Introduction

Fingerprint is considered as the most infallible means of identification

as it follows the principle individuality, that no two fingerprints have been
found exactly alike according to the Galton details with the ratio of 1: 64,
000,000,000; that it cannot be change and that it cannot afford to make
mistake and most reliable evidence of identification. It is the means used by
law enforcement officers in identifying criminal offenders through the
fingerprint impressions found at the crime scene. Long before its existence,
different methods of identification has been applied like the use of
anthropometry or the skeletal identification system by Alphonse Bertillion,
scarring, tattoing and etc.

Unit Objective
Apply knowledge and skills in fingerprint identification for the
investigation and detection of crimes.

CHAPTER 1
Objectives:
Identify the different types of fingerprint
Identify the different ridge characteristics
Compare two fingerprint impressions and determine whether it is
identical or similar

LESSON CONTENT

FINGERPRINTS PATTERNS
3 GENERAL GROUPS OF FINGERPRINTS PATTERNS:

ARCH-5% LOOPS-60% WHORL-35%

STANDARDS OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

Definitions and Requisites/Elements

ARCHES (2 TYPES)

Plain arch- this is a pattern in which the ridges enter on one side of the
pattern then flow towards the other side, with a rise at the center.
Tented arch- this is a type of a pattern where majority of the ridges form an
arch and one or more ridge at the center shape a tent in outline giving an
angle of 90 degrees or less, or one with an upward trust having an angle of
45 degrees or more, or a pattern similar to a loop but lacking one or two of
its essential elements.
Loop – this a pattern in which one or more of the ridges enter on either side
of the impression, then turn around (recurved) passing or touching the
imaginary line drawn between the delta and core, then flow towards the
other side from whence the ridges entered.
Two divisions of loop

Radial loop – when the downward slope or slanting of the ridges is towards
the direction of the thumb finger.
Ulnar loop – ridges flow towards the direction of the little finger.

Radius bone – thumb side

Ulna bone – little finger side

To differentiate ulnar and radial loop, one must know from what hand
such impression is taken.

III. THE WHORL FAMILY

Plain whorl – this is a pattern consisting of two deltas and at least one ridge
make a turn through one complete circuit. An imaginary line drawn between
two deltas must touch or cross at least on of the circuiting ridges with in the
pattern area. The pattern could be a spiral, oval, circular or any variant of a
circle.

Central pocket loop whorl – this is a pattern consisting two deltas, with
one or more ridges forming a complete circuit which may be oval, spiral,
circular of any variant of a circle, between which an imaginary line would
touch or cross no circuiting ridge within the inner pattern area.; or it is a
pattern consisting of two deltas, with one or more of the ridges with an
obstruction at right angle to the inner line of flow.

Based on the definition, it presents two kinds of central pocket loop

whorl patterns. One pattern purely consist of whorl type ridges as in the case
of plain whorl and the other forms a small pattern area wherein an imaginary
line drawn from the inner delta towards the top center recurve, intersects
the obstruction ridge at right angle to form a pocket.

Double loop whorl – this is a pattern consisting two separate and distinct
loop formations, two sets of shoulders and two deltas. The loops not
necessarily to have of the same size and length. The loops of the double loop
whorl not necessarily to possess the requirements of a plain loop. It is
enough that the elements mentioned herein are found in such pattern.

Types of core formation which are not included in the double loop whorl.
the “S” type core
the interlocking type core
the formation of loop inside another loop
Accidental whorl – this is a pattern consisting of a combination of two
deferent types of patterns such as loop and whorl type, or any combination
of two different loop and whorl type pattern or a loop and tented arch, but it
can not be a combination of a plain arch with any other pattern. Unlike the
other whorl type patterns, an accidental whorl can have two or more deltas.
An accidental whorl is a pattern whose design is peculiar because of
the irregularity of the ridge formation. The word accidental does not mean
that an accident has occurred to a particular finger. Natural ridge formation
of this pattern accounts for its name just like the rest of the patterns
belonging to the whorl family.

TYPES OF RIDGE FORMATION

1. Recurving ridge – is a ridge that curves back in the direction in which it
started.
2. Converging Ridges – Two or more lines forming an angle, a ridge whose
closed end is angular and serves as a point of convergence.
3. Diverging ridges – Two ridges running side by side and suddenly
separating, one ridge going one way and the other ridge, another way.
4. Bifurcating ridges – A single ridge which splits into two ridges forming a
“Y” shape formation or structure.
5. 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.
6. Dot or Series of Dots – They are fragmentary ridges formed like a dot or
dots.
7. Short or Series of Short Ridges – they are fragmentary ridges formed by
short or series of short ridges.
8. Ridge Ending - It is a termination or ending of ridge or ridges.
9. Fragmentary Ridges – They consist of disconnected sequences of short
ridges embodied intensely.
10. Ridge Hook – It is a ridge that divides to form two ridges which are
shorter in length than the main ridge.
11. Ridge Bridge – This is a connecting ridge between two ridges.
12. Envelop – Is a single recurving ridge enclosing one or more rods or bars.
13. Sufficient Recurve – The space between shoulders of a loop, free of any
appendage, and a butting at right angle.
14. Appendage – A short ridge at the top or summit of a recurve usually at
right angle.
15. Core – It is a point on a ridge formation usually located at the center or
heart of a pattern.
16. Delta – It a point on the first ridge formation at or directly in front or near
the center of the divergence of the type lines.

POSITION OF RIDGE CHARATERISTICS

There are “two elements enter into proof of identity of fingerprint, namely,(1)
Characteristics, frequently called points, and (2) Position of Characteristics.
To determine whether the latent recovered from the crime scene belongs to
the subject, it will be compared with a standard fingerprints. The standard
fingerprint may be taken from the subject himself if he is under police
custody, from the suspect’s known inked impressions in police custody file.
Or from any agency in which the subject has inked fingerprint impression.
The identification of both impressions depends upon the ridge characteristics
and the positions of the points in each pattern.

IDENTICAL AND SIMILAR FINGERPRINTS

The terms identical and similar are not of the same meaning as used in
fingerprint identification. Two or more patterns are said to be similar if they
are of the same type and have the same looping ridges, but they have
different ridge characteristics. Whereas. Identical fingerprint refer to two or
more fingerprints, which are absolutely in complete agreement in all details;
they are exactly the same in all aspects.
To be identical, two fingerprints must have ridges alike, the same number of
ridges, the ridges must correspond in every detail, they must be of the same
kind, in the same position, and with the same relationship to one another
with respect to position.
Fingerprints experts or technicians will base their testimony in courts on
identical fingerprints not on the similarity of patterns.

TWELVE POINTS IN THE FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE

If the evidence is preserve for court presentation, “twelve identical points”
having the same relative positions be pointed out for sufficiency of proof of
positive identification. Most experts satisfy themselves with eight or even six
points of identity. In the Philippines, from eight to twelve identical points are
considered sufficient. In the United States, two criminal cases featured fewer
than eight identical points; Breeding vs. US; only five ridge characteristics; in
Commonwealth vs. Walker the expert testify that he found four identical
points. In both cases the court accepted the fewer identical points in
evidence.

Required Number of Congruent Ridge Details to Establish

Admissibility
Philippines – 8 -12
USA – 12-14
UK – 14-16

LEARNING TASK 1

Name:_________________________________________ Date:________________
Section:________________________________________ Rating:______________
Objective: Identify the different ridge characteristics
Instructions:
A. Illustrate below at least ten (10) ridge
characteristics/formations.

B. Identify what type of ridge formations are given below.

LEARNING TASK 2
Objective: Identify the different types of fingerprint
Instruction:
A. Illustrate on the box the type of the fingerprint pattern
given below
 B. Identify the type of pattern given on the illustrations.
A.

Plain Whorl Ulnar Loop-

Right Hand

Plain Arch Central Pocket loop

whorl

B.

________________________ _______________________ ________________________

Learning Tasks No.3

Objective: Compare two fingerprint impressions and determine whether it is
identical or similar

Instruction: Compare the two prints, locate the points of congruency and establish whether they are
identical or similar.

By: XYRIN C. MONEZA