This document discusses fingerprint classification and provides details on fingerprint patterns including loops, whorls, arches and their variations. It explains the fingerprint classification formula which uses values assigned to fingerprint patterns on each finger to determine the primary, secondary, sub-secondary and final classifications. These classifications allow fingerprints to be systematically categorized and identified.

1. Crimtic 1

2. Problem in taking Inked Fingerprints
1. Visible- prints made through the medium of ink, paint
blood or any colored ingredients easily seen by naked eye.
2. Semi-Visible –prints made through the medium of sweat
or dust seen more likely in glass, porcelain and smooth
woods simply transparent on surface of that objects.
3. Invisible – prints which are hidden or cannot be easily
seen by the naked eye.
4. Smudge – prints that are indistinct caused by moving or
sliding of the fingers at the time they are impressed.
5. Fragmentary – prints that show only a portion of the
pattern type or of the friction skin.
6. Burn – a burn severe enough to leave a scar will change
the appearance of the skin and totally destroys the ridges.

3. The Latent Impressions
Latent Fingerprint
Chance impressions, or what is more commonly
known as latent fingerprints, are the oftentimes
invisible patterns made by fingerprints that are
usually left at crime investigations or on objects
recovered from crime scenes, and forensically
analyzed by latent fingerprint experts with the
application of chemical or physical methods.

4. Methods of developing Latent prints
The identification of latent print evidence is often key in
solving a crime. A latent print results from the reproduction of
friction ridges found on parts of the fingers, hands, and feet.
These prints consist of a combination of different chemicals
that originate from natural secretions, blood, and
contaminants. Natural secretions mainly derive from the
eccrine and sebaceous glands and contain known chemical
components. Eccrine gland secretions from the fingers, hands,
and feet are both organic and inorganic, but only organic
materials are secreted from the sebaceous glands. Other
contaminants found in prints result from contact with
different materials in the environment. Latent prints can be
found on all types of surfaces. In general, surfaces can be
characterized as porous, nonporous, or semiporous.
Understanding these characteristics will aid in processing an
item for latent prints.

12. Preparation of Fingerprint chart for
court testimony

23. The Historical Development of
the Fingerprint system

28. Nature and Importance of
Fingerprints
Fingerprints are one of the most important
things that link a suspect with a crime scene.
Even though that fingerprints are not always left
by a criminal, the crime scene should still be
examined for them. All people have distinct
friction ridges on the skin of the fingers. In
leaving an impression, an outline of the ridges is
transferred and duplicated by oil, sweat and
other substances on the object handled.

29. 1. Principle of constancy- a person’s fingerprint
will not change during his lifetime.
2. Principle of variation- no two points of
different persons nor the neighboring fingers
of the same person has ever been found to
be identical in all respects.
3. Principle of infallibility- forged fingerprints
can be distinguished from genuine
fingerprints.

30. Footwear Impression
• Shoe impressions or footprint impression evidence can be used to connect a
culprit to the crime. In crime scene evidence collection, there are three general
types of shoe impressions:
• Footwear outsole impressions refer to a print or trace caused by a piece of
footwear pressing against an object.
• Footwear insole impressions are imprints of a person's foot left inside a footwear.
• Footwear trace evidence includes fibers, body hair, skin, soil and bodily fluids. The
traces are helpful in linking to a person through DNA or a location.
• If a shoe impression does not bear any unique mark or pattern, it is considered
only as class evidence (evidence that cannot pinpoint a specific person). But if the
forensic footwear evidence bears a shoe defect or if it reveals a pattern of walking
that can be linked to a person, then its presentation in court will have bearing on
the case. To detect latent footwear impression, a crime scene specialist uses
artificial light sources. Footwear impressions are recovered via adhesive lifters or
gelatin lifters to get a two-dimensional form, or a plastic cast to get a three-
dimensional form.

31. Tire Impression
• Tire impression evidence is of course, used to point to the culprit's vehicle.
Uniqueness by way of defects, skidding pattern, tire patching traces or uneven
wear must first be established before the court dismisses the tire track
evidence as class evidence. No used tires are alike thanks to amounts of
thread wear, and the tire thread pattern are what crime scene investigators
are paying attention to when they analyze this particular evidence.

32. Bite Mark
• A crime scene investigator must have a keen eye for detecting a bite
mark on a dead body. Upon concluding that a bite mark has been
impressed on the body, a forensic dentist will be called to measure and
record the bite mark. This must be done immediately as bite marks
loses its original impression over time. When the dentist confirms that
it is a human bite, it will be swabbed for DNA. The serial killer, Ted
Bundy, who confessed to 30 murders, was linked to two of his murders
by bite mark evidence. When done right, the recording and analysis of
a bite mark on a victim can provide a great deal of evidence in legal
proceedings.

33. Tool Mark
• Tool Marks are defined in forensic science as impressions produced by
an instrument on a surface. Crime scene investigators determine the
nature of the tool by the indentation it leaves on the surface. Tool
marks can be categorized as abrasion for friction type marks or
negative impression for stamping type marks, some tool marks fall
under both categories. Again, the forensics department should
establish the uniqueness of the tool mark and link it to a particular tool
and matched to the owner before it becomes an acceptable piece of
evidence

34. Methods of producing Impressions
• The conventional method of producing
fingerprints by total internal reflection using a
right-angle prism does not give true size images.
In this case an anamorphic real image is formed
by the Scheimpflug condition with keystone
distortion. A method of combining a single prism
with the right-angle prism for anamorphic
stretching to get the correct fingerprint image is
described. The method of constructing such a
type of an optical system is discussed in detail.
The method is useful to directly obtain the
correct fingerprints using a CCD camera.

35. The types of Patterns and their
Interpretation

36. In a Loop pattern, the ridges will flow in one side, recurve, (loop
around) touch or pass through an imaginary line drawn from the
delta to the core, and exit the pattern on the same side as it entered.
*A loop pattern has only one delta.
*There are two types of loop patterns:
1. Ulnar loop
2. Radial loop
*Loop patterns account for @ 70% of all fingerprints

37. A whorl pattern consists of a series of almost concentric
circles.
* A whorl pattern has two deltas
*There are four types of whorl patterns:
1. Plain whorl,
2. Central Pocket Loop whorl,
3. Double Loop whorl,
4. Accidental whorl
*Whorl patterns account for @ 25% of fingerprints

38. In an arch pattern, ridges flow in one side and flow
out the
opposite side. There are no deltas in an arch
pattern.
*There are two types of arch patterns:
1. Plain arch,
2. Tented arch
Arch pattern account for @ 5% of all fingerprints

39. The Fingerprint Classification Formula
• Primary Classification
Each finger has a definite numerical value when a whorl
type pattern is present. The total of these values make up
the Primary.
The numerator is made up of the total sum of the values
present in the even numbered fingers (2, 4, 6, 8, 10) plus
one.
The denominator is made up of the total sum of the values
present in the odd numbered fingers (1, 3, 5, 7, 9) plus one.

40. • Secondary Classification
The Secondary is composed of the pattern types present in the index fingers (2 and 7).
The number two finger is used as the numerator and the number seven finger is used as
the denominator.
The Secondary is brought up to the classification line to the right of the primary.
Small Letter Group
Prints with an arch (a), tented arch (t) or radial loop (r) in any finger except the index
fingers constitute the Small Letter Group of the secondary classification. Small letters
consist of a, t, and r only.
Small letters are brought up to the classification in their respective relative positions to the
index finger (2 and 7) when appearing in fingers 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10.
All small letters must be indicated in the classification formula.
Dashes are used in the classification formula to indicate an ulnar loop or a whorl
intervening between the index finger and the first small letter, or between two small
letters.
When 2 or more small letter patterns of the same type appears together, they are indicated
as: 2a, 3a, 2t, 3t, 2r, or 3r.

41. • Sub-secondary Classification
The Sub-secondary is taken from fingers 2, 3, 4 (numerator), and 7,
8, 9 (denominator).
The Sub-secondary is brought up to the classification line to the
right of the secondary.
Definite values are assigned to the ridge counts in these fingers.
Whorl tracings are brought up as part of the Sub-secondary.
A small letter to the right of the index finger eliminates the Sub-
secondary, with some exceptions.

42. • Final Classification
The Final is brought up to the right of the sub-secondary.
The Final is taken from number five finger if number five is a loop, either
ulnar or radial. If number five is not a loop, the Final is taken from the
number ten finger. If neither five nor ten is a loop, there is no Final, with
some exceptions.
If the Final is taken from number five finger, it is brought up above the
classification line. If the Final is taken from the number ten finger, it is
brought up below the line.
If whorls are present in all fingers, the whorl in number five finger is
counted and brought up as a Final. When counting whorls, always count
as if they were ulnar loops. A whorl in the right hand is counted from left
delta to core. In the left hand, count from right delta to core. When
counting double loops a horizontal double loop is counted from the left
delta to the nearest core. A vertical double loop is counted from the left
delta to the upright loop. More than two cores, count from deltas, to
core least number of ridges distant.

43. • Major Classification
The Major is taken from the thumbs.
The Major is brought up to the classification line to the left of the
primary.
Number six finger has only one set of values as a loop; it is always
constant.
Number one finger has two sets of values as a loop.
Number six finger is used as the denominator. Number one finger
is used as the numerator.
In a combination of loop and whorl, the first set of values is always
used for the number one finger.
If whorls are present in both thumbs, the tracings are used.
A small letter (a, t, r) present in either or both thumbs eliminates
the Major.

44. • Key Classification
The Key is brought up to the classification line to
the left of the major.
The Key is taken from the ridge count of the first
loop appearing in the classification other than
fingers five and ten. Either ulnar or radial loop
may be used for the Key.
The Key is always brought up above the
classification line, regardless of the finger used.
If there are no loops present there is no Key.

45. Devices and Materials in
Recording Prints
• Alternate Light Source (ALS): It is becoming more
commonplace for investigators to examine any likely
surfaces (doors, doorknobs, windows, railings, etc.)
with an alternate light source. These are laser or LED
devices that emit a particular wavelength, or spectrum,
of light. Some devices have different filters to provide a
variety of spectra that can be photographed or further
processed with powders or dye stains. For example,
investigators may use a blue light with an orange filter
to find latent prints on desks, chairs, computer
equipment or other objects at the scene of a break-in.

46. Using a fluorescent dye stain and an orange alternate
light source helps this latent print appear clearly so that
it can be documented. (Courtesy of Scott Campbell, Ron
Smith & Associates)

47. • Cyanoacrylate: Investigators often perform
cyanoacrylate (superglue) processing, or
fuming, of a surface before applying powders
or dye stains. This process, typically
performed on non-porous surfaces, involves
exposing the object to cyanoacrylate vapors.
The vapors (fumes) will adhere to any prints
present on the object allowing them to be
viewed with oblique ambient light or a white
light source.

48. Use of various alternate light sources may help
enhance the appearance of a fingerprint. (Courtesy
of Scott Campbell, Ron Smith & Associates)

49. • A chamber specially designed for exposing
latent prints to super glue fumes. (Courtesy of
Scott Campbell, Ron Smith & Associates)

50. • Super glue fumes adhere to latent fingerprints
on the neck of a glass bottle. (Courtesy of
Scott Campbell, Ron Smith & Associates)

51. • Chemical Developers: Porous surfaces such as paper are
typically processed with chemicals, including ninhydrin and
physical developer, to reveal latent fingerprints. These
chemicals react with specific components of latent print
residue, such as amino acids and inorganic salts. Ninhydrin
causes prints to turn a purple color, which makes them
easily photographed. DFO (1,2-diazafluoren-9-one) is
another chemical used to locate latent fingerprints on
porous surfaces; it causes fingerprints to fluoresce, or glow,
when they are illuminated by blue-green light.

52. How to take Inked Fingerprints
• The person taking fingerprints should stand to
the left of the subject when printing the right
hand, and to the right of the subject when
printing the left hand. To obtain “plain”
impressions, all the fingers should be pressed
lightly upon the inking plate, and then pressed
simultaneously upon the lower portion of the
card without rolling the finger.
• The equipment required for taking fingerprints
consists of an inking plate, a cardholder, printer’s
ink(heavy black paste), and a roller.

53. • The fingerprints should be taken on 8 x 8-inch
cardstock, with 10 boxes at upper portion where
rolled impressions are made, while plain
impressions are made at the lower portion.
• In preparing to take a set of fingerprints, a small
daub of ink should be placed on the taking glass
or slab and thoroughly rolled until very thin; even
film covers the entire surface. The subject should
stand in front of the table and at forearm’s length
from the inking plate.

54. Anthropometry
(from Greek ἄνθρωπος anthropos, "human",
and μέτρον metron, "measure") refers to the measurement of
the human individual. An early tool of physical anthropology,
it has been used for identification, for the purposes of
understanding human physical variation,
in paleoanthropology and in various attempts to correlate
physical with racial and psychological traits. Anthropometry
involves the systematic measurement of the physical
properties of the human body, primarily dimensional
descriptors of body size and shape.[1]Alphonse Bertillon
(1853–1914) is considered to be the father of anthropometry
because of his many contributions to the field, including what
we know today as the “mug shot.”

55. Dental Identification
• Forensic dentistry or forensic odontology is the
application of dental knowledge to those criminal
and civil laws that are enforced by police agencies
in a criminal justice system. Forensic dentists are
involved in assisting investigative agencies to
identify recovered human remains in addition to
the identification of whole or fragmented bodies;
forensic dentists may also be asked to assist in
determining age, race, occupation, previous
dental history and socioeconomic status of
unidentified human beings

56. Forensic Serology
• This refers to the scientific analysis of blood
and other bodily fluids as evidence during the
conduct of a criminal investigation.

57. What is the DNA?
• DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the hereditary material in humans
and almost all other organisms. Nearly every cell in a person’s body
has the same DNA. Most DNA is located in the cell nucleus (where it
is called nuclear DNA), but a small amount of DNA can also be
found in the mitochondria (where it is called mitochondrial DNA or
mtDNA).
• The information in DNA is stored as a code made up of four
chemical bases: adenine (A), guanine (G), cytosine (C), and thymine
(T). Human DNA consists of about 3 billion bases, and more than 99
percent of those bases are the same in all people. The order, or
sequence, of these bases determines the information available for
building and maintaining an organism, similar to the way in which
letters of the alphabet appear in a certain order to form words and
sentences.

58. • DNA bases pair up with each other, A with T and C with G, to form
units called base pairs. Each base is also attached to a sugar
molecule and a phosphate molecule. Together, a base, sugar, and
phosphate are called a nucleotide. Nucleotides are arranged in two
long strands that form a spiral called a double helix. The structure
of the double helix is somewhat like a ladder, with the base pairs
forming the ladder’s rungs and the sugar and phosphate molecules
forming the vertical sidepieces of the ladder.
• An important property of DNA is that it can replicate, or make
copies of itself. Each strand of DNA in the double helix can serve as
a pattern for duplicating the sequence of bases. This is critical when
cells divide because each new cell needs to have an exact copy of
the DNA present in the old cell

59. THE END.