: Dactyloscopy

when he included their use in the plot of a novel the “Father of Poroscopy.” He originated the
entitled Pudd’n Head Wilson. In the novel, a bloody terms “loops and spirals.”
fingerprint is found in the murder weapon and
Pudd’n Head, the defense attorney, has the 22. JCA Mayer (1788) – A German doctor and
whole town fingerprinted. He lectured the court anatomist whose paper on fingerprint clearly
and jury on the basics of fingerprinting, how addressed the individuality of the friction ridges.
fingerprints are immutable, and that two
fingerprints will never be found to be the same. 23. Johannes (Jean) Evangelista Purkinje (1787-
He also commented on how identical twins can 1869) – A professor at the University of Breslau,
be indistinguishable in appearance, at times Germany, published a thesis that contained his
even by their parents, but their fingerprints will studies on the eye, fingerprints and other skin
always be different. features entitled, “Commentatio de Examine
Fingerprinting in Canada (1904-1920) Phisiologico Organi Visus et Systematis.” He
classified nine principal configuration groups of
18. Edward Foster (1863-1956) – Foster, Canadian fingerprints and assigned each a name he was
constable of the Dominion Police attended the known as the “Father of Dactyloscopy.”
world’s Fair to guard a display of gold. He attended
Ferrier’s presentation at the convention and 24. Arthur Kollman (1883) – The first researcher to
intrigued by the possibilities that fingerprinting had address the formation of friction ridges in embryos
to offer, he felt that a bureau would be effective than and the topographical physical stressors that may
an anthropometry bureau. He also felt that a have been part of their growth. He identified the
national organization in Canada, similar to the presence and locations of the valor pads of the
International Association of Chief’s of Police, would human hand and foot.
encourage cooperation among Canadian police
departments and be an ideal body to promote a 25. H. Klaatsch (1888) – From Germany who examined
national interest in fingerprinting. the walking pads and eminences of several
pentadactylous of five fingered mammals. He
Scientific Researchers was credited being the first researcher to examine
the walking surface of other mammals. He also
19. Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) – Grew, English referred to the arrangement of the fundamental
botanist, physician and micropist. In 1684 he limits of the friction ridges as the reason why all
published a paper in the philosophical transactions ridge formation are different.
of the Royal Society of London describing his
observations of the “Innumerable little ridges of 26. David Hepburn (1895) – He is connected with the
equal big ness on the ends of the first joints of University of Edinburgh, Scotland, published a
the fingers.” He described sweat pores, paper on the similarity in appearance of the
epidermal ridges, and their various eminences or walking surfaces of primates
arrangements. Included in his paper was a drawing entitled, “The Papilliary Ridges on the Hands and
of the configurations of the hand displaying the ridge feet of monkeys and men.” He was the first to
flow on the fingers and palms. recognized that ridges assist gripping by
creating friction and that they had a function
20. Govard Bidloo (1685) – Bidloo, anatomist in other increasing tactile stimulus.
Amsterdam, Holland, published a book on human
anatomy illustrating friction ridges and pore Historical Background – Philippine Setting
structure on the underside of the fingers. His
comments were morphological in nature and he did 27. Mr. Jones was the first to teach fingerprints in the
not refer to or mentioned the individuality of friction Philippine Constabulary sometime in the year 1900.
ridges. The Bureau of Prisons in the year 1918, records
show that the fingerprints already existed in the
21. Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694) – A professor in “carpetas”
1685 at the University of Bologna, Italy, published
the results of his examination of the friction skin 28. L. Asa N. Darby, under his management during the
with the newly invented microscope. He has re-occupation of the Philippines by the American
been credited with being the first to use a Forces, a modern and complete Fingerprint File has
microscope in medical studies. His paper dealt been establishment in the Philippine
mainly with the function, form, and structure of Commonwealth.
the friction skin as a tactile organ, and its use in 29. Mr. Genoroso Reyes was the first Filipino
the enhancement of traction for walking and Fingerprint Technician employed by the Philippine
grasping. Constabulary.

He was known as the ‘Grandfather of 30. Capt. Thomas Dugan of New York City Police
Dactyloscopy” according to Dr. Edmond Locard, Department and Mr. Flaviano G. Guerrero of the

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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 4
Subject: Dactyloscopy

Federal Bureau of Investigation, Washington, gave court stated that a photograph of the fingerprints
the first examinations for fingerprint in 1937. noted on the door should be sufficient along with the
identification of the fingerprints by an expert to show
Plaridel Educational Institution (PEI), now the these of the defendant. The court referred to the
Philippine College of Criminology (PCCr), Manila previous decided case of States v. Conners.
is the first governmental recognized school to teach
the science of fingerprints and other police 5. Commonwealth v. Albright, [101 Pa. Sup. C.L.317
sciences. (1931)] - a fingerprint expert testified that the
fingerprint on a piece of glass, established to be
C. Legality of Fingerprints from a pane in a door that had been broken to effect
entrance to the house was the same as the
1. People vs. Jennings [252 III. 534, 96 NE 1077 impression of the defendant’s left index finger and
(1911)] pass upon the admissibility of he explained in detail the points of identity which led
fingerprint evidence. Fingerprint evidence was him to that judgment. In the Albright case, the court
admitted as a means of identification. It was also stated, “it is well settled that the papillary lines and
held that persons experienced in the matter of marks on the fingers of every man, woman and child
fingerprint identification may give their opinions as posses an individual character different from those
to whether the fingerprints found at the scene of the of any other person and that the chances that the
crime correspond with those of the accused. The fingerprints of two different persons may be
court’s conclusion were based on a comparison of identified are infinitesimally remote.
the photographs of such prints with the impressions
made by the accused, there being no questions as 6. People v. Corral [224 cal. 2d 300 (1964)] - it is
to the accuracy or authenticity of the photographs. It completely settled law that fingerprints are the
was stated that the weight to be given to the strongest evidence of the identity of a person”. This
testimony of experts in the fingerprint identification Doctrine was reasserted in another California case,
as a question for the jury. People v. Riser [47 cal. 2d. 566 (1956)] in which the
court stated, “fingerprint evidence is the strongest
2. New Jersey State vs. Cerciello, in which evidence of identity and is ordinarily sufficient alone
fingerprint evidence was permitted to be to identify the defendant”.
introduced. The defendant argued that it was an
error to allow the testimony by experts explaining 7. Schmerber v California [Schmerber v.
the comparison of fingerprints obtained from the California,384 us,757,767(1966)] - The introduction
defendant voluntarily with those fingerprints found into evidence of fingerprint impressions taken
upon a hatchet near the body of the deceased when without consent of the defendant was not an
the body was discovered. The New Jersey Court of infringement of the constitutional privileged against
Errors and Appeals held, “in principle, its admission self incrimination. The high court held that it is
as legal evidence is based upon the theory that the constitutional to obtain real or physical evidence
evolution in practical affairs of fife, whereby the even if the suspect is compelled to give blood in a
progressive and scientific tenderness of the age are hospital environment, submit to fingerprinting,
manifested in every other department of human photographing or measurement, write or speak for
endeavor, cannot be ignored in legal procedure. identification, appears in court, stand or walk,
But, that the law it its effort to enforce justice by assume a stance or make a particular gesture, put
demonstrating a fact in issue, will allow evidence of on cloth that fits him, or exhibit his body as evidence
those scientific processes which are the work of when it is material. The Schmerber case points out
educated and skillful men in their various the fact that the privilege against self-incrimination is
departments, and apply them to the demonstrations related primarily to “TESTIMONIAL COMPULSION”.
of fact, leaving the weight and effect to be given to
the effort and its results entirely to the consideration In the Philippines:
of the jury”.
8. In the BILANGAWA v. AMADOR case, (Court of
3. In the case of State Vs. Conners [87 N.T.L. 419, 94 Appeals No.37320-b) a fingerprint expert and
Atl.812 (1915)] it was held competent to show by a constabulary sergeant testified and successfully
photograph the fingerprints upon the balcony post of defended fingerprint evidence based on eight
a house entered, without producing that post in identical ridge points.
court, and to show by expert testimony that the
fingerprints found on the post were similar to the 9. People of the Philippines vs. Medina, 59, Phil.
fingerprints of the defendant. 330 of December 23, 1933 were the first conviction
based on fingerprint and led to the judicial decision
4. Lamble vs. State [Lamble v. State, 96 N.T.L. 231; in the Philippine jurisprudence.
114 ATL. (N.J) 346 (1921)] which involved the
discovery of fingerprints on the door of an Types of Ridge Formation
automobile, the court was of the opinion that it was
not necessary to produce the door as evidence. The
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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 5
Subject: Dactyloscopy

1. Recurving ridge – Is the ridge that curves back in 18. Creases- Are thin, usually straight narrow white
the direction in which it started. It looks like a hair lines running transversely or formed side to side,
pin. across the print, causing the puckering of the ridges.
2. Converging Ridges – Two or more lines forming 19. Staple- Single recurving ridge at the center of the
an angle, a ridge whose closed end is angular and pattern area.
serves as a point of convergent. 20. Spike- An ending ridge at the center of a pattern
3. Diverging ridges – Two ridges running side by side which forms the upthrust.
and suddenly separating, one ridge going one way 21. Enclosure – a bifurcation which does not remain
and the other ridge in another way. open but which the legs of the bifurcation, after
4. Bifurcating ridge – A single ridge which splits into running along side by side for a short distance,
two forming a “Y” shape, formation or structure. It is come together again to form a single ridge once
more.
Ridge Characteristics

1. Island, Eyelet, lake or Eye – It is a single ridge

which bifurcates where the bifurcating ridges
converge at a certain point to form again into a
single ridge.
2. Dot or Series of dots – They are fragmentary
ridges formed like a dot or dots. Focal Points of Fingerprint Pattern
3. Short or Series of Short Ridges – They are
fragmentary ridges formed by short or series of 1. Core – Is a point on a ridge formation usually
short ridges. located at the center or heart of a pattern.
4. Ridge-ending – It is a termination or ending of ridge 2. Delta or Triradial Point – Is a point on the first
or ridges. ridge formation directly at or in front or near the
5. Fragmentary Ridges – They consist of center of the divergence of the type lines. It may be:
disconnected sequences of short ridges embodied a) a bifurcation b) an abrupt ending ridge c) a dot
intensely. These ridges are considered in the d) a short ridge e) a meeting of two ridges f) a
classification of fingerprints if they appear as dark point on the first recurving ridge located nearest
and as thick as the surrounded ridges within the to the center and in front of the divergence of
pattern area. the type lines.
6. Ridge Hook – It is a ridge that divides to form two
ridges which are shorter in length than the main Type Lines and Pattern Area
ridge.  Type lines - basic boundaries of most
7. Ridge Bridge – This is a connecting ridge between fingerprints formed by ridges which run parallel,
two ridges. starting from the lower corner of the pattern and
8. Incipient or Nascent Ridge – This is a kind of flowing inward and upward the edge of the
ridge which is madly formed, thin, short or broken pattern area, where they diverge or separate,
which appear or appears in the depressions then surround or tend to surround the pattern
between two well formed ridges. area.
9. Sufficient recurve – The space between shoulders  Pattern area- The part of the fingerprint which
of a loop, free of any appendage, and abutting at lies within the area surrounded by the type
right angle. lines.
10. Appendage- a short ridge at the top or summit of a
recurve usually at right angle. Rules in Core Location
11. Envelop – Is a single recurving ridge enclosing one 1. The core is placed upon or within the sufficient
or more rods or bars. recurving ridge.
12. Rod or bar – Is a single ending ridge at the center 2. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains
of a recurving ridge of a loop pattern. uneven number of rods rising as high as the
13. Uptrust – Is an ending ridge of any length rising at shoulders, the core is placed upon the end of
a sufficient degree from a horizontal place. the center rod whether it touches the looping
14. Dissociated ridges – Are unusual ridge structures ridge or not.
having no well defined patterns; the ridges are 3. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains
extremely short, appear like a series of “patches” no ending ridge or rod rising as high as the
caused by a disturbance of developmental process shoulders of the loop, the core is placed on the
at early fetal life of the individual. shoulder of the farther from the delta.
15. Shoulder of a loop- It is that point at which the 4. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains
recurving ridge definitely turns or curve. an even number of rods rising as high as the
16. Shoulder of a loop- It is that point at which the shoulders, the core is placed upon the end of
recurving ridge definitely turns or curve. the farther one of the two center rods being
17. Puckering- As growth ceases at several ends, the treated as though they were connected by a
ends curls slightly. recurving ridge. The shoulders of a loop are the

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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 6
Subject: Dactyloscopy

points at which the recurving ridge definitely - It must have a core

turns inward or curves. - It must have a delta
- An imaginary line must pass between the
Rules in Delta Location core and the delta.
1. The delta may not be located at a bifurcation - It must have a ridge count of a minimum
which does not open towards the core. of at least one (1) across a looping ridge.
2. When there is a choice between a bifurcation
and another type of delta equally close to the 2. ARCHES – The ridges go from one side of the
point of divergence, the bifurcation is selected. pattern to another, never turning back to make
3. When there is a series of bifurcations opening a loop. (Solis, p 59)
towards the point of divergence of the type a. Plain Arch - A pattern in which the ridges
lines, the bifurcation nearest to the core is enter on one side of the pattern, then flow
chosen as the delta. or tend to flow towards the other side, with
4. The delta may not be located in the middle of a rise or wave in the center, with no
the ridge running between the type lines toward angular ridge formation and no upthrust.
the core but at the nearer end only. The delta (Tubid)
depends entirely on the point of origin of the b. Tented Arch - A pattern similar to a loop,
ridge. but lacking at least one of the essential
5. If the ridge enters the pattern area from a point elements of a loop. This is a type of
below the divergence of the type lines, the delta fingerprint pattern where majority of the
must be located at the end nearer to the core. ridges form an arch and one or more of the
ridges at the center form a tent in outline,
What are ridge tracing, ridge counting and ridge giving an angle of 90 degrees or less; or
count? one with un upward thrust having an angle
 Ridge Tracing is the process of tracing the of 45 degrees or more; or a pattern similar
ridge that originates from the left delta toward to a loop, but lacking at least one of the
the right delta to see where it flows in relation to essential elements of a loop. (Tubid)
the right delta.
 Ridge Counting is the process of counting the 3. WHORLS – Patterns with two deltas and
ridges that touch or cross an imaginary line patterns too irregular in form to classify:
drawn between the core and delta of a loop.
 Ridge Count is the number of ridges a. Plain whorl (simple whorls Solis, p59),
intervening between the delta and the core. defined: It is a fingerprint pattern which there
are two (2) deltas and in which at least one (1)
Standard Fingerprint Patterns ridge makes a turn through one complete
1. Loops (60 % in appearance) circuit, an imaginary line drawn between the
- ulnar two (2) deltas must touch or cross at least one
- radial (1) of the circuiting whorl ridges within the
pattern area.
2. Arches (5 % in appearance) b. Central Pocket Loop Whorl, defined – It is a
- Tented fingerprint pattern which for the most part of a
- plain loop, but which has a small whorl inside the
3. Whorl (35 % in appearance) loop ridges, sometimes called a composite
- Plain whorl pattern, which means that is made up of two (2)
- Central pocket loop whorl pattern in one, a whorl inside a loop .
- Double loop whorl c. Double Loop Whorl, defined – A Double loop
- Accidental whorl whorl is a pattern consisting of two (2) separate
and distinct loop formations. One of the loops
1. LOOPS - A type of fingerprint pattern in which surrounds or overlaps the other, also called
one or more of the ridges enters on either side COMPOSITE PATTERN, like the central pocket
of the impression, recurve, touch or pass an loop whorl. It arises from the fact that these
imaginary line drawn from the delta to the core, patterns are a composite or combination of two
and terminate or tend to terminate on or toward (2) patterns in one, with two cores and two
the same side of the impression from which deltas.
such ridge or ridges entered. d. Accidental Whorl, defined – It is a pattern that
a. Ulnar Loop - Loops which flow in the is a combination of two or more different types
direction of the ulna bone or towards the of patterns except in the PLAIN ARCH. It can
little finger. be a combination of a loop and a whorl, a loop
b. Radial Loop – loops which flow or recurve or a central pocket loop whorl, or any
towards the radial side or thumb. combination of two or more different loops and
whorl type pattern. Like the central pocket loop
ESSENTIALS OF A LOOP whorl and the double loop whorl, some

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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 7
Subject: Dactyloscopy

authorities or authors call accidental whorl How to Get Fingerprint Impressions on Dead
COMPOSITE. Bodies?
1. In cases of fresh dead bodies, the fingers are
Kinds of Impressions unclenched and each one is inked individually
1. Real Impressions – Impression of the finger bulbs with the aid of a small rubber roller. The paper
with the use of printing ink on the surface of the where the print will be impressed will be placed
paper. Other coloring materials may be used but in a spoon-shaped piece of wood and slowly and
they are less visible and indelible evenly rolled over the pattern.
2. If the fist is too tightly clenched, a small
a. Plain method – The bulbs of the last incision may be made at the base of the fingers.
phalanges of the fingers and thumbs are The contraction may also be overcome by
pressed on the surface of the paper after dipping the hands in hot water.
pressing them on an ink pad or ink plate with 3. If the so-called washerwoman’s skin is not
printing ink. too marked on the fingerprints of dead
b. Rolled Method – The bulbs of the thumb and bodies recovered shortly from bodies of
other fingers are rolled on the surface of the water (floaters), the fingers may be dried off
paper after being rolled in an ink pad or ink with towel and glycerin is injected with a syringe
plate with the printing ink. under the skin of the finger tips in order to
smoothen the surface. The fingerprints are then
2. Chance impression – Refers to fingerprints which taken like that of a fresh dead body.
are imprinted or impressed by mere chance or 4. If the “floater” has been in a body of water
without any intention to produce it. for longer time and the friction ridges have
disappeared, the skin of the fingertips is cut
a. Visible/Patent prints – impression made by away. This area of skin from each finger is
chance and is visible without previous placed in a small labeled test tubes containing
treatment. Impression made by the fingers formaldehyde solution. If the papillary ridges
smeared with some colored substance, like are still preserved on the outer surface, the
black ink, vegetable juice, may be visible person taking the prints places a portion of the
immediately after impression. skin on his right index finger protected by a
b. Semi-visible/plastic/molded prints – rubber glove and then takes the print after inking
impressions made by chance by pressing the the finger tip. The same procedure as described
finger tips on melted paraffin, putty, resin, may be applied to putrefied or burned bodies
cellophane, plastic tape, butter, soap, etc. according to circumstances.
These prints need not a development, although
photography is more applicable.
c. Invisible/Latent prints – prints which are not
visible after impression but made visible by the Fingerprint Classification
addition of some substances.
 Classification - is the method of obtaining a
Latent prints – Any chance or accidental impression left formula for a set of fingerprints whereby it may be
by friction ridge skin on a surface, regardless of whether located in the filling cabinet.
it is visible or invisible at the time of deposition.  Classification Formula - is the numerical
description for a set of classified fingerprints which
is composed of figure and letters written above the
Patent prints –These are friction ridge impressions of horizontal line like a fraction.
unknown origin which are obvious to the human eye and  Blocking - is the process of writing below each
are caused by a transfer of foreign material on the finger, finger-print pattern the corresponding symbols of its
onto a surface. Because they are already visible they name.
need no enhancement, and are photographed instead of
being lifted.
Six Divisions of Classifications in Order According
Plastic prints/Molded prints - A friction ridge to their Importance
impression from a finger or palm (or toe/foot) deposited (Edward Henry “Henry System”)
in a material that retains the shape of the ridge detail. 1. Primary Classification
Commonly encountered examples are melted candle 2. Secondary Classification
wax; putty removed from the perimeter of window panes 3. Sub-secondary classification
and thick grease deposits on car parts. Such prints are 4. Major Division
already visible and need no enhancement, but 5. Key
investigators must not overlook the potential that 6. Final
invisible latent prints deposited by accomplices may also
be on such surfaces. Formation in classification line
Key Maj. Prim. Sec. Sub.Sec. Final

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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 8
Subject: Dactyloscopy

Div. Class. Class Class they are given the identical classification of the
Class opposite fingers.

1. Primary Classification – is the sum total of all

numerical values of whose found in fingerprint set
expressed as the numerator and the denominator 2. Secondary Classification – is the exhibition of
plus the pre- established fraction of one over 1 (1/1). Capital Letter symbols of plain arch, tented
arch, radial loop, ulnar loop, plain whorl,
How to get the primary classification central-pocket loop, double loop whorl, and
a. By Pairing accidental found in the index finger of both
b. By assigning numerical values to whorl patterns hands.
only - The pattern appearing on the right index
should be placed on the numerator and the
Types of Fingerprint Patterns (Symbol) pattern appearing on the left index should
Without numerical value: A, T, R, U be placed on the denominator.
With numerical value: W, C, D, X - There are twenty five (25) possible
combinations which may appear in the
c. Knowing the numerators and denominators in index finger from A/A to W/W without C, D,
the pairs and X. (Collins) There are 64 combinations
Note: Even Number- Numerator for filing from A/A to X/X.
Odd Number- Denominator
Secondary Small Letter Classification - It is
d. Summing up the numerical values of whorls the exhibition of small letter symbols of arch,
assigned to the fingers plus the pre-established tented arch and radial loop found before and
fraction of 1/1 after the index finger of both hands.
N= 16+8+4+2+1 = 31+1 = 32
D= 16+8+4+2+1 = 31+1 = 32 3. Sub- Secondary Classification – is the
exhibition of the resultant symbol for the ridge
counting in loops as expressed by symbol I and
Number of Possible Combination in Primary O and ridge tracing for whorl as expressed by
Classification symbol IMO from the right index to the left ring
• There are 1,024 possible combination for finger excluding the thumbs and the little fingers
primary classification from 1/1 to 32/32. of both hands.
• 1/1 – lowest primary classification - Fingers to be considered are: index
• 32/32 – highest primary classification finger, middle finger, and ring finger of both
hands.
Note: Whorl type of pattern is the only
fingerprint patterns with numerical values and Loop Sub- Secondary by Ridge Counting – It
an arbitrary count of one (1) is always added. is the exhibition of the resultant symbol for the
ridge counting in loops as expressed by symbol
Purpose of Fixed Count of One: IO found from indexes, middles and ring fingers
of both hands, the ridges are counted and
The purpose is to avoid a classification of zero over zero compound to the pre-established table to obtain
(0/0) in a set of prints in which this might be mistaken for the resultant symbol IO. All loop sets of prints
a letter “O” which has another specific meaning in the using the Index, Middle, and Ring fingers of
classification. both hands has sixty four (64) combinations.

CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS AND FINGERS Whorl Sub- Secondary by Ridge Tracing -

MISSING AT BIRTH when the whorl is found on the index, middle
• If one finger is amputated, it is given a and ring fingers of both hands the ridges are
classification identical with that of the opposite traced to obtain the resultant symbol IMO.
finger, including pattern and ridge count or There are seven hundred twenty nine (729)
tracing. possible Subsecondary combinations for whorl
• If two or more finger are amputated they are type patterns in the Index, Middle, and Ring
given classification identical with the opposite fingers of both hands.
fingers.
• If two amputated finger are opposite each For whorl tracing:
other, both are given the classification of whorls  Meeting (M) – 0 to 2 ridges from left delta
with meeting tracing. to the right delta
• When fingerprint card bearing notation of  Outer (O) – 3 or more ridges below the
fingers missing at birth is classified, the missing right delta
fingers should be treated as amputations in that

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 International School of Asia and the Pacific 9
Subject: Dactyloscopy

 Inner (I) – 3 or more ridges above the right - When a whorl is found on the right little
delta. finger, ridges are counted from left delta to
the core.
For Tented Arch and Plain Arch - When the whorl is found on the left little
If a Plain Arch or Tented arch are present on finger, ridges are counted from right delta
the index, middle, and ring fingers of both to the core.
hands, just put a dash (-) for the sub-secondary
classification. 6. Key Classification - It is the ridge count of the
first loop from the right thumb to the left ring
4. Major Division – is the exhibition of the ridge finger excluding little fingers of both hands. In
counting in loops as expressed by symbol SML the absence of loop, the ridge count of the first
and the ridge tracing for whorls as expressed whorl will be utilized as the key treated as ulnar
by symbols IMO found on the thumbs of both loop.
hands. - For T and A just put dash in the
classification line.
Three (3) Kinds of Major Division - The Key Classification is placed on the
extreme left of the classification line and is
1) Loop Major Division – When the loop is always represented as numerator, no
found on the thumb of both hands, the ridges matter where it is taken.
are counted and compared to the pre-
established table of Whorl Major Division.
READ: PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION by
P. Tubid

Denominator Numerator
Left Hand Right Hand

1- 11= S 1-11= S
12- 16= M 12- 16= M
17 > = L

17 > = L 1 – 17 = S
18 – 22 = M
23 > = L

2) Whorl Major Division – When the whorl is

found on the thumbs of both hands, the
ridges are traced to obtain the resultant
symbol IMO.
3) Combination of Loop and Whorl Major
Division – When one of the thumbs is loop,
the resultant symbol SML is used and when
the other thumb is whorl, the resultant symbol
IMO is used. For T and A just put dash in the
classification line.

5. Final Classification – It is the ridge count of

the loops an whorls found on the little fingers of
both hands. Arches and tented arches are
represented by dashes in classification formula.
- For T and A just put dash in the
classification line.
- Final Classification is located or placed on
the extreme right of the classification line.

How to Ridge Count a Whorl:

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