Fingerprints

Crime Scene Forensics, LLC

		Fingerprints

BASIC FINGERPRINT PATTERNS:

There are three main fingerprint 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

   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

Classification of fingerprints provides for an orderly placing of fingerprint cards in a file

Classification of fingerprints involves giving each recorded fingerprint on a ten print fingerprint card a proper
classification with a corresponding sub-classification or ridge count, and then using those classifications for each print
in a classification formula.

    There are two generally accepted methods of classifying fingerprints:
             1. Henry Classification
             2. NCIC Classification

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.

Fingerprint Identification has been used as a means of positive identification for over one hundred years.

No two fingerprints have ever been found to be the same. No two fingerprints on the same hand have ever been found
to be the same. Identical, mono zygotic twins will have twenty different fingerprints, between the two twins. Each
fingerprint is unique and can only belong to one person.

Everyday, millions of new fingerprints are entered into a nationwide automated computer system, and searched against
hundreds of millions of fingerprints that are already contained in that system. During all of these searches, no two
fingerprints have ever been found to be the same

The standing scientific theory or principle, is that no two separate fingerprint's have ever been found to be the same...
This theory is tested everyday, and has never been disproved.

Each fingerprint contains minutiae, or ridge characteristics. Fingerprints are identified to individuals by examining and
comparing the ridge characteristics of two different fingerprint impressions to determine if these characteristics occupy
the same relative area and position, and if their unit relationship to each other is in agreement.

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.

DELTA:

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.

Click here for Glossary of Fingerprint Terms

Click here for a history of fingerprints

Loop

Whorl

Arch

Crime Scene Forensics, LLC has over twenty-five years of experience in the field of fingerprint identification. Our services
include matters related to fingerprint identification, reviewing and verifying fingerprint and palm print identifications, and
expert witness testimony.