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Fingerprint Identification Flashcards

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1
Q

What are current applications of fingerprint identification unrelated to the criminal realm? (4)

A

Biometric security features for building clearance
Laptop fingerprint reader
Smartphone locking systems
Job clearances/checks

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2
Q

Define ridgeology.

A

The study of the uniqueness of the friction ridge structures and their use for personal identification.

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3
Q

Who was Sir William Herschel?

A

Promoted fingerprint use to prevent frauds and impersonation of contracts.
Credited with being the first European to recognize the value of friction ridge prints and to actually use them for identification purposes.
Conducted persistency tests

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4
Q

What are persistency tests?

A

Tests to show prints remain the same over time.

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5
Q

Who was Dr. Henry Faulds?

A

Commented about locating fingerprints at a crime scene and using them to apprehend the criminals responsible.
First to use fingerprints in criminal cases.

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6
Q

What did Alphonse Bertillon invent?

A

Bertillon System (Anthropometry)

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7
Q

What is the Bertillon System/Anthropometry?

A

A method of personal identification through a series of body measurements, typically including one print
Full face and profile photographs of perpetrator now commonly known as mugshots

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8
Q

What type of information was included in the Bertillon System?(6)

A

Head length and breadth
Finger and foot measurements
Eye and hair colour
Weight
Complexion
A single fingerprint

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9
Q

What were the flaws with the Bertillon System?

A

Characteristics being measured are dynamic and can change, therefore not 100% reliable.

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10
Q

Describe the case of the West Brothers in Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas.

A

William and Will West
1 twin was already incarcerated, the other was charged with a crime
Took Bertillon measurements and concluded he was already there

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11
Q

Who was Sir Francis Galton?

A

First person to define and name specific minutiae known as Galton Details

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12
Q

What was Sir Francis Galton responsible for?

A

Acceptance of the use of fingerprints for personal identification

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13
Q

What was the Troup committee?

A

A committee appointed under Charles Troup of the Home Office in England to look at two areas.

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14
Q

When was the Troup Committee established?

A

1893

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15
Q

What were the two areas to be looked at under the Troup Committee?

A

Current method for registering and identifying criminals in England (Bertillon)
The suggested system of identification by means of a record of fingerprints only (Galton)

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16
Q

What were the results of the Troup Committee?

A

Anthropometry and fingerprints were both considered to be effective means of identification, but fingerprints did not have an adequate classification system at the time.
Committee felt compelled to not implement one system over the other but to implement both.

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17
Q

What was the suggested system of the Troup Committee?

A

Five major anthropometric measurement to be taken for primary classification and fingerprints to be attached as an additional component to the classification system.

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18
Q

Who was Sir Edward Henry?

A

Learned of Troup Committee and in response developed a classification system for fingerprints (Henry Classification System)

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19
Q

Is the Henry Classification System still used?

A

Yes, but with modifications

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20
Q

What was the Belper Committee?

A

A new committee appointed to revisit registering and identifying of criminals in England

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21
Q

When was the Belper Committee established?

A

1900

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22
Q

What were the recommendations/findings of the Belper Committee?

A

Recommended that all criminal identification records be classified by the fingerprint system.
The Henry Classification System and the individualization of criminals by means of fingerprints became standard practice in England

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23
Q

What did Dr. Nehemiah Grew contribute to the science of fingerprints?

A

Described friction ridge skin in detail (ridges, furrows, pores)

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24
Q

What did Marcello Malpighi contribute to the science of fingerprints?

A

Described several layers of the epidermis

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25
What did Inez Whipple contribute to the science of fingerprints?
Provided insight to a possible evolutionary theory on the development of volar skin (ridges allow us to grasp)
26
What did Harris Hawthorne-Wilder contribute to the science of fingerprints?
Provided research supporting third level detail as permanent and highly discriminating
27
What did Harold Cummins contribute to the science of fingerprints?
Examined fetuses and described volar pad regression in conjunction with friction ridge formation.
28
What did Alfred Hale contribute to the science of fingerprints?
Examined cross sections of fetal skin and described the differential growth of friction ridge skin.
29
What are the four premises of friction ridge skin?
Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive form prior to birth (embryology) Friction ridges are persistent throughout life except for scarring, disease, or decomposition after death (Histology) Friction ridge paths and the details in the small area of the friction ridges are unique and never repeated Friction ridge patterns vary within limits therefore allowing for classification
30
At what time of embryological development are the hands paddle-like and volar pads can be seen?
6 weeks
31
At what time of embryological development do fingers separate?
8 weeks
32
At what time of embryological development are the digital pads distinct?
10 weeks
33
At what time of embryological development do friction ridges start to develop and volar pads start to regress?
12 weeks
34
What determines your fingerprint pattern?
Position of volar pad
35
What are the four factors that affect the growth of friction skin and regression?
Shape and size of volar pad Timing between regression of volar pads and onset of friction ridges Relative speed of the 3 developmental fronts Genetics/disease
36
What type of volar pad results in an ulnar loop?
Intermediate volar pad with steep radial side
37
What type of volar pad results in a whorl pattern?
High and narrow volar pad
38
What type of volar pad results in an arch pattern?
Low and broad
39
What type of volar pad results in a radial loop pattern?
Intermediate volar pad with steep ulnar side
40
What are the three developmental fronts?
First flexion Apex Tip of finger
41
What are the five friction skin attributes?
Assists in grip Provides traction to mitigate slippage Abundance of nerves Waste elimination through sweat glands Thick with layers to withstand daily gripping, lifting, touching, etc. otherwise would be painful due to nerve endings
42
What are the 6 characteristics of friction ridge skin?
Sweat glands only More sweat glands per square inch than other skin areas No hair Lack of pigmentation Each individual friction ridge unit has one sweat gland and one pore
43
What are the two layers of the skin?
Epidermis and dermis
44
How much thicker is the dermis than the epidermis?
15-40x thicker
45
How many layers of flat dead cells does the epidermis have?
15-20
46
What are the 5 layers of the epidermis?
Corneum/horny layer Lucidum/hyalin layer Granulusom/granular layer Spinosum/spinous layer Basale/basal layer
47
Describe the basal layer of the epidermis.
Cells created in this layer migrate up towards the top layer Cells typically flatten as they migrate through the layers Eventually once cells reach the top they slough off dead skin cells
48
How long is the cycle of basal cell generation take?
30 days
49
What layer of the epidermis is damaged in scarring?
Basal
50
Describe desmosomes.
The skin cells are connected through cell junctions called desmosomes Desmosomes release and reattach as needed during migration Surface cells are shed continuously as their junction point breaks down and there is always a new cell to replace it.
51
What is the significance of an injury that damages or penetrates the basal layer?
May destroy its ability to regenerate cells in that damaged area. Surrounding cells can regenerate, but the deformation will result in the formation of a scar on the surface.
52
What is the significance of an injury that damages only the top layers of the epidermis?
The skin will repair itself and friction ridge skin would gradually return to normal.
53
What is the significance of decomposition on friction ridges?
No new skin growth and skin is less stable, friction ridges simply degrade with the decomposition of the body.
54
What is dysplasia?
Normal cells undergo random abnormal changes May or may not be cancer
55
How common are loops?
65%
56
How common are whorls?
30%
57
How common are arches?
5%
58
Describe a loop
Pattern types in which the ridges flow in from one side, re-curve and flow out in the same direction. A core and a delta.
59
Describe a whorl.
Has at least one ridge in the middle making a complete circuit (spiral, oval or circle) A core and two deltas
60
Describe an arch.
Ridges enter on one side and flow out the other side. No core or deltas
61
What overall pattern is present in this image?
Loop
62
What overall pattern is present in this image?
Whorl
63
What overall pattern is present in this image?
Arch
64
What are the two sub-categories of loops?
Ulnar and radial
65
Describe an ulnar loop
Flow of ridges enter and exit towards little finger
66
Describe a radial loop
Flow of ridges enter and exit towards thumb
67
What is a?
Ridge ending
68
What is b?
Bifurcation
69
What is c?
Lake/enclosure
70
What is d?
Dot
71
What is e?
Island/short ridge
72
What is f?
Hook/spur
73
What is g?
Bridge
74
What is d?
Ridge crossing
75
What is j?
Opposed bifurcation
76
What type of detail is Galton details?
2nd level
77
What is 3rd level detail?
Size and shape of pores and angles
78
What specifically is looked at in 3rd level detail?
End shapes and angles Adjacent ridge formation Ridge width Pores
79
What are incipient ridges?
Ridges that did not fully develop
80
What causes incipient ridges?
Formation ceasing after 13 weeks
81
What causes creases/voids?
Result of pressure, environmental factors in utero
82
How does dysplasia appear?
Ridge units are present but do not fuse together, appears dotty.
83
What are the 5 principles of friction ridge uniqueness?
Relies on differential growth occurring at different times and speeds while being subject to both genetic and physical forces during fetal development Friction ridge skin is made up of individual ridge units All ridge units vary in shape, size, and alignment but grow in concert to cover entire surface area of volar pad Each ridge unit contains one sweat gland and a pore opening Pore openings are established at random, also enhancing the uniqueness of friction ridge skin.
84
Can identification be made using 1st level detail?
No. Only exclusions can occur/
85
Can identification be made using 2nd level detail?
Yes, as well as exclusions.
86
Can 3rd level detail lead to identification?
Identification and exclusion decisions can be supported at this level.
87
The opinion of individualization or identification is subjective, so how much is enough?
The identification of a fingerprint is established through the continuous agreement of friction ridge formations, in sequence having sufficient uniqueness (highly discriminating features) to individualize.

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