Crime Scene Forensics,LLC
Fingerprints
Fingerprints
BASIC FINGERPRINT PATTERNS:
There are three main fingerprint patterns:
1. Loop Patterns:
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
2. Whorl Patterns:
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
3. Arch Patterns:
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
CLASSIFICATION OF FINGERPRINTS
1. Although the patterns are used primarily to determine a Classification of the entire Fingerprint card, the patterns are also used for the individualization of a persons identity. 2. Classification of fingerprints provides for an orderly placing of fingerprint cards in a file .
Two methods of classifying fingerprints: 1. Henry Classification 2. NCIC Classification
|
ALL FINGERPRINTS ARE PERMANENT AND INDIVIDUALLY UNIQUE
- Fingerprints begin forming during the 12th week of gestation, and
barring surgical or accidental removal of the finger itself, will remain permanent for the life of the individual until the body decomposes after death.
- No two fingerprints are alike. No two fingerprints on the same hand are
alike. Even In the case of identical twins, no two fingerprints are alike. Each fingerprint is unique and can only belong to one person.
- Each fingerprint contains minutiae, or ridge characteristics. Fingerprints
are identified to individuals by examining and comparing the ridge characteristics of two different impressions to determine if these characteristics occupy the same relative area and position, and if their unit relationship to each other matches.
|
Type lines
-The two innermost ridges which start parallel, diverge, and
surround or tend to surround the pattern area.
-When there is a definite break in a type line, the ridge
immediately outside of it is considered as its continuation.
-The point on a ridge at or in front of and nearest the center of the
divergence of the type lines.
-The delta area is located as a triangular area where the ridges
radiate outward in three directions.
The fascinating
world of forensic
science...made
simple