Chapter 6: Fingerprints

Question 1

Who is responsible for introducing fingerprinting?

Answer 1

Francis Galton

Question 2

Who devised the classification system used in most English-speaking countries?

Answer 2

Sir Edward Henry

Question 3

Which case study deemed the Bertillion system not reliable anymore?

Answer 3

William West and Will West

Question 4

What are the 3 basic principles underlying the use of fingerprints in criminal investigations?

Answer 4

1. A fingerprint is an individual characteristic
2. A fingerprint will remain unchanged
3. Fingerprints have general ridge patterns

Question 5

The individuality of a fingerprint is determined by…?

Answer 5

the careful study of its ridge characteristics, known as minutiae

Question 6

How many minutiae are on the average finger?

Answer 6

150

Question 7

What is the outer and inner layer of the skin called?

Answer 7

Epidermis – Outer layer
Dermis – Inner layer

Question 8

what is the layers of cells between the epidermis and dermis called?

Answer 8

Dermal papillae

Question 9

Are volar pads formed before or after brith?

Answer 9

Before

Question 10

How do you receive the formation of your volar pads?

Answer 10

Inherited traits

Question 11

What are the 3 classes of fingerprints?

Answer 11

Loops, arches and whorls

Question 12

Describe a loop fingerprint?

Answer 12

A loop must have one or more ridges entering from one side of the print, recurving, and exiting from the same side

Question 13

Ulnar loop vs. radial loop?

Answer 13

• 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.

Question 14

How many deltas do loops have, if any?

Answer 14

1 delta

Question 15

How many deltas do whorls have?

Answer 15

Minimum of 2 deltas

Question 16

What are the 4 types of whorls?

Answer 16

Plain, central pocket loop, double loop, and accidental.

Question 17

How are arches identified?

Answer 17

Arches do NOT have type lines, deltas, or cores.

Question 18

What are the 2 types of arches?

Answer 18

plain arches and tented arches

Question 19

What is the four-step process to identify and individualize a finger print?

Answer 19

1. Analysis
2. Comparison
3. Identify
4. Verification

Question 20

What is the Henry System of Classification based on?

Answer 20

The number of whorl patterns you have

Question 21

According to the Henry System of Classification, what number are you assigned if you have a loop or arch?

Answer 21

zero

Question 22

What are latent fingerprints?

Answer 22

Fingerprints that are invisible to the eye

Question 23

What are the 2 types of visible prints?

Answer 23

• Visible prints
• Plastic prints

Question 24

What are visible prints?

Answer 24

Made when fingers touch a surface after the ridges have been in contact with a coloured material e.g. blood, paint, grease, ink.

Question 25

What are plastic prints?

Answer 25

Plastic prints are ridge impressions left on a soft material, e.g. putty, wax, soap, dust.

Question 26

What does RUVIS stand for? (Hint: It aids in detecting latent fingerprints)

Answer 26

Reflected Ultraviolet Imaging System

Question 27

How to detect prints on non-porous vs. porous surfaces?

Answer 27

Non porous – Powder
Porous – Chemical