Chapter 6: Fingerprints Flashcards
Who is responsible for introducing fingerprinting?
Francis Galton
Who devised the classification system used in most English-speaking countries?
Sir Edward Henry
Which case study deemed the Bertillion system not reliable anymore?
William West and Will West
What are the 3 basic principles underlying the use of fingerprints in criminal investigations?
- A fingerprint is an individual characteristic
- A fingerprint will remain unchanged
- Fingerprints have general ridge patterns
The individuality of a fingerprint is determined by…?
the careful study of its ridge characteristics, known as minutiae
How many minutiae are on the average finger?
150
What is the outer and inner layer of the skin called?
Epidermis – Outer layer
Dermis – Inner layer
what is the layers of cells between the epidermis and dermis called?
Dermal papillae
Are volar pads formed before or after brith?
Before
How do you receive the formation of your volar pads?
Inherited traits
What are the 3 classes of fingerprints?
Loops, arches and whorls
Describe a loop fingerprint?
A loop must have one or more ridges entering from one side of the print, recurving, and exiting from the same side
Ulnar loop vs. radial loop?
- If the loop opens toward the little finger, it is called an ulnar loop.
- If the loop opens toward the thumb, it is called a radial loop.
How many deltas do loops have, if any?
1 delta
How many deltas do whorls have?
Minimum of 2 deltas
What are the 4 types of whorls?
Plain, central pocket loop, double loop, and accidental.
How are arches identified?
Arches do NOT have type lines, deltas, or cores.
What are the 2 types of arches?
plain arches and tented arches
What is the four-step process to identify and individualize a finger print?
- Analysis
- Comparison
- Identify
- Verification
What is the Henry System of Classification based on?
The number of whorl patterns you have
According to the Henry System of Classification, what number are you assigned if you have a loop or arch?
zero
What are latent fingerprints?
Fingerprints that are invisible to the eye
What are the 2 types of visible prints?
- Visible prints
- Plastic prints
What are visible prints?
Made when fingers touch a surface after the ridges have been in contact with a coloured material e.g. blood, paint, grease, ink.
