T. Trimpe 2006 http://sciencespot.

net

FINGERPRINT PRINCIPLES
According to criminal investigators, fingerprints follow
3 fundamental principles:
A fingerprint is an individual characteristic; no two
people have been found with the exact same
fingerprint pattern.
A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the
life of an individual; however, the print itself may
change due to permanent scars and skin diseases.
Fingerprints have general characteristic ridge patterns
that allow them to be systematically identified.

Fingerprint Identification
When minutiae on two different prints match, these are called
points of similarity or points of identification. At this point there
is no international standard for the number of points of
identification required for a match between two fingerprints.
However, the United Kingdom requires a minimum sixteen
points while Australia requires twelve.

Automated Fingerprint Identification System

(AFIS)
AFIS is a computerized system capable of reading,
classifying, matching, and storing fingerprints for
criminal
justice
agencies. Quality
latent
fingerprints are entered into the AFIS for a search
for possible matches against the state maintained
databases for fingerprint records to help establish
the identity of unknown deceased persons or
suspects in a criminal case.
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CrimeLab/images/fingerrint%20comparison%20for%20afis.jpg

AFIS Video Link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKi1CKTRCQM

FINGERPRINT CLASSES
There are 3 specific classes for all fingerprints based
upon their visual pattern: arches, loops, and whorls.
Each group is divided into smaller groups
as seen in the lists below.
Arch
Plain arch
Tented arch

Loop
Radial Loop
Ulnar loop

Whorl
Plain whorl
Central pocket whorl
Double loop whorl
Accidentical

INTERESTING INFO
Fingerprint Factoid:
60% of people have loops, 35% have whorls,
and 5% have arches
Did you know?

Dactyloscopy is the study of fingerprint identification.

Police investigators are experts in collecting
dactylograms, otherwise known as fingerprints.

ARCHES
Arches are the simplest type of fingerprints that are formed by
ridges that enter on one side of the print and exit on the other. No
deltas are present.
Spike or tent

Plain Arch
Ridges enter on one side and
exit on the other side.

Tented Arches
Similar to the plain arch,
but has a spike in the center.

Left
Hand

LOOPS
Loops must have one delta and one or more
ridges that enter and leave on the same side.
These patterns are named for their
positions related to the radius and ulna
bones, i.e. the bone the loop opening is
facing towards.

Ulna

Delta

L Radial Loop
R - Ulnar Loop

L Ulnar Loop
R - Radial Loop

X-Ray Imagine: http://www.tooloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Radius-Ulna-X-Ray.jpg

Radius

WHORLS
Whorls have at least one ridge that makes (or tends to make) a
complete circuit. They also have at least two deltas. If a print has
more than two deltas, it is most likely an accidental.

Plain
Whorl

Central
Pocket
Whorl

Draw a line between the two deltas in the plain and central pocket
whorls. If some of the curved ridges touch the line, it is a plain
whorl. If none of the center core touches the line, it is a central
pocket whorl.

WHORLS PART 2
Double Loop Whorl

Accidental Whorl

Delta
Delta

Double loop whorls are

made up of any two loops
combined into one print.

Accidental whorls contain two

or
more
patterns
(not
including the plain arch), or
does not clearly fall under any
of the other categories.

IDENTIFY EACH FINGERPRINT PATTERN.

Right Hand

Left Hand

Right Hand
Right Hand

Left Hand

FIND THE SUSPECTUSING FINGERPRINTS

CRIME SCENE
In the crime scene:
A dead body found in apartment.
Male
Gun shot wound
Desk with coffee mug and backpack

YOUR JOB
In groups of 5, you will investigate the crime
scene
Document/record observations of the crime scene
in your notebook.
Lift a fingerprint

THE SPECIAL FINGERPRINT

Each team will take turns in the crime scene (to
document)
Each member of the team will hold the coffee mug
(placing fingerprints)- as evidence.
That means that one of the 5 is the suspect!
I (Ms. H), will choose one fingerprint from all of
them. (*I will wipe off other fingerprints and leave
one behind)
One member from the team will then lift fingerprint.

THE SPECIAL FINGERPRINT

How to lift a fingerprint:
1.Place the brush onto the powder.
2.Remove excess powder off the brush
3.Gently, in circular motion, begin brushing the surface
until you see a fingerprint (you do not want to overdo it,
and be rough about it. It will mess up the fingerprint.
Your evidence!)
4.Place a piece of tape over fingerprint and cut
5.Place tape/lifted fingerprint on the index card and
label as Suspect

ANALYZING THE FINGERPRINT

You will now compare the lifted fingerprint with
that of each member of your team.
Your job is to work as a team and identify a
suspect.
You will write down your observations and
present the facts to the court (class).
How????

RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS!

GET ALL FINGERPRINTS

With the pencil, like we had previously done, get
all your team members fingerprints.
Organize them all (by person, write name, label
right or left hand, etc.)
Be organized!
Keep it in Evidence Envelope

PROCESS OF ELIMINATION
Compare the suspects fingerprint with all of the fingerprints and
begin to eliminate.
Once your team decides which fingerprint is The One, take a picture
of it with a phone.

ASSIGNMENT
You will use PowerPoint
Add both images (Fingerprint collected in crime scene
and the fingerprint of the suspect) to PowerPoint
This will be done to MAGNIFY the fingerprints and have
side-to-side comparison
As a Forensic Scientist, you will identify as many Ridge
Characteristics as possible (using the chart provided as
a guide)

EXAMPLE:
Fork
Bridge
Core

POWERPOINT

Be creative!
I will help you as well!
Have fun! Make it fun!
Present your case and analysis to the class
Requires:
1. Title slide
2. Fingerprint lifted from crime scene
Arch, whorl, loop?

3. Fingerprint of Suspect
Arch, whorl, loop?

4. Side-to-Side Comparison
Include marked ridge characteristics like the example provided to
you previously
Include # of points of similarity (ex.: 12 points of similarity, 13
points etc.)

5. Conclusion
What do your results show?