Fingerprints

1. Fingerprints Coach Whitaker

2. Vocabulary • Fingerprint—an imprint made by ridge patterns on the tip of a finger • Arch—least common and simplest fingerprint pattern. All ridges enter one side and exit the other • Whorl—fingerprint pattern with at least two deltas and a core • Loop—fingerprint pattern with one or more ridges entering from one side, curving, then going out from the same side entered

3. Vocabulary • Ridgeology-the study of the uniqueness of friction ridge structures and their use for personal identification • Latent prints—are impressions left by friction ridge skin on a surface, such as a tool handle, glass, door, etc • Ninhydrin—a chemical that bonds with the amino acids in fingerprints and will produce a blue or purple color • Cyanoacrylate—fuming method (often called the super glue method) is a procedure that is used to develop latent fingerprints on a variety of objects.

4. Fingerprint Video • History Video

5. Fingerprint Principles According to criminal investigators, fingerprints follow 3 fundamental principles: A fingerprint is an individual characteristic; no two people have been found with the exact same fingerprint pattern. A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the life of an individual; however, the print itself may change due to permanent scars and skin diseases. Fingerprints have general characteristic ridge patterns that allow them to be systematically identified.

6. Fingerprint Classes There are 3 specific classes for all fingerprints based upon their visual pattern: arches, loops, and whorls. Each group is divided into smaller groups as seen in the lists below. Arch Plain arch Tented arch Loop Radial Loop Ulnar loop Whorl Plain whorl Central pocket whorl Double loop whorl Accidentical

7. Interesting Info Did you know? Dactyloscopy is the study of fingerprint identification. Police investigators are experts in collecting “dactylograms”, otherwise known as fingerprints. ADD TO NOTES Fingerprint Factoid: 60% of people have loops, 35% have whorls, and 5% have arches

8. Arches Spike or “tent” Plain Arch Ridges enter on one side and exit on the other side. Tented Arches Similar to the plain arch, but has a spike in the center. Arches are the simplest type of fingerprints that are formed by ridges that enter on one side of the print and exit on the other. No deltas are present.

9. Loops Loops must have one delta and one or more ridges that enter and leave on the same side. These patterns are named for their positions related to the radius and ulna bones. Delta Ulnar Loop (Right Thumb) Loop opens toward right or the ulna bone. Radial Loop (Right Thumb) Loop opens toward the left or the radial bone. NOTE: On the left hand, a loop that opens to the left would be an ulnar loop, while one that opens to the right would be a radial loop.

10. Whorls Whorls have at least one ridge that makes (or tends to make) a complete circuit. They also have at least two deltas. If a print has more than two deltas, it is most likely an accidental. Central Pocket Whorl Plain Whorl Draw a line between the two deltas in the plain and central pocket whorls. If some of the curved ridges touch the line, it is a plain whorl. If none of the center core touches the line, it is a central pocket whorl.

11. Whorls – Part 2 Double Loop Whorl Accidental Whorl Double loop whorls are made up of any two loops combined into one print. Accidental whorls contain two or more patterns (not including the plain arch), or does not clearly fall under any of the other categories. Delta Delta

12. Identify each fingerprint pattern. Plain Whorl Double Loop ? Radial Loop A B Right Hand Left Hand Tented Arch Plain Arch C D Right Hand E Right Hand Left Hand

13. It’s time to makesome prints! Avoid Partial Prints GOOD PRINTGet as much of the top part of your finger as possible!

14. Directions 1st – Roll the “pad” portion of your thumb over the ink pad from the left side of your thumb to the right. You do not have to push down really hard! 2nd – Roll the “pad” portion of your thumb from the left side of your thumb to the right in the correct box on your paper to make a thumbprint. 3rd – Continue this process to make a fingerprint of all ten fingers on the “My Prints” worksheet. 4th –Use your notes and a magnifying lens to help you figure out what type of pattern is found in each of your fingerprints. Label each one with the pattern’s name.

15. Activity • Fingerprints Basic Worksheet • http://sciencespot.net/Media/FrnsScience/fingerprintwebwkst.pdf

16. Forensic Science The Science of Ridges A Closer Look at Fingerprints T. Trimpe 2007 http://sciencespot.net/ Image from ftp://sequoyah.nist.gov/pub/nist_internal_reports/ir_6534.pdf

17. As we have learned in our first lesson, a fingerprint is made of a series of ridges and valleys on the surface of the finger. The uniqueness of a fingerprint can be determined by the pattern of ridges and valleys as well as the minutiae points, which are points where the ridge structure changes. Did you know? The koala is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. In fact, koala fingerprints are remarkably similar to human fingerprints; even with an electron microscope, it can be quite difficult to distinguish between the two. Ridgeology: The study of the uniqueness of friction ridge structures and their use for personal identification.1 1Introduction to Basic Ridgeology by David Ashbaugh, May 1999 Image from http://www.cs.usyd.edu.au/~irena/minutia.gif

18. Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) AFIS is a computerized system capable of reading, classifying, matching, and storing fingerprints for criminal justice agencies. Quality latent fingerprints are entered into the AFIS for a search for possible matches against the state maintained databases for fingerprint records to help establish the identity of unknown deceased persons or suspects in a criminal case. http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/CrimeLab/images/fingerrint%20comparison%20for%20afis.jpg Fingerprint Identification When minutiae on two different prints match, these are called points of similarity or points of identification. At this point there is no international standard for the number of points of identification required for a match between two fingerprints. However, the United Kingdom requires a minimum sixteen points while Australia requires twelve.

19. Ridge Characteristics Use these characteristics as points of identification when comparing fingerprint samples. The more points you can find in common, the better the match!

20. Crossover Core Bifurcation (fork) Ridge ending Scar Island Delta Pore Ridge Characteristics EXAMPLE http://cnx.org/content/m12574/latest/properties.jpg

21. http://www.dkfz.de/tbi/projects/bmcv/images/iu_it246_04s_fingerprint1.jpghttp://www.dkfz.de/tbi/projects/bmcv/images/iu_it246_04s_fingerprint1.jpg How many ridge characteristics can you identify in this fingerprint?

22. Try It! Analyze the fingerprints on your “My Prints” worksheet to see how many ridge characteristics you can find.

23. Activity • Fingerprint Challenge

24. Forensic Science Latent Prints T. Trimpe 2007 http://sciencespot.net/

25. Did you know? Camel hair is the most common animal hair used to make fingerprint brushes. Now many brushes (like the one above) are made out of fiberglass. Latent prints are impressions left by friction ridge skin on a surface, such as a tool handle, glass, door, etc. Prints may be collected by revealing them with a dusting of black powder and then lifted with a piece of clear tape.

26. Magnetic powder can also be used to reveal latent prints. This type of powder works better on shiny surfaces or plastic baggies or containers. Some investigators use fluorescent powder and UV lights to help them find latent prints on multi-colored or dark surfaces. The cyanoacrylate fuming method (often called the super glue method) is a procedure that is used to develop latent fingerprints on a variety of objects. Ninhydrin is a chemical that bonds with the amino acids in fingerprints and will produce a blue or purple color. It is used to lift prints from surfaces such as paper and cardboard. Click the icon to view the Crime 360Super Glue Video Top Left: http://www.stapletonandassociates.com/images/MagPowder.jpg Bottom Left: http://www.ok.gov/osbi/images/ninhydrin%20print.jpg Bottom Right: http://www.forensicsrus.com/images/SupergluePrint.jpg

27. Directions: 1 - Cover your table with white butcher paper or newspaper. You must dust everything on the paper! 2 - Get a lifting kit from your teacher that contains black powder, brushes, and clear tape. 3 - Press the pad of your right thumb on a CD or glass slide to make a print. Place on the paper covering your table. 4 – Dip a brush lightly into the container of black powder and then tap off the extra on the lid. You only need a very small amount of powder to dust the print. 5 – Hold the brush over the print and rotate it between your thumb and fingers. Use the brush to remove any extra powder. 6 - Use a small piece of clear tape to lift the print and place it in the box on your worksheet. CAUTION: The black powder will be messy and isn’t easy to clean up. Don’t dust anything without permission!

28. Clean Up 1 – Clean off the CDs or glass slides and put them back in the kit with the brushes and tape. 2 – Have someone help you fold the paper in half and tap it to return the extra black powder to the container. 3 – Put the black powder in the box and have it checked in by your teacher. 4 – Get a towel and “dry” wash the table – especially the edges that weren’t covered with paper. 5 – Get a wet towel to wash off the table and then wipe it with some dry towels. Keep cleaning until all the black powder is off the table!

29. Fingerprint Analysis How do our fingerprint patterns compare to the expected averages?

30. Let’s determine the rate of occurrence for our fingerprint patterns ... How do our results compare to the averages? 60% - Loops 35% - Whorls 5 % - Arches __% - Loops __% - Whorls __% - Arches Write a paragraph on your worksheet that summarizes our results.

31. Let’s determine the rate of occurrence to compare males vs. females. Which pattern is most common pattern among the males in this class? Which is most common pattern among the females? How do the averages for each sex compare to the expected averages?

32. Activity • Fingerprint Analysis Activity • http://forensics.rice.edu/html/educators.html • Sticky Fingers