FORENSIC 1

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES

Jayson Vanta RCrim, CSP, CST

NATURE OF FINGERPRINTS

 A FINGERPRINT is a composite of the ridge outlines which appears on the skin surface
of the bulbs on the inside of the end of joints of the fingers and thumbs.

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT AND CHRONOLOGY OF FINGERPRINTS

 In China, fingerprint is called “Hua Chi”. The value of fingerprints for purposes of
identification was found on a Chinese clay seal made not later than the 3rd century B.C.
 In England, Thomas Bewick, an English engraver, author, and naturalist engraved the
patterns of his own fingers on every wood-work he had finished to serve as his mark so
as to establish its genuineness.

1684 - Nehemiah Grew

 published a report which was read before the royal society of London, England. He
described the ridges and pores of the hands and feet.

1685 - G. Bidloo

 published a treaty describing sweat pores and ridges

1686- Profess Marcelo Malpighi,

 an Italian anatomist (GRANDFATHER OF DACTYLOSCOPY

 according to Dr. Edmond Locard – “Father of Poroscopy”), commented in his writings on
elevated ridges on the fingertips and alluded to diverse figures on palmar surfaces

1788- J.C.A. Mayer

 stated in his book (Anatomische Kupfertafein Nebst Dazu Geharigen) that although the
arrangement of the skin ridges is never duplicated in two persons, nevertheless, the
similarities are closer among some individuals

1823- Johannes Evangelist Purkinje,

 (FATHER OF DACTYLOCOSPY) a Czechoslovakian professor of anatomy at the

University of Breslau, published a thesis in Latin (Commentio de Examine Physiogico
Organi Visus Et systematis Cutansi – A Commentary of the Physiological Examination
System: Dec. 22, 1823, Breslau, Germany) describing the ridges, giving them names and
established certain rules for classification (nine groups). He involves vague
differentiation of fingerprints or uses them for identification.

1856- Herman Welcker

 took the prints of his own palm. In 1897, (41 years later) he printed the same palm
to prove that the prints do not change.

What are the historical events concerning Fingerprints as Method of Identification?

1858- Sir William J. Herschel

 (FATHER OF CHIROSCOPY), he used fingerprints in India to prevent fraudulent

collection of army pay account and for identification of other documents.

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  The first person Herschel printed appears to have been one RAJYADHAR KONAI.

1880- Dr. Henry Faulds,

 an English (Scottish) doctor stationed in Tokyo, Japan, wrote a letter to the English
publication, “NATURE” – “On the Skin Furrows of the Hand”, (Oct. 28, 1880) on the
practical use of fingerprints for the identification of criminals. He recommended the use
of a thin film of printers ink as a transfer medium and is generally used today.

1880- Sir Francis Galton

 a noted British anthropologist and a cousin of scientist Charles Darwin began

observation which led to the publication in 1882 of his book “Fingerprints.” Galton’s
studies established the individuality of classifying fingerprint patterns

1891- Juan Vucetich

 an Argentinean police official, installed fingerprints files as an official means of criminal

identification; based his system of the pattern typed by Sir Francis Galton;
 and he also claimed the first official criminal identification by means of fingerprints left
at the scene of crime.

In 1892, at La Piata, Argentina,

 a woman named Rojas who had murdered her two sons and had cut her own throat,
though not fatal, blamed the attack on a neighbor. Bloody fingerprints on a door post
were identified by Vucetich as those of the woman herself which led to her confession.

Fingerprints

 are distinctive ridge outlines appearing on the bulb on the inside of the end joint of the
fingers and thumb

Bulb of fingers

 Portion on the inside of the tips of the fingers and thumb in the first phalanx and from one
nail joint to the opposite

Dactylography

 Study of Fingerprint for the purpose of Identification

Dactyloscopy

 Is the science of identification by means of fingerprint

Important Person to Remember

HANS GROSS

 Australian Magistrate to described, “Search for Truth” as the ultimate goal of all
investigative work. “FATHER OF MODERN CRIMINALISTICS”

RICHARD EDWARD HENRY

 developed the Henry system classification at Scotland Yard which was accepted by
almost all English speaking country. Known as Father of Fingerprint.

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HERMAN WELCKER

 He took his own fingerprint twice with a lapse of 41 years, and show that ridges remain
the same.

PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINT

1. INDIVIDUALITY

 no two person have the same fingerprint

2. INFALLIBLE

 F.P. is a positive and reliable means of identification. It cannot be easily forged.

3. CONSTANCY AND PERMANENCY

 friction ridge once fully developed will remain the same throughout his life.

RELATED SCIENCE TO THE STUDY OF F.P.

1. CHIROSCOPY

 study of palm “Greek word Cheir = hand”

2. PODOSCOPY

 study of footprint “Greek word Podo= foot”

3. POROSCOPY

 study of pores “Greek word Poros = A Pare “

FRICTION SKIN

 epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and feet
covered with ridges and furrows

Also called papillary skin.

 Ridge – elevated or hill like structure/ black line with tiny white dots
 Furrow – depressed or canal like structure. The white space between ridges.
 Sweat Pores – tiny opening for the sweat
 Sweat Duct – passage way of sweat
 Sweat Glands – producer of sweat

DERMAL PAPPILLAE

 are irregular pegs composed of delicate connective tissue protruding and forming the
ridges of the skin on the fingers, palm, toes and sole of the feet.

RIDGE DESTRUCTION

 temporary for damage in the epidermis, permanent on the dermis layer.

 Rule: a depth of 1 mm will constitute permanent scar

ABNORMALITIES IN FINGER

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1. POLYDACTYL – more than regular number of finger
2. MACRODACTYL – enlarged finger
3. MICRODACTYL – reduced finger
4. ECTODACTYL – missing finger at birth
5. SYNDACTYL – side fussion of the finger
6. ANKYLOSIS – finger cannot be bend

RIDGE CHARACTERISTIC (GALTON’S DETAIL)

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. These ridges are considered in the classification of fingerprints if they appear as dark
and as thick as the surrounded ridges within the pattern area.

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. Incipient or Nascent Ridge – This is a kind of ridge which is madly formed, thin, short or
broken which appears in the depressions between two well formed ridges.

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 or Triradial Point – It a point on the first ridge formation at or directly in front or
near the center of the divergence of the type lines.

17. Envelop – Is a single recurving ridge enclosing one or more rods or bars.

18. Friction ridges – Are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs
by which fingerprints are made. They are also called papillary ridges or epidermal ridges.

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19. Furrows – Are depressions or canals between the ridges which maybe compared with the
low area in a tire tread.

20. Rod or Bar – is a single ending ridge at the center of a recurving ridge of a loop pattern.

21. Up thrust - Is an ending ridge of any length rising at a sufficient degree from a horizontal
place.

22. Dissociated ridges – are unusual ridge structures having no well -defined patterns; the ridges
are extremely short, appear like a series of “patches” caused by a disturbance of developmental
process at early fetal life of the individuals.

23. Shoulder of a loop – It is that point at which the recurving ridge definitely turns or curves.

24. Puckering – As growth ceases at several ends, the ends curl slightly.

25. Creases – Are thin, usually straight narrow white lines running transversely or formed side
to side, across the print, causing the puckering of the ridges.

26. Staple – Single recurving ridge at the center of the pattern area.

27. Spike – an ending ridge at the center of a pattern which forms the up thrust.

Ridge Characteristics

TWO FINGERPRINT TERMINUS

DELTA (Outer Terminus)

 First of the 2 focal points

 Point of bifurcation open towards the core
 Abrupt ending ridge
 Meeting of 2 ridges
 A dot
 Fragmentary ridge
 End of the ridge running between type lines

CORE (Inner Terminus)

 Second of the 2 focal points

 Approximate center of the fingerprint impression

Rules governing the choice between two or more possible Delta

a) A bifurcation may not be selected as a delta if it does not open towards the core
b) When there are two or more possible deltas, the one nearest the core be selected
c) When there are two or more possible deltas and one which is bifurcation, the bifurcation
should be selected
d) Delta may not be located on the middle of the ridge running between the type line
towards the core but at the end of that ridge
Terms to Remember

 AFIS – Automated Fingerprint Identification System

 Plantar – pertains to sole of the feet
 Palmar – pertaining to palm of the hand
 Ridge Characteristic – “Galton’s Detail” are those little points of details in the
formation of pattern in which are used in comparing to fingerprint in order to determine
its identity.

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  Delta – the word delta was of Greek origin, its literal meaning in English is a deposit of
earth of the mouth of the river.
REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

 An additional formula serves as reference in case of doubtful prints. Place at the bottom
of classification formula.

LATENT PRINT

 print found at the crime scene

VISIBLE LATENT PRINT

 readily visible to the naked eye

INVISIBLE LATENT PRINT

 generally made by sweat or perspiration that requires developing for visibility.

CHECKING

 verifying the rolled impression using the plain impression as guide reference.

BLOCKING OUT

 process of placing under each pattern the letter symbol representing their pattern
interpretation prior to the actual classification formula.

TYPES OF FINGERPRINT IMPRESSION

PLAIN IMPRESSION

 fingerprint impression is taken simultaneously pressing the finger to the card, used as
REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION

ROLLED IMPRESSION

 impression taken individually by rolling each finger from one side to the other side and
from the tip to the end of the first joint

PLEASE REMEMBER: thumb finger is rolled towards the body while all other finger are rolled
away from the body.

INSTRUMENT USED IN TAKING PRINT

INK SLAB

 metallic or glass plate where the ink is spread for purpose

INK ROLLER

 rubber made roller designed to spread the ink

FINGERPRINT INK
 ink used for taking f/p

FINGERPRINT CARD

 8x8 card for recording f/p

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CARD HOLDER

 usually a fixed card holder placed in a flat table designed to prevent the movement of the
card in the course of the taking of the fingerprint.

LATENT PRINT TRANSFER CARD

 used to preserved developed latent print

FINGERPRINT STRIP HOLDER

 use to hold card for post mortem fingerprint

RULES IN TAKING FINGERPRINT

1. Subject should be instructed to stand straight and relax facing the ink slab.
2. Subject hand should be completely dried.
3. In case of Split/Webbed thumb, it should be rolled together and be classified based
on :get the bigger one ; if the same size, get the inner one.

The Three Groups of Fingerprint

Fingerprint patterns are divided into three main groups consisting of: Arches, Loops and Whorls.
Approximately 5% percent of all fingerprints are Arches, 35% are Whorls and 60% are Loops

FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

1. ARCH (5%)

a. PLAIN ARCH

 a pattern in which the ridges flow from one side to the other side with a slight raise at the
center. (no delta and core)

b. TENTED ARCH (T)

 having an up thrust or an incomplete loop form

Three Types of Tented Arch

I. Tented with angle

 the type in the ridges at the center from a definite angle of at least ninety degrees, thus
resembling a tent.

II. Tented resembling a loop

 the type approaching the loop pattern and possessing two of the basic or essential
characteristics of the loop but lacking the third.

III. Tented with upthrust

 the type in which one or more ridges at the center from an upthrust

2. THE LOOP (60%)

ELEMENTS:

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  core
 Delta
 sufficient recurve

a. RADIAL LOOP

 A type of pattern in which the slanting ridge flows towards the thumb finger

b. ULNAR LOOP

 The slanting ridge flows towards the little finger

FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

 In the Loop pattern there are two focal points: The Core, or the center of the loop, and
the delta.
 The Delta is the area of the pattern where there is a triangulation or a dividing of the
ridges. When recording fingerprints, the delta and the area between the delta and the core
must be completely recorded.

3. WHORLS (35%)

a. PLAIN WHORL
b. CENTRAL POCKET LOOP
c. DOUBLE LOOP
d. ACCIDENTAL

a. Plain Whorl

Guidelines
 Must have 2 deltas
 Must have at least 1 ridge that makes a

complete circuit. It can be in the form of:

 A spiral
 An oval
 Other variety of a circle

An imaginary line is drawn between the 2 deltas and it touches any part of the spiral portion.

b. Central Pocket Loop Whorl

Guidelines

 Same as the plain whorl

EXCEPT:

 If an imaginary line is drawn between the 2 deltas, it does not touch any part of the spiral
portion.
 two deltas
 At least one obstruction ridge or recurving ridge at right angle

c. Double Loop Whorl

Guidelines

 It has 2 loops within 1 print.

 Therefore, it will have 2 cores and 2 deltas.

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  No ridge count
 Place the core at the nearest shoulder farthest from the delta.
d. ACCIDENTAL LOOP WHORL

Elements:
 Patters which a combination of two different types of pattern
 Two or more deltas and core
 It must be combination of two different pattern except plain arch

Note:

IN THE SCHEME OF THE CLASSIFICATION, YOU CAN MAKE THE ASSUMPTION

 THAT IF A PATTERN CONTAINS NO DELTA’S, THEN IT IS AN ARCH,

 IF IT CONTAINS ONLY ONE DELTA, IT WILL BE A LOOP
 AND IF IT CONTAINS TWO OR MORE DELTA IT IS ALWAYS A WHORL
 SPECIFICALLY, AN ACCIDENTAL WHORL IF IT HAS MORE THAN TWO
DELTA’S.

CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

1. PRIMARY
2. SECONDARY
3. SUB - SECONDARY
4. MAJOR
5. FINAL
6. KEY

1. PRIMARY DIVISION- The Henry—FBI Classification,

 Each finger is given a point value

Always represented by a numerical value assigned to whorl pattern depending to what finger
they appear. (both arch and loop have no value)

 Finger 1 & 2 RIGHT THUMB & RIGHT INDEX

 Finger 3 & 4 RIGHT MIDDLE & RIGHT RING
 Finger 5 & 6 RIGHT LITTLE & LEFT THUMB
 Finger 7 & 8 LEFT INDEX & LEFT MIDDLE
 Finger 9 & 10 LEFT RING & LEFT LITTLE

 The sum of the numerical value assigned to even number of finger represent the
numerator and the sum of the assigned value to odd number represent the denominator.
 plus the pre established 1/1 to complete the primary division or arbitrary count of one to
avoid the classification of 0 over 0, if no whorl pattern.
 Number of possible combination 1024

2. SECONDARY DIVISION
 Represented by capital and small letter combination based on the interpretation made
during the blocking.
 CAPITAL LETTER – derived only to those found in INDEX FINGER(A, T, U, R, W, C,
D, or X)
 SMALL LETTER – derived from the thumb, middle, ring and little fingers only. It only
includes the radial loop (r), plain arch (a) and tented arch (t)
 Indicates the types of pattern in the index finger of both hands.
 Numerator right hand
 Denominator left hand

3. SUB SECONDARY DIVISION

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  Derived by ridge counting of loop and ridge tracing of whorl found in the index, middle
and ring only. BOTH ARCH ARE ALWAYS (-)
 RIDGE COUNTING ( LOOP) - counting of ridges between delta and core of a loop.
 RIDGE TRACING ( WHORL ) – counting the ridges intervening between tracing ridge
and the right delta of whorl.
 Fingers involve= index, middle and ring of both hands

Loops ridge count Tracing for Whorl ( IMO)

I O
Index 1 to 9 10 or more
Middle 1 to 10 11 or more
Ring 1 to 13 14 or more

Ridge counting

 the process of counting the ridge cross by the line from delta to core.

Incipient Ridge

 ridge that is so thin or fine, not included as a ridge count.

RULES IN RIDGE TRACING

INNER WHORL

 when the tracing goes above or inside the right delta and there are three or more
intervening ridge.

OUTER WHORL

 when the tracing ridge goes below or outside the right delta and there are three or more
intervening ridge

MEETING WHORL

 when there are two or less intervening ridges either above or below.

RULES IN RIDGE COUNTING

 ISLAND, DOT, SHORT RIDGE, LONG RIDGE AND ABRUPT ENDING RIDGE = 1
RIDGE COUNT
 RIDGE ENCLOSURE, MEETING OF TWO RIDGE, BIFURCATING RIDGE THAT
CROSS IN THE OPENING OR AT THE CENTER OF BIFURCATION = 2 RIDGE
COUNT

4. MAJOR DIVISION
 Taken from thumb fingers only - Both Arch (-)
 WHORL – ridge tracing = inner, outer or meeting
 LOOP - ridge counting = small, medium, large
Table 1 Table 2
1-11 = S 1-17 = S
12-16 = M 18-22 = M
17 or more = L 23 or more = L

 Loops of both hands= ridge count of left thumbs governs the classification
 Either thumb missing= ridge count or tracing of opposite hand
 Both thumb missing= classified as Whorl meeting

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Remember First!

The number of ridges of LEFT THUMB must be considered in selecting formula to be used for
right thumb.
 (Use Table 1 if the Left Thumb has 16 or less ridge count)
 Use Table 2 if the Left thumb have more than 16 ridge count.

5. KEY DIVISION
 Ridge count of the first Loop appearing in the set of prints begin with the thumb but
excluding the little finger
 No Loops but Whorl= ridge count of the Whorl appearing in the right thumb

6. FINAL DIVISION
 DERIVED FROM THE LITTLE FINGERS ONLY = Both Arch (-)
 RADIAL/ULNAR = the usual process
 PLAIN OR CENTRAL POCKET LOOP WHORL – will be treated as ulnar loop
 DOUBLE LOOP WHORL – get the ridge count of the top loop
 ACCIDENTAL WHORL – get the least ridge count
 Ridge count of Loop ulnar or radial appearing in the right little finger
 No Loop in the right finger Loop in the left finger governs
 No Loops both hands= ridge whorl appear in the right hand
 Indicate a dash symbol if Arch appears
 Arches all fingers of both hands= key cannot be obtain
 Ridge count if Whorl appear both little finger

IF BOTH FINGER IS MISSING, PLAIN WHORL MEETING

IF ALL FINGERS ARE MISSING,
FPC = M 32 W MMM
M 32 W MMM

Methods of Developing Fingerprint

1. Dusting Method – most common and the simplest

2. Rolling Method – used in developing prints in paper done by simply rolling the paper
with powder spreading in its surface
3. Fuming Method – done by the use of fumes such as iodine and ammonium fumes
4. Silver Nitrate method – spraying 5% solution of silver nitrate to the surface of the
powder
5. Ninhydrin Method – one of the best method in developing prints in paper
6. Laser Method – modern method of tracing and developing prints.
7. Osborn Grid Method – consist of photographing the latent and inked print and making
photographic enlargement of each

THREE FORMS OF FINGERPRINTS

1. Visible print

 form of residue print, visible to naked eye, most frequent .Touching a surface after the
ridges have been in contact with a colored material (blood, paint…)

2. Plastic print

 made in soft material (putty, soap dust..)

3. Latent print

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  result of perspiration or oils present on ridges INVISIBLE NEED DEVELOPING
 can be more easily developed on smooth, nonporous surfaces

Latent Prints

 Latent fingerprints are those that are not visible to the naked eye. These prints consist of
the natural secretions of human skin and require development for them to become visible.
 Most secretions come from three glands:
 Eccrine—largely water with both inorganic (ammonia, chlorides, metal ions,
phosphates) and organic compounds (amino acids, lactic acids, urea, sugars).
Most important for fingerprints.
 Apocrine—secrete pheromones and other organic materials.
 Sebaceous—secrete fatty or greasy substances.

Developing Latent Prints

 Developing a print requires substances that interact with secretions that cause the print to
stand out against its background. It may be necessary to attempt more than one technique,
done in a particular order so as not to destroy the print.
 Powders—adhere to both water and fatty deposits. Choose a color to contrast the
background.
 Iodine—fumes react with oils and fats to produce a temporary yellow brown
reaction.

Fingerprint Powders

 Commercially available in a variety of colors and textures

 Lightly applied to nonabsorbent surfaces with camelhair brush will ADHERE TO
PERSPIRATION RESIDUES AND BODY OILS.
 Black, white and gray for photographing on surfaces- produce contrast.

Iodine Fingerprint

 iodine is a solid crystal that when heated, turns into a vapor without passing through a
liquid phase this transformation is called Sublimation.
 Suspect material is placed in an enclosed cabinet with iodine crystals Once heated, vapors
fill the chamber and combine with latent print to make it visible.
 Iodine prints are not permanent and begin to fade once fuming is stopped.

NECESSARY TO PHOTOGRAPH IMMEDIATELY

 Can be fixed with 1% solution of starch in water applied by spraying- this will turn blue
and last for several weeks or longer.

 Ninhydrin- reacts with amino acids to produce a purple color.

 Silver nitrate- reacts with chloride to form silver chloride, a material which turns gray
when exposed to light.
 Cyanoacrylate - “super glue” fumes react with water and other fingerprint constituents
to form a hard, whitish deposit.

In modern labs and criminal investigations, lasers and alternative light sources are used to view
latent fingerprints. These were first used by the FBI in 1978. Since lasers can damage the retina
of the eye, special precautions must be taken.

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