Identification 1 Flashcards
Abutment
One ridge meeting another ridge at an angle that cannot be construed to be a
bifurcation.
Appendage
A non specific attachment to the outer edge of a recurving ridge above the shoulder.
Bifurcation
The point where one ridge divides into two ridges.
Bridge
A short ridge that goes between and connects two ridges. Also known as a crossover.
Carpal delta
Area of the palm containing a delta formation nearest the wrist.
Characteristic
Distinctive aspects within friction ridges used for analysis, comparison and
identification. Also called ‘Features’.
Core
Central area of the pattern that contains the inner terminus and the innermost
recurve.
Crossover
Two ridges that cross each other forming an ‘X” where they meet. (See also
‘Bridge’.)
Cuspal patterns
Rare genetic disorder where friction ridges in the fingerprint pattern area flow from
base to tip of the finger, and there is no defined pattern formation.
Delta
Triangular or triradii area of the pattern that contains the outer terminus and the type
lines.
Distal
The farthest area from the centre or point of attachment.
Dissociation
Formation of individual pore elements that fail to merge into continuous friction
ridges. Can cover the whole fingerprint but mostly localised in small portions.
Dot
The impression of the flesh surrounding one pore.
Dysplasia
Incomplete development of friction ridges, resulting in a patternless surface.
Enclosure
The area contained when a ridge divides into two ridges and then rejoins to form one
ridge again. Also called ‘a Lake’.
Focal Points
A group of specific features used to limit search parameters. Focal points may
include a delta, core, creases, scars, or the flow of friction ridge detail (as with a
recurve). Focal points may be used for searching but not necessarily be used in
arriving at a conclusion during the comparison process.
Hypothenar
Large cushion area of the palmar region at the base of the little finger.
Incipient Ridge
A ridge not fully formed. Not included in ridge counts. Have no sweat glands
(therefore no pores) present within structure. Also called ‘interpapillary lines’,
‘rudimentary ridges’ or ‘nascent ridges’.
Island
Short independent ridge the length of which must be at least twice its width.
Matrix
The substance that is deposited or removed by the friction ridge skin when making
an impression.
Medial
At or near the centre.
Open field
Ridge flow without distinctive appearance of random ridge feature characteristics i.e.
no ending ridges, bifurcations etc.
Palmar
The friction ridge skin area on the side and underside of the hand.
Pattern
Area contained within the continuation of the type lines for non-arch patterns.
Pattern vestige
Erratic local disarrangement of ridge direction.
Proximal
Nearest the point of attachment.
Radial
Refers to nearest area to the radius (smaller of two bones of the forearm).
Recurve
A ridge which turns and exits or tends to exit the pattern in the direction from which
it entered and is not spoilt by an appendage, spur, spike or bifurcation on its outer
edge above the shoulder. Also called ‘a staple’.
Ridge
A line or the impression of a line of raised skin found on the underside of the hands
or feet. For ridge counting the line should be twice the length of its width and the
width should be of approximately the same strength as those of the surrounding
ridges.
Ridge counts
The number of ridges that touch or cross a line drawn from the inner terminus to the
outer terminus.
Ridge Ending
The point where a ridge stops and is not attached to another ridge
Ridge Tracing
The tracing of ridge/ridges between the left-hand outer terminus and the right-hand
outer terminus of whorls.
Shoulder
The point of a ridge where it starts or ceases to recurve.
Spike / Spur
A short ridge abutted to or bifurcating from another ridge.
Thenar
Large cushion area of the palmar region at the base of the thumb.
Trifurcation
The point where one ridge divides into three ridges.
Type Lines
The two innermost ridges that start parallel in the delta area, diverge and surround, or
tend to surround, the pattern.
Ulnar
Refers to nearest area to the Ulnar (larger of two bones of the forearm).
White lines
Buckling of the skin, usually caused from aging use of skin, noticeable in medial
phalanges as vertical white lines, sometimes seen in distal pattern areas.
ABIS
The ABIS system (Automated Biometric Information System) is a significant
tool that helps us identify fingerprints. It is a computer-based information
system that encapsulates a process for storing fingerprints within a searchable
database.
Staple
A staple is a recurring ridge whose apex is not spoiled by an appendage, spur or
spike, abutting on its outer edge.
The shoulders of a staple recurve or loop are the points at which the recurring
ridge definitely turns inwards or recurves.
Divergence
The spreading apart of two lines that have been running parallel or nearly parallel.
Pattern area
The pattern area is the only part of a ridge skin impression that is involved in
classification.
A pattern area for a fingerprint is found in the distal area of the finger above the
first flexion crease. Although it is present in all patterns, in the fingerprint pattern
types of arches and tented arches it is difficult to define.
The pattern area is the part of the loop or whorl in which appears the inner
terminus (core), the outer terminus (delta) and the ridges that we are concerned
with classifying. The pattern area of loops and whorls is enclosed by typelines.
ANALYSIS
the process to determine the quality and quantity of detail present
and locating unique details contained within that print. This is testing a
hypothesis, where information or data (levels of detail present, clarity, tolerance,
distortion) are collected and interpreted.
COMPARISON
–The hypothesis is testing the process of comparing the unique
details contained within the unidentified fingerprint with a fingerprint from a
known source, including an arrest set of prints to form a conclusion.
EVALUATION
An evaluation of the information is undertaken, and you will
reach one of the following conclusions:
* Identification - the two fingerprints originated from the same source/person.
* Exclusion - the two fingerprints did not originate from the same source/person
* Inconclusive - there is insufficient clarity or detail in either the unidentified or
known print to reach either of the prior conclusion
* Unsuitable - the quality or clarity of information contained within the print is
so low as to render the print valueless.
VERIFICATION
each identification must be independently examined by two
other qualified Fingerprint Officers and only when all are in agreement is an
identification confirmed.
“Distal
Transverse Crease”
“top crease”
“Proximal Transverse Crease”
“middle crease”
“Radial Longitudinal
Crease”
“bottom crease”,
