DACTYLOSCOPY

Alphonse Bertillon – Father of Scientific Identification

Anthropometry – the first scientific method of identification done by measuring various bony
structure of the human body devised by Alphonse Bertillon.

CHINESE– are the ones noted to be the first user of Fingerprint.

- use fingerprints as symbolism in the early part of their rituals until they utilize it in the
signing of a contract on the part of the illiterate.
* In China fingerprint is called “ Hua Chi “

Emperor Te’in Shi (246-210 BC)- first Chinese ruler who devised a seal carved from white
jade; on one side of it was the name of the owner, and on the other side the thumb mark of the
destitute

FINGERPRINT : ITS DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT

1. 1686 – Malpighi
In 1686, Marcello Malpighi, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bologna, noted in his
treatise; ridges, spirals and loops in fingerprints. He made no mention of their value as a tool for
individual identification. A layer of skin was named after him; "Malpighi" layer, which is
approximately 1.8mm thick.

- an Italian Anatomist, who published his work “De Externo Tactus Organo” depicting the
construction of the layers of the human skin.
- known as the GRANDFATHER OF DACTYLOSCOPY according to Dr. Edmond Locard
- he described the ridges found on the palmar surface of the hand which course in diverse
and designs and the pores which served as the mouth of the sweat glands.
- he was noted for the discovery of the inner and outer structure of the skin:
*Dermis – inner layer * Epidermis – outer layer

2. 1788 –JCA MAYER– he published a book which was an atlas of anatomical Illustrations of
Fingerprint. His remarks contain an statement which clearly pronounced one of the fundamental
principles of Fingerprint Science although the arrangement of the skin, ridges is never
duplicated in two persons, nevertheless the similarities are closer among some individuals.
• - He was the first to state that the prints of two different persons are never alike.

3. 1823 – Purkinje (Father of Dactyloscopy)

In 1823, John Evangelist Purkinje, a professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau,
published his thesis discussing 9 fingerprint patterns, but he too made no mention of the value
of fingerprints for personal identification.
– he published his book “ Commentary of the Physiological Examination of the Organs of Vision
and the Cutaneous System” describing the ridges, giving their names and establishing certain
rules of classification (nine groups)
- he discovered in his study of physiology that the skin on the inner surface of the hands bore
patterns.

4. 1856 - Herman Welcker

– he took the prints of his own palms and after forty-one years (1879) he printed the same
palms to prove that prints do not change except for some scratches due to old age.

5. 1858 – Herschel (Father of Chiroscopy)

The English first began using fingerprints in July of 1858, when Sir William James Herschel,
Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, India, first used fingerprints on native
contracts. On a whim, and with no thought toward personal identification, Herschel had
Rajyadhar Konai, a local businessman, impress his hand print on a contract.
1900 – Sir Edward Richard Henry (Father of Fingerprints )
- Inspired by various predecessors in the study of fingerprints, he developed his own system
of classification while working in Scotland Yard.
- His system of classification was established with the help of two Hindu police officer namely
Khan Bahadur Azizul Haque and Rai Hem Chandra Bose and it was widely accepted making
him known as the Father of Fingerprint.
- His system of identification finally replaces the Bertillionage system of identification in
France (Anthropometry of Alphonse Bertillon).

OFFICIAL USE OF FINGERPRINTS IN USA

1902 – The New York Civil Service Commission required all applicants to be fingerprinted.
* Henry P. Forest – Chief Medical Examiner of New York Civil Service Commission and an
American Preacher in fingerprint science in the US for the New York Civil Srevice
Commission to prevent applicants from having better-qualified persons to take the test for
them.
1903 -The New York State Prison system began the first systematic use of fingerprints in U.S.
for criminals
1905 -U.S. Army begins using fingerprints. U.S. Department of Justice forms the Bureau of
Criminal Identification in Washington, DC to provide a centralized reference collection of
fingerprint cards.
1907 - U.S. Navy begins using fingerprints. U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Criminal
Identification moves to Leavenworth Federal Penitentiary where it is staffed at least partially by
inmates.
1908 - U.S. Marine Corps begins using fingerprints.
1911 – First Criminal Conviction was based solely upon fingerprint evidence, Illinois USA
(People vs. Jennings)

FINGERPRINTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

Mr. Jones – one who first taught fingerprint in the Philippine Constabulary in the year 1900.
Bureau of Prison – Records show that in 1918, CARPETAS (Commitment and Conviction
Records) already used fingerprint.
Lt. Asa and N. Darby – established a modern and complete fingerprint files for Philippine
Commonwealth during the reoccupation of the Philippines by the American Forces.
Generoso Reyes – First Filipino Fingerprint Technician employed by the Philippine
Constabulary.
Isabela Bernales – first Filipina Fingerprint Technician
Capt. Thomas Dugan, New York Police Department and Flaviano Guerrero, FBI
Washington gave the first examination in fingerpr8itning in 1927 and Agustin Patricio of the
Philippines Top the Examination.
People of the Philippines vs. Medina – first conviction based on fingerprint leading judicial
decision in the Philippine Jurisprudence.
Plaridel Education Institution – now known as the Philippine College of Criminology, the first
government recognized school to teach the Science of Fingerprint and other Police Sciences.

LEGALITY OF FINGERPRINT
People vs. Jennings (1911, Illinois) – pass upon the admissibility of fingerprint evidence
State vs. Cerciello (New Jersey) – fingerprint evidence was permitted to be introduced.
State vs. Conners – it was held competent to show by a photograph the fingerprints upon a
balcony post of a house entered, without producing that post in court.
People vs. Coral (California) – it is completely settled law that fingerprints are the strongest
evidence of the identity of a person. It was reasserted in another California case, People v.
Riser – fingerprint evidence is the strongest evidence of identity and is ordinarily sufficient aid to
identify the defendant.
Bilangawa vs. Amador (Philippines) – a fingerprint expert and constabulary sergeant testified
and successfully defended fingerprint evidence based on eight identical ridge points.
People vs. Medina - the first leading judicial decision in the Philippine jurisprudence on the
science of fingerprinting.
DACTYLOSCOPY – the science which deals with study of fingerprints as a means of personal
identification.

2 Greek Words: Dactyl – a finger Skopein – to examine

DACTYLOGRAPHY – the study of fingerprints for the purpose of identification.

DACTYLOMANCY – an attempt at character reading through the pattern of fingerprints.
DERMATOGLYPHICS – are the lines, tracings and designs on the skin of fingers, palms and
soles.
POLYDACTYL – a hand having more than the required numbers of fingers

Three Allied or Related Sciences within the Scope of Dactyloscopy

1. CHIROSCOPY – scientific examination of the palm of the hand
Greek words:
Cheir – palm/hand skopein – to examine

2. PODOSCOPY – scientific examination of the sole of the foot.

Greek words:
Podo – sole/foot skopein – to examine

3. POROSCOPY – scientific examination of sweat pores/glands.

Greek words:
Poros – a pare skopein – to examine

DOGMATIC PRINCIPLES IN THE BIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FINGERPRINTS

1. PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUALITY – this states that no two fingerprints of different persons
or the neighboring fingers of the same person have ever been found to be identical or
exactly alike in all respect that the ridges appearing in fingerprint patterns of identical
twins are never found to be identical to each other.

2. PRINCIPLE OF CONSTANCY/ PERMANENCY – this states that the papillary ridges are
immutable, perennial and individual from the third month of the embryonic while the child
is still at the mothers womb and it will never change until decomposition sets in after
death.
Some attempts of destroying Ridges and Disguised
• JOHN DILLENGER – US notorious public enemy No. 1, who tried to remove his
fingerprints with acid but failed. Post-mortem fingerprints was taken when he was shot
by FBI agents proved that he was Dillenger.
• ROBERT JAMES PITTS – gained fame as the man without fingerprints knowing from an
inmate of a possible destruction of fingerprints. He contacted a doctor. He removed the
skin up to the generative layer and served thin into incisions on each side of Pitts chest.
Scar tissue was developed. Almost a year later, he was picked up and police amazed to
find that he had no fingerprints. The Texas Department of Public Safety was able to affect
identification out of the second joints of his fingers. He is also known by the Name
Roscoe Pitts.

• LOCARD AND WITKOWSJI of Lyons, who performed rather painful experiments on

themselves by burning their fingerprints with boiling water, hot oil and hot metal had
shown that after the healing of the epidermis, the original patterns of fingerprints
reappeared.

3. PRINCIPLE OF INFALLIBILITY – this states that the fingerprint can never be forged.
Fingerprint is reliable means of identification.

FINGERPRINT LABORATORY EQUIPMENT

1. Ink Roller – refers to an instrument used for spreading the ink into the ink slab or inking
plate.
 2. Ink Slab/ Inking Plate – refers to a piece of metal or a plane glass with as much as 1/4
thick and 6 or more inches long where the fingerprint ink is distributed for fingerprinting.
3. Card Holder – refers to a gadget used for clipping the fingerprint card to avoid movement
of the card during printing.
4. Fingerprint ink – refers to a especially manufactured ink for purposes of taking fingerprint.
5. Magnifying glass – refers to an instrument used for examination of developed prints.
6. Fingerprint powders – refers to the powder used in developing latent prints found in the
scene of crime. They are normally found in two; the black and the white or gray, which is
applied depending upon the contrasting background.
7. Fingerprint brushes – refers to an instrument used for powdering latent prints. There are
three variations of brushes used: the fiber glass, magnetic and feather type.
8. Fingerprint Lifting tape – refers to a tapes used for lifting developed latent prints which is
quite harder than an ordinary tapes.
9. Latent Prints Transfer Cards – refers to a card used in preserving lifted latent prints which
is either white or black in background.
10. Fingerprint Cards – refers to a piece of card used for recording the ten fingerprints for
comparison. The usual size is 8” x 8”.
11. Scissors – refers to a simple instrument for cutting latent print tapes and for other
purposes.
12. Rubber Gloves – to protect the technician’s fingers from leaving his own prints on the
object or on the scene.
13. Post-mortem Fingerprint Equipment – refers to a set of equipment consisting of
hypodermis syringe, spoon, tissue builder solvent, tissue cleaner, etc. used for taking
prints of dead person.
14. Fingerprint Table – a table intended for taking fingerprints
15. Fingerprint Pointers – use for pointing the ridges in the conduct of ridge counting
16. Fingerprint cameras – use in photographing the developed latent prints
17. Forensic Optical Comparator – use to compare two fingerprints at the same time

FINGERPRINT – the distinctive ridge outline which appears on the bulb of fingers.
- is an impression design by the ridges on the inside of the last joint of the finger or thumb on
any smooth surface through the media of an ink. sweat, or any reagents capable of producing
visibility.
FRICTION SKIN – epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral/lower surface of the hands and
feet covered with minute ridges and furrows and without pigment and coloring matters.
- the skin covering of the palms of hands and the soles of feet.
- are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs by which fingerprints
are made.
RIDGE SURFACE – is that component of the friction skin that actually forms the fingerprint
impression.
1. RIDGES – are tiny elevation or hill like structures found on the epidermis layer of the
skin containing sweat pores.
- it appears as black lines with tiny white dots called pores in an inked impression.
2. FURROWS – are the canal like impression or a depression found between the ridges
which maybe compare with the low area in a tire thread.

SWEAT PORES – is a small opening found anywhere across the ridge surface but is usually
found near the center.
SWEAT DUCT – is a long host like structure that serves as the passage way for the sweat that
exits at its mouth, the pore.
SWEAT GLANDS – that glands found in the dermis layer of the skin which is responsible for the
production of the sweat (watery substance).

FUNDAMENTAL LAYERS OF THE SKIN

1. EPIDERMIS – the outer covering of the skin
2 Main Layers of the Epidermis:
1. Stratum Corneum – outer layers
2. Stratum Mucusom – immediately beneath the covering layers.
TERMINAL PHALANGE – the particular bone that is covered with the friction skin having all the
different types of pattern and located near the tip of the finger.

• FIVE SUBDIVISIONS OF THE STRATUM CORNEUM

1. Corneous Layer 2. Transparent Layer
3. Granucar Layer 4. Malphigian Layer 5. Generating Layer

2. DERMIS – the inner layer of the skin containing blood vessels, various glands and
nerves. It is where the dermal papillae are found.

RIDGE FORMATION
• Ridges begin to form on the human fetus during the 3rd to 4th months of the fetus
DERMAL PAPILLAE – irregular blunt pegs composed of delicate connective tissues, protruding
and forming the ridges of the skin, each containing a small opening or pores.

ROLLED IMPRESSION – an impression made or place in the fingerprint card which is taken
individually by rolling the ten fingers of the subject 180 degrees from tip to the second joints.

PLAIN IMRESSION – an impression made simultaneously that serves as a reference

impression
REASONS FOR POOR IMPRESSION:
1. Poor ink – resulting in the ridges being too light to count or trace
2. Dirty Finger or equipment – presence of foreign materials which may result from failure
to clean thoroughly the inking equipment or the fingers, may cause false markings, distorted
ridges or disappearance of characteristics.
3. Improper rolling – failure to roll the fingers fully from one side to the other resulting in
incomplete prints which may cannot be fully identified.
4. Rolling more than once
5. Too much pressure
6. Slippage – this happens when the fingers are allowed t slip or twist resulting in smears,
blurs and false patterns.
7. Over inking – using of too much ink resulting obliteration of the thin layer with the roller.
8. Incomplete Inking – failure to ink the entire bulb of the finger, from joint t tip from side to
side of nails, resulting in the possible omission of deltas and core.

MACERATED FINGERS-Partially rotten and saponified to the extent that the end joints have
hardened and wrinkled after excessive submersion in water. This can be restored for
identification by being softened in a solution of four parts of concentrated ammonium hydroxide
and one part of glycerin. The amputated fingers should remain in the solution for from thirty-six
to forty – eight hours. When the desired degree of softness is obtained, the fingers should be
washed in warm water and then dried by being dipped in acetone.

MUMMIFIED FINGERS-Usually hard and shrunken mummified fingers can be restored and the
skin made pliable by being soaked in a 1-3% solution of potassium hydroxide.

TISSUE BUILDER - Use to take the fingerprints of wrinkled fingers (ex. With a mummified body
or one that has been immersed in water for sometime). This can be used to expand the finger
to the normal volume. It is injected under the skin above the first joint of the fingers to be printed.
Tissue builder solvent is used as cleaning solvent and as diluents.

POST MORTEM FINGER STRAIGHTENERS - Made to fit a variety of finger sizes, these steel
tools are specifically designed to straighten the clenched fingers of the deceased.

TYPES OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS:

ARCH (5%) LOOP (60%) WHORL (35%)

Plain Arch Radial Loop Plain Whorl

Tented Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket Loop Whorl
Double Loop Whorl
Accidental Whorl
1. Plain Arch – a pattern in which the ridges flows from one side to the other without recurving,
usually having a slight upward curve in the center, making the pattern like an arch.
2. Tented Arch – a pattern where one or more ridges at the center forms an up trust or make a
sufficient rise giving the pattern of a “Tent” giving an angle of 90 degrees or less.
Requisites of a core:
a. No core b. No delta c. No recurving ridge
3. Radial Loop – a loop in which the downward slope or the slanting ridges runs towards the
direction of the thumb.
* Radial Bone – the inner bone of the forearm that runs to the wrist on the side where the
thumb is located.
4. Ulnar Loop - a loop in which the downward slope or the slanting ridges runs towards the
direction of the little finger.

* Ulna Bone – the bone running to the wrist located or situated on the little finger

Requisites of a Loop pattern:

1. It must have a delta
2. It must have a core
3. It must have a recurving ridge that passes between the delta and the core
4. It must have a ridge count of at least one.
5. Plain Whorl – a pattern consisting of two deltas and which at least one ridge makes a turn
through one complete circuit. An imaginary line drawn between the two deltas must touch or
cross at least one of the recurving ridges within the pattern area.
Elements of a Plain Whorl:
1. A complete circuit
2. Two deltas
3. At least one circuiting ridge is touched or crossed by an imaginary line traversing between the
two deltas.

6. Central Pocket Loop Whorl – a pattern which possesses two deltas with core or more
ridges forming a complete circuit which may be oval, spiral, circular,or any variant of a circle
Elements of a Central Pocket Loop Whorl:
1. At least one recurving or obstruction at right angle
2. Two deltas
3. No recurving ridges within the pattern area are touched or cross by an imaginary line drawn
between the two deltas.

7. Double Loop Whorl – a pattern consisting of two separate and distinct loop formations, with
sets of shoulder and two deltas.

Elements of a double loop whorl:

1. Two separate loop formation 2. Two separate and distinct shoulders
3. Two deltas

8. Accidental Whorl – a pattern consisting of a combination of two different types of pattern

such as a loop and a whorl, a loop and a central pocket loop whorl, or any combination of two
different loop and whorl type pattern but it cannot be a combination of a plain arch with any
other pattern. It can have two or more deltas.

Elements:
1. Combination of two different type of pattern with the exceptions of the plain arch.
2. Two or more deltas

RIDGE COUNTING – the process of counting the ridges that touch the imaginary line drawn
between the delta and the core of a loop.

RULES GOVERNING THE CHOICE BETWEEN TWO OR MORE POSSIBLE DELTAS

a. A bifurcation may not be selected as a delta if it does not open towards the core. A bifurcation
should be the first ridge formation in front of the divergence of the typelines and it must open
towards the pattern area.
b. When there is a choice between two or more possible delta, the one nearest to the core be
selected.
c. When there is a choice between two or more possible delta one of which is a bifurcation, the
bifurcation should be selected.
d. The delta may not be located on the middle of the ridge running between the typelines
towards the core, but at the end of the ridge.
e. When a pattern shows a series of bifurcation opening towards the core at the point of
divergence of the typelines, the bifurcation nearest the core is chosen as the delta.
f. In case of ridge near the center of the typelines despite several bifurcating ridge opening
towards the core, the delta is located at the point of the first bifurcation just in front of the
divergence of the typelines.

RULES GOVERNING THE SELECTION OF THE CORE

a. The core on the shoulder of the recurving ridge farther from the delta.
* When an innermost recurving ridge contains a rod or an ending ridge rising as high as the
shoulders of the loop, the core is placed on the summit of the rod.

b. When the innermost recurving ridge contains an uneven number of rods rising as high as the
shoulder line or even higher the core is placed upon the end of the center ridge whether it
touches the recurve or not.

c. When the innermost recurve contains an even number of ridges which are rising as high or
higher than its shoulder line, the core is placed upon the end of the center ridge whether it
touches the innermost recurve or not.

d. When the innermost recurve contains an even number of ridges which are rising as higher
than its shoulder line, of the two central ridges, the core is placed upon the end of the second
ridge which is farther from the delta.

RULES IN RIDGE COUNTING:

a. Locate the exact points of the core and delta
b. Count all the ridges which touch or cross an imaginary line drawn between the core and the
delta.
c. Incipient ridges are never counted no matter where they appear, the general rule is that in
order to be counted, the width of the ridge must be equal to the width of the other ridges in the
pattern under consideration.

RIDGES SUBJECT TO RIDGE COUNTING

1. A ridge island or a dot gives one ridge count
2. A short ridge is given one ridge count
3. A long ridge is given one ridge count
4. An abrupt ending ridges is given one ridge count
5. A bifurcating ridge is given two ridge counts when it was cross in the opening or at the center
of the bifurcation.
6. Ridge enclosure is counted as two ridges.

RIDGE TRACING – the process of tracing the ridges from the left delta to the right delta.

RULES IN RIDGE TRACING

1. Look for the left delta and traced the delta towards the front of the right delta.
2. When the ridge being traced abruptly ends, drop to the next ridge just right below the original
tracing ridge and continue the tracing until it reaches the opposite side.
3. When the delta is a dot, same thing should be done in number 2 procedure.
4. When the ridge being traced is a bifurcation always follow the lower branch until tracing is
completed.
5. Determine whether the tracing ridge flows inside or outside the right delta.
6. Count the number of the intervening ridge (between the tracing ridge and the right delta.

TYPES OF WHORL TRACING

INNER ( I ) – a whorl pattern whereby the tracing ridge runs or goes inside or above the right
delta (3 or more intervening ridges going inside the right delta)
OUTER ( O ) – a whorl pattern whereby a tracing ridge runs or goes below or outside the right
delta. ( 3 or more intervening ridges going outside the right delta )

MEETING ( M ) – whorl pattern having two or less intervening ridges regardless of whether the
tracing ridge flows below or above the right delta. ( 2 or less intervening ridges either it goes in
or out the right delta )

CLASSIFICATION – it refers to the sorting of things into division or group so that they can at
later time be quickly located.

THE HENRY SYSTEM CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

The original Henry System, as it was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901, converted ridge
patterns on all 10 fingers into a series of letters and numbers arranged in the form of a fraction.

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub-Secondary Final

Major Primary Secondary Sub-Secondary

1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION – the summation of all the numerical values assigned to whorls
appearing in a fingerprint card which are expressed as numerator and denominator plus the pre-
established fraction of 1/1.

* Assigning numerical value to whorl only.

Whorl – with numerical value

Arch and Loop – no numerical value

1, 3, 5, 7, 9 – Denominator
2, 4, 6, 8, 10 - Numerator

1 32
______ Minimum Primary Classification _______ Maximum Primary Classification

1 32
2. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION – it is obtain by writing the capital letter symbols taken from
the index fingers and the small letter group from the thumb, middle, ring and little fingers
* It appears just to the right of the fraction which represents the primary.
CAPITAL LETTER GROUP – all letters appearing at the index fingers, right index as the
numerator and left index as the denominator.

SMALL LETTER GROUP – only letters a (plain arch), t (tented arch), r (radial loop)
* If a type of pattern intervenes and which does not belong to the small letter symbols, it must be
represented by a dash (-) to show in what finger it belongs.

3. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION – the grouping of print according to the ridge count of

loops and the ridge tracing of whorls appearing at the Index, Middle, and Ring Fingers.
* It is placed on the classification line immediately to the right of the secondary classification.

* The result of the ridge count must be written on the right upper corner of the frame in number
and later on converted into symbol and write it on the rightmost portion of the classification line.

RIDGE COUNTING FOR LOOPS

INNER - I OUTER - O
INDEX FINGERS 1-9 10 or more
MIDDLE FINGERS 1-10 11 or more
RING FINGERS 1-13 14 or more

RIDGE TRACING FOR WHORLS

* The result of the ridge trace must be written on the right upper corner of the frame
automatically in symbol and re-exhibit on the rightmost portion of the classification line.

INNER - 3 or more intervening ridges going inside the right delta

MEETING - 2 or less intervening ridges either it goes in or out the right delta
OUTER - 3 or more intervening ridges going outside the right delta
SYMBOL THAT WILL BE USED FOR ARCHES – DASH ( - ) – to be exhibited only in the
classification line.

4. MAJOR CLASSIFICATION – this is similar to the previous classification though it applies

only to the thumbs. Loops are ridge counted and whorls are ridge traced.
* it is written on the leftmost part of the classification line before the primary classification.

SYMBOLS FOR LOOPS

SMALL – S MEDIUM – M LARGE – L

LOOP PATTERNS IN BOTH THUMBS – in a set of prints having loop patterns in both hands,
the ridge count of the left thumb governs the symbol for the right thumb.

LEFT THUMB RIDGE COUNT RIGHT THUMB RIDGE COUNT

1 – 11 SMALL ( S ) 1 – 11 SMALL ( S )
12 – 16 MEDIUM ( M )
17 or more LARGE ( L )

12 – 16 MEDIUM ( M ) 1 – 11 SMALL ( S )
12 – 16 MEDIUM ( M )
17 or more LARGE ( L )

17 or more LARGE ( L ) 1 – 17 SMALL ( S )

18 – 22 MEDIUM ( M )
23 or more LARGE ( L )

EITHER THUMB MISSING – when the thumb is missing, the missing one acquires the same
pattern, ridge count, or ridge tracing as the thumb of the opposite hand.

LOOP AND WHORL IN MAJOR – When the whorl appears in one thumb and a loop in the
other, a specific sequence is used.

Arches are represented by a dash in the classification line only

5. KEY CLASSIFICATION – represents the ridge count of the first loop appearing in a set of
prints, beginning with the right thumb but excluding the little finger.
*It is always written at the extreme left of the numerator.

IF NO LOOP PATTERNS APPEAR IN A SET OF FINGERPRINT – make ridge count of whorl

appearing at the thumb of the right at the extreme left delta.

KEY IS NOT POSSIBLE – if the entire set of prints is composed of plain arches and tented
arches, the key cannot be obtained.
6. FINAL CLASSIFICATION – the ridge count of a loop appearing at the right little finger. It is
exhibited or place at the extreme right of the classification line.
* If there is NO LOOP IN THE RIGHT LITTLE FINGER – a loop in the left little finger may be
used. The little finger position in the formula remains unchanged, except that the ridge count is
noted as a denominator rather than as a numerator.
* If ARCH OR TENTED ARCH appears in the little finger it is indicated it is represented by a
small dash (-) at the classification line. Final classification is not obtainable it appears in both
little fingers.

*BOTH LITTLE FINGERS ARE USED – In some cases both little fingers are considered by
some bureaus and the ridge counts of both are recorded. However, the count of the right little
finger governs the sequence for filing within the final classification.

* IF WHORL APPEARS IN THE LITTLE FINGERS – no loops appear in the little fingers but a
whorl appears instead. A final classification may be obtained by a ridge count of the whorl.

RULES IN WHORL COUNTING:

1. Plain whorl and central pocket loop whorl are to be treated as ulnar loop from the hand of
origin.
2. Double loop is ridge counted to an upright loop.
3. Accidental whorls – the ridge count is made from left delta of the right hand or right delta of
the left hand to the core which has the least number of ridge distant from the delta.

CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATED FINGERS:

1. If one finger is amputated (AMP) or missing at birth (FMB) the classification is based on the
opposite finger with the numerical value.
2. When one or more fingers of both hands are missing, the said same fingers will be arbitrarily
be interpreted as Plain whorl with Meeting Tracing.
3. When all fingers of both hands are missing, they are all to be considered Plain Whorl, with
Meeting Tracing.

LATENT PRINTS – it has been defined as the markings of oily matter or perspiration from the
skin glands left upon surface which the hands and fingers may have touched.
- it is best described as a combination of chemicals which is exuded by the pores on the surface
of the skin.

CHANCE IMPRESSIONS – these are impressions left by chance at the crime scene

TYPES OF LATENT PRINTS

1. VISIBLE PRINTS – often impress on dust, blood oil or grease.
* MOLDED PRINTS – those marks on the surface whenever fingers touch soft objects
2. INVISIBLE PRINTS – those prints that are made due to the sweat present in the fingers and
thumb of a person that is transferred to any object that he holds.
*SMUDGE PRINTS – those prints that are indistinct due to sliding motion of fingers at the time
they are impressed.
* FRAGMENTARY PRINTS – those prints that show only a portion of the pattern or of the
friction skin.
*PLASTIC PRINTS – prints formed on plastic material, such as melted paraffin from a pitch,
paste on envelope and stamps
LATENT PRINT DEVELOPMENT

POWDERS - One of the oldest, most common and most readily available methods for the
development of latent fingerprints is that of dusting a surface with a fine powder of contrasting
color. The use of powders depends on the object upon which the search is being conducted. A
wide range of powders is commercially available and their formulation differs with each
manufacture.
CHEMICAL DEVELOPMENT OF LATENT FRICTION RIDGE IMPRESSIONS

A visual chemical reaction between the reagent and one or more of the constituents of
human perspiration, to yield to a colored, luminescent, or radioactive product. In this manner
the ridge detail becomes visible and the prints can be photographed and further manipulated.

IODINE FUMING – it involves a process of sublimation and absorption. The iodine crystal is
capable of fuming to gas without passing the liquid state, thus it is subjected to heat the process
of sublimation becomes faster and such will liberates a violet iodine vapor which will be
absorbed by the fingerprint secretion residues producing a yellow brown prints.
CYANOACRYLATE FUMING – successfully used for the development of latent prints on
surfaces as diverse as plastics, electrical tape, garbage bags. Styrofoam, carbon paper , etc.
CYANOACRYLATE (SUPERGLUE) – cyanoacrylate vapor develops fingerprints on a wide
range of surface. It produces a white deposit as a result of polymerization with the latent
fingerprint. Water acts as a catalysts for the polymerization.
IODINE DUSTING METHOD – iodine crystals are found into fine grain powder and dusted onto
the surface containing latent fingerprints with a fingerprint brush.
IODINE FUMING GUN METHOD – can be made from either a glass of hard plastic tube. Fresh
calcium chloride crystals should be used as a drying agent.
SILVER NITRATE REAGENT – Can be used in raw wood surfaces. Silver nitrate reacts with
chlorides contained in latent fingerprints producing silver chloride, which when exposed to light
turns to a dark gray.
PHYSICAL DEVELOPER – physical development is s photographic process that is based on
the formation of silver and ferrous/ferric redox couple and the deposition of metal slats onto a
latent fingerprints image.
SMALL PARTICLE REAGENT (SPR) – consist of suspension of fine molybdenum, disulfide
particles in detergent solution. The particles adhere to fatty constituents of latent print residues
and form a gray molybdenum disulfide deposit.

NINHYDRIN
The reaction of amines with ninhydrin to form the colored reaction product known as
Ruhemann's purple was discovered by Siegfried Ruhemann in 1910. Ninhydrin, as well as its
analogues, reacts with the amino acid compound of the latent fingerprint deposit (eccrine
secretion) to give the dark purple product known as Ruhemann's purple (RP).

DFO is an amino acid sensitive reagent that gives a pale pinkish-purple reaction product (lighter
in color than that obtained with ninhydrin). The advantage of the reagent is that, without any
secondary treatment, developed prints show a strong room temperature luminescence. In
addition, results are obtained within a very short period of time (less than 30 minutes).

OSMIUM TETROXIDE - is a volatile oxidant that reacts with the double bonds present in the
unsaturated organic components of the fingerprint deposit (sebaceous gland secretion) to give a
blank product. The treatment is by simple exposition of the object to the vapor given off by the
crystals of the reagent in an enclosed glass container. Development times may be from one to
12 hours and dark grey-black fingerprint images are formed.

OPTICAL DETECTION TECHNIQUES

Optical detection methods have the advantage of being completely non-destructive with respect
to the latent fingerprint deposit. As a result, these techniques do not preclude the later
application of conventional fingerprint development procedures. The simple observation of an
object under white light may disclose a visible fingerprint that can be photographed without any
further treatment.

RADIOACTIVE METHODS of fingerprint detection present several disadvantages which are

inherent to the use of radioactive materials, the reagents are expensive and specific safety
measures must be taken. The use of such techniques is therefore restricted to specialized
laboratories.
MULTIMETAL DEPOSITION
This technique combines the principles of a small particle reagent and of a physical developer
and was developed under the name of "Multimetal Deposition" (MMD). The development is
achieved in two steps, the first being immersion of the object to be treated in a solution of
tetrachloroauric acid (gold chloride) where the active constituent is colloidal gold. The use of
colloidal gold is an established technique in biochemistry for the detection of proteins, peptides
and, by extension, amino acids. It is now known that colloidal gold, at a certain pH (2.5 and 3.9),
binds to the amino acids, peptides, and proteins in the latent fingerprint deposit to give a weakly
gold metallic outline of the ridges. In some cases, identifiable prints are obtained after this first
step.

The second step involves the treatment of prints developed by the "colloidal gold" process with
a modified Physical Developer solution. The bound colloidal gold provides a nucleation site
around which silver precipitates from the PD solution. This step greatly amplifies the visibility of
the print which, after this second treatment, can vary in color from light grey to almost black.
One advantage of the Multimetal Deposition technique is that it can be incorporated into
fingerprint reagent sequences, as will be discussed later.

DNA FINGERPRINTING
DNA fingerprinting is a laboratory procedure that can be done in six steps. DNA must be
recovered from the cells or tissues of the body. Restriction enzymes are used to cut the DNA at
specific locations according to the DNA sequence at that location. The DNA pieces are sorted
according to size through a process called electrophoresis in which the particles are passed
through seaweed agarose to determine particle sizes. The DNA is transferred to nylon by
placing the sheet on the gel and letting them soak. Radioactive or colored probes are added to
the nylon sheet and a pattern is produced. This pattern is called a DNA fingerprint and is formed
because each of the colored probes sticks in specific places on the nylon sheet. A final DNA
fingerprint is made through the use of several probes at the same time to form a code.

METHODS OF FINGERPRINT COMPARISON:

ORDINARY METHOD – characterized by the marking of the points, of identity, one after
another, by means of lines drawn from them to the margin and in clockwise direction.
1. Simple method – the identical points of identity in both enlargements are drawn with a
straight lines (in red ink) to the margin. Begin the numbering from any of the focal points until
you have numbered all the identical points in both enlargements.
2. Modified Method – in the lines preceding the numbers are names of the corresponding ridge
characteristics or their equivalent abbreviations are written.
3. Drawn Method – the numbers are placed about one centimeter immediately at the end of the
lines. Circles are drawn at the end of the lines on the margin of the photograph, then inside the
said circles are drawn the corresponding ridge characteristics.
4. Osborn Method – the two enlarged photographs are divided each into squares, both exactly
alike, with the squares occupying identical positions on each and then examining them in their
order, squares for squares, designating the identical points in each square.
5. Seymour Method – make first a skeleton tracing f the questioned print and that of the
standard print of the suspect by making comparison by placing them together and holding them
near a reflector or sidelight.
6. Pricking Method – make enlargement of the same size of the chance impression and the
suspect’s standard print. Place the standard print over the chance impression in the same
position. With the use of a needle prick the identical points to determine if they coincide with one
another.

IDENTICAL POINTS NECESSARY TO BE ADMITTED AS FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE IN

COURT
1. When there are more than 12 evident points and the impression is clear, the identification is
absolute.
2. When there are between 8 and 12 evident points, identification certainly depends upon:
- clearness of the type
- rarity of the type
3. Presence of the core and delta in the part of the part that is acceptable.

WHO IS AN EXPERT? - An expert is generally defined as any person who is skilled in specific
science, trade, or occupation. Because of this particular knowledge, the expert is qualified to
analyze or compare a stated set of facts and render an opinion based upon those facts. This
opinion is permitted because of the experts knowledge which the layperson generally does not
possess.

WHO IS A FINGERPRINT EXPERT? - A Fingerprint expert is a person who through

experience, training and education has a complete knowledge and skill in the science of
fingerprints, and if called upon by courts to testify, can externalize that knowledge and skill in a
forceful manner, yet convincing and intelligent manner.

What is Automated Fingerprint Identification System?

AFIS Automated Fingerprint Identification System - The Automated Fingerprint Identification
System (AFIS) is a biometric identification (ID) methodology that uses digital imaging technology
to obtain, store, and analyze fingerprint data.
Cross-checking these against other prints in police databases has the potential to link a series
of crimes together, or to place a suspect at the scene of a crime. INTERPOL runs an
international fingerprint database known as the automatic fingerprint identification system
(AFIS).

A.F.I.S. is a useful TOOL which can assist crime investigators in many areas, such as:

Identifying crime scene suspects

Identifying "liars" (Suspects who give officers a false name)
Identifying deceased parties
Identifying unknown parties (e.g. Alzheimer patients etc.)

Fingerprint images and fingerprint classification details including minutiae (major ridge
path deviation locations) are electronically stored in a computerized database.

A.F.I.S. Fingerprint Characteristics

* Pattern Type (based on Henry Classification System)

* Core (central area) and Delta (triradius area) distance
* Minutiae locations (at bifurcations, ridge endings, enclosures and short ridges.