FINGERPRINTS AND OTHER

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
• Development and Nature of Fingerprints
• Classification and Management of Files
• Collection and Preservation
• Latent Prints and their Development
• Fingerprint comparison and Identification
• Other Patterns for Personal Identification
• Identification of Human Remains
• Handling of Mass Disaster
• Fingerprint Data Base 
WHAT IS FINGERPRINT?

Fingerprint is defined as the reproduction on

some smooth surfaces of the pattern or design
formed by ridges on the inside of the end joint
of the fingers and thumbs.
 USES OF FINGERPRINTS
1. Identification of criminals;
2. Identification of fugitives;
3. Means of personal identification;
4. Identification of missing persons;
5. Identification of unknown deceased;
6. Identification of unconscious persons;
7. Identification of a person suffering from amnesia;
8. Recognition by the government of an honored
dead;
9. Personal identification of victims in a disaster works;
10. Imposition of more equitable sentences by the court;
11. Prevention of hospital mistakes in the identification of
infants;
12. Assistance to prosecutors in presenting their cases in the
light of defendant’s previous record;
13. Furnishing identification data to probation and parole
officers and to parole boards for their enlightenment in
decision-making;
14. Exchanging of criminal identifying information with
identification bureaus of foreign countries in cases of mutual
interest;
15. Requirement in licensing procedures (for automobiles,
firearms, aircrafts, etc.)
 Skin Structure
• Outer, surface layer of skin is epidermis (stratum
corneum)

• The inner layer of skin is the dermis (stratum

mucosum).

• Between these two are the dermal papillae

• Papillary pattern determines the form and pattern of

the friction ridges on skin surface
Perspiration and oils are secreted
through glands in the skin
Structure of skin showing friction ridges and
pores connected to sweat glands
 What is Dactyloscopy?
Dactyloscopy is the scientific study of fingerprinting. A
fingerprint is the impression of the friction ridges
found on the surface of the fingers or thumbs.

Fingerprint identification is based upon the

distinctive ridge outlines that appear on the bulbs on
the inside of the end joints of the fingers and thumbs.
No two persons have identical fingerprints, making
fingerprints the primary method of establishing a
person’s identity.
DOGMATIC PRINCIPLES OF
FINGERPRINT SCIENCE

1. PRINCIPLE OF PERMANENCY – is
the principle of fingerprint science that
states that fingerprints of a person is
unchanging or constant from birth until the
decomposition of the body of the person.
2. PRINCIPLE OF INDIVIDUALITY – is
the principle of fingerprint science that says
“there are no two fingerprints that are
exactly alike,” except if two fingerprints were
taken from the same finger and the same
person. Two fingerprints maybe alike in its
pattern or design but considering its minute
characteristics, they differ.
3. PRINCIPLE OF INFALLIBILITY –
this principle states that fingerprints are the
most reliable means of personal
identification. It is for the reason that
fingerprints are permanent; therefore they
cannot be forged nor changed.
REASONS WHY FINGERPRINT
IS ONE OF THE MOST
INFALLIBLE MEANSOF
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

1. Dermis of fingers is already formed 3-4 months of

the intrauterine life and remains unchanged
throughout our life until the final stage of
decomposition after death.
2. The pattern formulation formed by the papillary
ridges contains peculiar characteristics upon which
the person can always be identified by the fingerprint
examiner.

3. Almost every police and law enforcement agencies

throughout the world accept, adopt and utilize the
fingerprint system as a means of identifying a person.

4. The court and other authorities had since time

immemorial taken cognizance of its importance as a
means of identification. Admissibility of fingerprint by
expert testimony as to the identity of thumb mark
of fingerprint is admissible.
 Why are fingerprints important?
 100 % unique to the individual. Physical features change
but fingerprints DO NOT until decomposition sets.

 Ridge patterns and the details in small areas of friction

ridges are unique and never repeated.

 Friction ridges develop on the fetus in their definitive

form before birth.

 Ridges are persistent throughout life except for

permanent scarring. (DO NOT CHANGE WITH AGE!)

 Friction ridge patterns vary within limits which allow for

classification.
There are two layers of skin, the outer scarf or epidermis
and the INNER SCARF OR DERMIS. These layers of
the skin of a person are very important to note for if
the epidermis or outer layer scarf of the skin is
damaged, fingerprints can still be re-developed. If the
inner scarf or inner layer of the skin is being damaged,
there is no hope of forming the ridges in its original
formations. The fingerprints may come into its
formations but with great scars that affect the change
in their fingerprint.
John Dillinger is a notorious gangster and a police
character who attempted to erase his fingerprints by
burning them with acid, but as the time went by, ridges
were again restored to its natural feature. The acid he
applied temporarily destroyed the epidermis of the
bulbs of the fingers.
Edmond Locard and Witkowsji of Lyons performed
painful experiments on themselves by burning their
fingertips with boiling water and oil and hot metals to find
out whether that can destroy the ridges of a finger.
 Can fingerprints be effaced?

No, as long as the dermis of the

bulbs of the fingers is not
completely destroyed, the
fingerprints will always remain
unchanged and indestructible.
Do fingerprints remain
unchanged?
Impossible to do, but there has never been a lack
of trying
John Dillinger-corrosive acid

To change the pattern requires obliteration

of the dermal papillae (1- 2 mm deep)

Attempts to destroy pattern causes disruption,

irreversibly adding more detail!
 Can fingerprints be forged?
 There is a considerable controversy regarding the
possibility of forging fingerprints by burning them with
acid or making a simulated impressions or a perfect
replica of impressions of the fingers.

 Various experiments conducted by authorities and

although they could almost make an accurate
reproduction, still there is no case on record known
or had been written that forgery of fingerprints has
been a complete success. The introduction of modern
scientific equipments, new techniques and up to date
knowledge in crime detection always foil the attempt.
 Query: Are fingerprints inherited?

Answer: The general shape or overall pattern of

fingers and palms can be inherited. Family members
will often have similar patterns or designs on the
same fingers of their hands. The tiny details in the
fingerprints, ridges, however, ARE NOT inherited and
is different between all friction skin areas of all
persons - - - even between twins.
 Ancient Facts on Fingerprint
• Based on the reliable records, fingerprint was first
introduced in China as early as the 3rd B.C. by using clay
where the palm in pressed in it. China was the first to
introduce fingerprint as medium of identification by using
soft mud or clay by pressing the fingers. Fingerprint to
them is Hua Chi, slices of matches of the fingerprints all
kept to pressure the identity of the people.
To go back in the history of fingerprint in China, some to
the earlier practices of fingerprints are credited to the
Chinese who were successful in applying this method in
their daily business and legal activities. They even used it in
the preparation and preservation of legal documents.
During those times, in Chinese Law. “To divorce a wife, the
husband must give a document stating therein the reasons
or grounds that were due for action. The document should
be signed by the husband’s own handwriting, but in case
he is unable to write, he must sign with his
fingerprints.”
Emperor Te’in Shi, B.C. [246-210] –
was the first Chinese ruler who
devised a seal carved from white
jade.
•In Holland, BRANDING, TATTOOING, AND
MUTILATION are done to identify a person.
•In Old Mexico, the AZTECS (one of the tribes in Mexico)
print their palm in mud in their tombs.
•Fingerprint, palm prints were also introduced in JUDEA
and BABYLON even before the time of Jesus Christ as
they stated that the most important part of the human body
is the skin.
•In France, numerous rock carving, paintings,
featuring land designs and fingerprints have been
found on the granite wall slabs in the Neolitical burial
passages.
•In Jerusalem, FINGERPRINT RELICS were found in
clay lumps during the 4th and 5th centuries of the
Christian era.
•In Babylonia, fingerprint was first intended, originated
and used for personal identification. The Magistrates
ordered their peace officer in making arrest and
property confiscations to secure the defendants
fingerprints. These facts were in clay tablets and are
now preserved and kept in the British Museum.
PERSONS IN FINGERPRINTS AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS

Marcello Malpighi – an Italian professor who made a scientific study

describing the different layers of the skin using the newly discovered
microscope and discussed on certain elevated ridges and diverge figures on
the palm. He then became known as the “Grandfather of fingerprints”.
It was also him where the terms “loops and spirals” originated. One of the
layers of the human skin was named after him- “Malpighian Layer.”

Johannes Evangelist Purkinje (1823). He described the ridges, giving

them names, established certain rules for classification and identified
different patterns. He also divided the different layers of the skin into nine
major groups and was later known as the Father of Dactyloscopy.
1.Sir Edward Richard Henry (1901). He established the
Henry’s classification System, he simplified fingerprint
classification and made it applicable to police
identification in England. He was known the Father of
Fingerprint (science of fingerprint identification.)
2.Sir William Hershel (1858) a British chief
administrative officer who was the first to use fingerprints
in large scale requiring natives of India to affix their
fingerprints in their contracts.
3.Dr. Henry Faulds (1877) an English Doctor who
introduced the printing of the ten fingers with the use of
thin film ink and made a manual book on Dactyloscopy.
4.Sir Francis Galton (1892) – A British scientist
(anthropologist) who decided that the first joint of the ten
fingers contains three major groups namely:
• Loops
• Whorls
• Arches
With this observations and findings,
this led to the publication of his
book entitled “Fingerprint” and
established the individually and
permanency of fingerprints and
devised the first scientific method
of classifying fingerprint pattern.
JCA Mayer (1788) – found in his studies that the
arrangements of the skin ridges are never duplicated in two
persons, but there may be closes similarities among some
individuals. “Stated that fingerprints of two persons are never
alike.”

Herman Welcker – took the prints of his own palms,

after 42 years, he printed the same palm and proved that
palmprints do not change.

Gilbert Thompson – U.S. Geologist used his own

fingerprints to ice who started the first installation of
fingerprint files as an official means of identification basing
from the patterns typed by Sir Francis Galton.
 DEVELOPMENT OF FINGERPRINT SCIENCE
IN THE PHILIPPINES
The use of fingerprints in the Philippines STARTED IN THE
YEAR 1900. It was through the Americans that the science of
fingerprints was introduced in the Philippines.
GARRY JONES is the one who started teaching of fingerprints
in the Philippines sometime in the year 1900.
GENESO REYES was the first Filipino fingerprint technician
employed by the Philippine Constabulary (now Philippine
National Police).
Others who followed took their fingerprint training conducted
abroad and at home; some through correspondence schools,
and through hand-on trainings. One of which is FELIPE G.
MONTOJO who specialized in fingerprint at the Illinois Institute
of Applied science.
RA No. 409, created the Criminal Records and Identification
Division (CRID) of the Manila Police Department (MPD) (now
Western Police District) in the year 1900 utilizing the BERTILLON
SYSTEM of identification.

During World War II, the Manila Police Department records were
destroyed. The division was reestablished in 1945 by the U.S. Army
and the HENRY SYSTEM of fingerprint was adopted.

The National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) presently uses the Henry

System, FBI System with Modification and Extension.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) is using the Henry System of

Fingerprint.
Commonwealth Act No. 181- established the Division of
Investigation (DI) on 13 November 1936 that authorizes the use of
fingerprint system.

Republic Act No. 157 abolished the Division of Investigation (DI),

and at the same time created the Bureau of Investigation (BI) on
June 19, 1947.

Executive Order No. 94, Section 63, dated 04 October 1947, the
BI was renamed to National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).

The fingerprint records from the defunct Division of

Investigation and Bureau of Investigation formed part of the present
fingerprint files of the National Bureau of Investigation. The files
were further boosted with the turn over of the NBI records of
Filipino nationals with the Allied Forces in Western Pacific Command
(AFWESPAC) after the end of World War II.
Then, other police forces in the country started
introducing the fingerprints system in their respective
departments. As a result, there was, and still is, a great
demand for police officers trained in field of
fingerprints classification and identification. So, the
National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) started offering
trainings on fingerprint system for police officers as
well as civilians.

As of July 2003, the National Bureau

Investigation has about 16 million fingerprint cards
on file. The Western Police District about 1.5
million. The Bureau of Corrections about 400,000
thousand. Unfortunately, this writer was not able to
obtain the statistics from the Philippine National
Police and other law enforcement agencies that are
using the fingerprint system of identification.
Bertillon and the Mug Shot Bertillon

 After the invention of photography, police began to

keep "rogues' galleries," disorganized photographic
collections of suspects and convicts. They needed
a way to retrieve images and information quickly.

 In 1879, Alphonse Bertillon invented a method that

combined detailed measurement and classification
of unique features with frontal and profile
photographs of suspects—and which recorded the
information on standardized cards in orderly files.
Bertillon's system was based on five
primary measurements
• head length

• head breadth

• length of the middle finger

• the length of the left foot

• the length of the "cubit" (the forearm from

the elbow to the extremity of the middle
finger).
Bertillon Card
 Bertillon created an early database
 Bertillon’s system combined photography and
measurement to create a record of unique identifiers that
could be used to track suspects, inmates, and repeat
offenders.

 Unique characteristics like tattoos and scars were also

recorded.

 His system depended on a complicated filing method that

cross-referenced a standardized set of identifying
characteristics, making the information retrievable.

 The identification process was entirely independent of

names and the final identification was confirmed by the
photographs included on the individual's card.
Left middle fingerprint

This permanent
scar irreversibly
changes the
fingerprint.
It starts near the
core of the loop and
passes to the right
of the screen.
Limitations of fingerprints
Most prints are not useful for a comparison as there is
not enough information available in the print. Prints can
be too old, too small, too dirty or damaged.

Most fingerprints disappear after some days or some

weeks.
 LEGALITY OF FINGERPRINTS

 "...the majority of all crime is committed by

habitual criminals who have been arrested or
imprisoned before...their fingerprints are on file,
and...a single fingerprint left anywhere about the
scene of a crime may enable the experts to tell just
who committed the crime."
-T. Dickerson Cooke, The Blue Book of Crime,
1953.
 LEGALITY OF FINGERPRINT

the entire population of the world, yet it is universally accepted that

there is no possibility of finding two individuals possessing identical
fingerprints. The reason for these is the fact that it is an accepted
principle by scientists that nature never duplicates itself in its smallest
details (Montojo, 2006).

FRANCIS GALTON and EDMOND LOCARD believe

in the possibility that duplication of fingerprints is possible in the ratio
of one is to three trillion (1:3 trillion), meaning, there can be a
duplication of a fingerprint of a person among three (3) trillion people.
This view is disputable; considering the fact that
fingerprints is as old as mankind and that there is no
known record that will show that Adam and Eve
have no fingerprints. If we now consider the number
of people who populated the Earth from the time of
Adam to present, not only millions, billions but
trillions of people have already occupied the Earth.
So if the probability is 1:3, trillion then the
duplication of fingerprints of different individuals is
possible.
THE REQUIRED NUMBER OF
FINGERPRINT CHARCATERISTICS
TO BE ACCEPTED AS EVIDENECE
IN COURT

There are no international rules or laws that fix the

number of the fingerprint characteristics that must be
present in both the latent print and fingerprint of the
suspect that would be a basis in the establishment of the
absolute identity of a person.
Experts of the different countries differ in the requirements of
the minimum number of ridge characteristics inorder for a
fingerprint to be offered as evidence in court.
England, the minimum is 16
USA, the minimum is 12,
Most European Countries = 15
In the Philippines, there is no law or provision of the
Constitution that directs the required minimum no. of ridge
characteristics in order for a fingerprint to be accepted as
evidence in court. Therefore, the acceptance of fingerprint as
evidence depends on the satisfaction of the JUDGE as
presented by an authorized person
during judicial hearings.
In our country, EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND,
TRAINING, and EXPERIENCE of the examiner are
more important than the no. of ridge details.

Only those who have special training and experience in

the examination and comparison of fingerprints may
render opinion in the absolute identity of fingerprints.

The word “OPINION” in fingerprint science means,

the result of the critical study and comparison of the
latent prints and the suspect’s fingerprints done by
experts.
 Validity of fingerprinting as an
identification method
 Fingerprint examination is an applied science based
upon the foundation of biological uniqueness,
permanence, and empirical validation through
observation.

 Reliability of fingerprint examination is supported

by the theories of biological uniqueness and
permanence, probability modeling, and empirical
data gained through over one hundred years of
operational experience.
 The Case of Will West
 There is evidence that men named Will and William West were both
imprisoned in the Federal Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas,
between 1903 and 1909. However, the details of the case are
suspicious, especially since they differ between retells, and the story
did not appear in print until 1918.

 Today, people familiar with the story differ on whether the story
was accurate, a case of people (possibly separated twins) who bore
a striking resemblance, a case of known twins, or complete fiction.

 It should be noted that the West case is not a case of fingerprint

error, but an error in the method of anthropometry, which the
fingerprint science replaced.
 The Case of Will West
A story that some regard as apocryphal circulates about
events occurring in the early 20th century when a man was
spotted in the incoming prisoner line at the U.S.
Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kansas by a guard who
recognized him and thought he was already in the prison
population. Upon examination, the incoming prisoner
claimed to be named Will West, while the existing prisoner
was named William West. According to their Bertillon
measurements, they were essentially indistinguishable. Only
their fingerprints could readily identify them, and the
Bertillon Method was discredited.
 William West's Bertillon Measurements
Will West's Bertillon Measurements 177.5; 188.0; 91.3; 19.8; 15.9; 14.8; 6.5; 27.5; 12.2;
178.5; 187.0; 91.2; 19.7; 15.8; 14.8; 6.6; 28.2; 9.6; 50.3
12.3; 9.7
Fingerprints are not infallible
Shirley McKie, a former policewoman was acquitted of
perjury. She was accused of lying about a fingerprint at
a murder trial. The case stemmed from what was
allegedly Ms McKie’s thumb print, found at the scene of
a murder. She had denied that the thumb print was hers,
or that she had even been in the room where it was
found.
Expert witnesses backed the plea of innocence and she
was acquitted by a jury.

The Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Mr William Taylor,

exonerated Ms McKie and concluded that the Scottish
Criminal Records Office (SCRO) Fingerprint Bureau was
“not fully effective and efficient”.
Taylor concluded that there should be a move away
from the current analysis system, which seeks to match
16 points of similarity between prints from a crime
scene and a suspect. Also highlighted the need for
improvements in training and backed a centralised
fingerprint service in Scotland.
 Decided Cases
 1) PP VS JENNING ( 252 III. 534, 96 NE 1077 (1911)

 It passed upon the admissibility of fingerprint evidence. In the

case, fingerprint evidence was admitted as a means of
identification. It was also held that persons experienced on the
matter of fingerprint identification may give their opinion as to
whether fingerprints found at the crime scene correspond with
those of the accused. The court’s conclusion was based on a
comparison of the photographs of such prints impressed by
accused. The court further said, “there being no question as to
the accuracy or authenticity of the photographs, weight shall be
given to the testimony of experts, any issue is to be resolved by
the jury”
 STATE VS CERCIELLO, New Jersey, 86
NJL,309, 90 Atl. (1914)
Fingerprint evidence was allowed to introduced. The defendant argued
that it was an error to allow the testimony of experts explaining the
comparison of the fingerprints obtained from the defendant
voluntarily with those fingerprints found upon a hatched near of the
body of deceased when the body was discovered.

The New Jersey Court of Errors and Appeals held, “in principle, its
admission as legal evidence is based upon the theory in the evolution
in practical affairs of life, whereby the progressive and scientific
tenderness of the age are manifested in every other department of
human endeavor, can demonstrating a fact in issue, will allow evidence
of those scientific processes which are the work of educated and
skillful man in their various departments of endeavor, leaving the
weight and effect to be given to the effort and its results entirely to
the jury”.
 LAMBLE VS STATE (Lamble vs. State, 96
N.T.L., 231; 114 ATL., (N.J.) 364 (1921)
This involved the discovery of fingerprints on the
door of an automobile, the court was of the
opinion that it was not necessary to produce
the door as an evidence. The court stated that a
photograph of the fingerprints noted on the
door should be sufficient along with the
identification of the fingerprints by expert to
show of these of the defendant. The court
referred to the previous decided case in State
vs. Conners (Supra)
 STATE VS CONNERS (87 N.T. L., 419, 94,
Atl.812 (1915)
Where the photographs of the fingerprints
was competently reproduced from the
balcony post of the house and even
without producing that post in court and
because of the expert testimony without
disruption to the continuity of testimony, it
is deemed admissible.
 PEOPLE VS CORRAL (224 California 2d 300
(1964)
It is a well settled principle in law that
fingerprints are the strongest evidence of
the identity of a person. This doctrine was
reasserted in the case of PP VS RESIR
(California), in which court stated,
“fingerprint evidence is strongest of
identity and is ordinarily sufficient alone to
identity of the defendant.
 SCHMERBER VS CALIFORNIA (384 us,
757,763,764 (1966)

It was held that the introduction into evidence of fingerprint

impression taken without the consent of the defendant was
not an infringement of his constitutional privilege against
self-incrimination. The high court held that it is
constitutional to obtain real or physical evidence even if the
suspect is compelled to give blood in a hospital
environment, submit to fingerprinting, photographing or
measurement, write or speak for identification, appears in
court, stand or walk, assume a stance or make a particular
gesture, put on a cloth that fits him, or exhibit his body as
evidence when it is material.
 What About Gladys Johnson’s Killer?

Police searching the area near Gladys’ murder located the killer’s
latex gloves among the garbage in the dumpster where the killer
dumped them. Jeff Kindle had been a fingerprint evidence
technician working for a state laboratory for more than 30
years. He had experimented with trying to develop fingerprints
from the inside of latex gloves, but had never had to do so in an
actual case. So, when the two detectives brought the latex gloves
found in the dumpster to the lab for analysis, he was excited.

 He had read several articles detailing the methodology to find

and process fingerprints inside latex gloves, including Michael
Smith’s excellent article “Latent Fingerprints on Latex Gloves”
published by the International Association for Identification.
 It turned out that when the killer had taken off the latex gloves
and tossed them in the dumpster, he turned them inside-out.
Sometimes the good guys get lucky! Not only was Kindle able to
obtain readable fingerprints from the gloves, but the killer’s
prints were on file with AFIS.

 The gloves were found more than a block from the murder
scene, so investigators still had a ways to go to link the killer to
Gladys Johnson, but eventually they were able to do so. The
fingerprints in the gloves led to probable cause and the
obtainment of a search warrant. This particular killer liked to
take trophies from his victims, and investigators found Gladys’
panties in the killer’s apartment, along with those from other
victims.

 That’s the beauty of science.

 PHILIPPINES
BALINGAWA VS AMADOR (CA, 36320-B)

 The fingerprint expert and constabulary sergeant/

investigator testified and successfully defended
fingerprint evidence based on eight (8) identical ridge
points.

 The court stated that admissibility was based on rare

identical characteristics compared from both true and
questioned prints.
 PP VS MEDINA (59 PHIL. 330)
 The first leading judicial decision in Philippine Jurisprudence on the Science of
Fingerprinting.

 On the night of February 12 1932, Mariano Medina broke into and entered
through the window of the house of Mr. James C. Rockwell. Once inside, Medina
took several properties of the Rockwell’s and one among them was a jewelry
box, which was later on recovered by the intelligence division of the Philippine
Constabulary, Officer Agapito Ruiz. The later was able to develop and lift a
fingerprint on top of the box. Ruiz took the fingerprints of the accused and
found similarities when he compared them with his records. Further
investigation revealed that the accused had served three terms in the Bilibid
prison.

 Ruiz then compared a photograph of the impression of the middle finger of

Medina’s right hand with the photograph fingerprint on top of the box stolen
from the bedroom of the Rockwell’s and established that they coincided in ten
(10) points. He concluded that the two (2) impressions were from the same
person.
 PP VS MEDINA (59 PHIL. 330) Cont,d

 That the accused deny the accusation contending the print

recovered was not clear, hence, it is inadmissible. The CFI
convicted the accused, hence, this appeal.

 ISSUE: Whether or not, the fingerprint should be admitted in

evidence?

 HELD: It is now a well settled rule that evidence as to the

correspondence of fingerprints is admissible for the purpose of
identity. Although a portion of the impression on the box was
somewhat blurred, it did not seriously interfere with the
comparison of the two (2) prints. The question of admissibility
lies solely to the discretion of the court.
 Fingerprinting or fingerprints Better than DNA
because identical twins have the same DNA
configuration but they do not have identical
friction ridge configuration.
 RECORDING STANDARD PRINTS

 REAL OR TRUE FINGERPRINT IMPRESSIONS

AND DATA BASE MAKING

 a. What are real Impressions? - Impressions of the

finger bulbs with the use of the fingerprint ink on the
surface of the paper through any coloring materials,
which will produce visibility.
 b. Preparation and Custody of Fingerprint
Materials
 Preparation of fingerprint materials

 a. Fingerprint the suspect immediately upon

arrest

b.Take palm prints too

c. Employ the rolled and plain impressions

method
 c. Equipment
 Fingerprint Ink Roller (6”
long x 2” in diameter)
 Fingerprint ink
 Cardholder and table ( 38”
to 40” high)
 Today, Glass Slab or inking
plate
 Slab and Roller Cleaner
 Hand cleaning materials
(Alcohol, petroleum, cloth &
cotton)
Overview of the Print Matic

PRINTMATIC CERAMIC
COMPACT KIT
 d. General Rules in Impressing
1. Maintain impressing implement – cure of glass plates
and roller from dust

2.Wash fingers thoroughly

3. Dry the fingers before impressing

4.Apply proper amount of ink

5. Don’t double impress

6. Don’t forget flat impressing


e. Rules to observe in taking legible F/Ps
1. Cleanliness of equipment/washing of hands before
fingerprinting

2.The right kind and correct amount of ink

3. Proper distribution of ink on the glass slab

4.The subject’s hands must be relaxed

5. Proper distance of the subject from the glass slab/proper

alignment

6. Even pressure to be applied

e. Rules to observe in taking legible F/Ps
(Cont’d)
7.The fingers must be rolled from one side to the other

8. The inking and printing must reach the first joint of the
finger

9. The thumb must be rolled towards the body and the

other fingers away from the subject’s body

10. The subject’s fingers must be controlled to prevent

twisting

11. Speed of the rolling finger

12. Check up after fingerprint printed - Check prints if
appropriately printed or not in accordance with the following
guidelines:
a. If printing column are incorrect
b. Rolling condition, sufficient or not
c. Printing condition, thick or thin
d. Unevenness? Irregularity? Aberration?
e. No oversight, no mistake on note/remarks

13. Cause of Mistake on Fingerprint Sampling – Noted common

mistakes or failures of law enforcement officers in taking
fingerprint sampling are:

a. Aberration of printing of the fingerprint

b. Ink too much thick
c. Too fast rolling speed
d. Press to hard
e. Rotation is not smooth, as they roll the finger on the
paper
 f. How to thin ink?

 Place small amount of ink, thin the ink evenly with

a pallet and a roller, The roller is rolled one way
leaving the glass plate after every stroke, the ink
can be thinned quickly and evenly.

 Density of Ink – the amount of ink needed for

impression per person is the volume of a match
head.

 Impressing – Subject is advised to look to the front

or side, without stiffening his hand.
Fingerprints

Recording Prints:
Rolling inked prints
Primary identification
number
g. Two methods of producing impressions

Methods of Impressing

a. Rolling Impressions – done by fully rolling the

fingers from one side to the other.

b. Flat or Plain Impressions – done in order to

make sure whether or not rolling impressions
are correctly impressed unto the specified
column. In impressing, it must be up to the
middle phalange.
h. Methods of recording real impressions
 Slab and Roller Method – placing ink on
the slab and spreading it

 Porelon Pad Method – use of inking pad

 Print Matic Method – the roller itself

bears the ink then rolled over the slab
 f. How to thin ink?

 Place small amount of ink, thin the ink evenly with

a pallet and a roller, The roller is rolled one way
leaving the glass plate after every stroke, the ink
can be thinned quickly and evenly.

 Density of Ink – the amount of ink needed for

impression per person is the volume of a match
head.

 Impressing – Subject is advised to look to the

front or side, without stiffening his hand.
 I. 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.
Rolled & Plain Impressions
Rolled & Plain Impressions
Are the fingerprints rolled fully, from nail to nail?
It’s time to make
some prints!

Avoid
Partial
Prints GOOD PRINT
Get as much of the top part of your
finger as possible!
THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL FINGER ROLLING

The examples below show what can happen when fingers are
not fully rolled.
Whorls may appear as Loops if not fully rolled.

A. Not fully rolled B. Rolled Impression

THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL FINGER ROLLING

1. It is extremely important to remember to always roll each

finger from fingernail to fingernail to capture all required
characteristics.
THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL FINGER ROLLING

2. Remember every fingerprint is extremely important. Make sure every

fingerprint is fully rolled, clear and legible.
 THE IMPORTANCE OF FULL FINGER ROLLING (Cont’d)

 3. If the fingerprint impression is a loop, are the delta

and core present? If the fingerprint impression is a
whorl, are all deltas present?

 4.Are the fingerprint impressions clear and distinct?

 5. Are the fingerprint impressions uniform in tone and

not too dark or light?
6. Are the four finger impressions and a thumb impression in the
plain impression block for each hand?

7. Are the rolled fingerprint impressions in the correct finger

blocks when compared to the plain impressions?
 Extra-ordinary Impressing

 Excessively sweating fingers – apply formalin alcohol

liquid to each finger, then print;

 Finger with stiff joints – Impress after shaking the

subject’s hand grasped by the wrist up and down
several times to smoothen the joint movement.

 Fingers with stiff surface skin, coarse fingers, and fingers

suffering from dermatophytosis – wrap fingers in a
steamed towel for several minutes then impress
 Special Circumstances of Impressing

 Deformed or missing fingers:

 If the finger is deformed, every attempt should be made to
record the fingerprint in both the rolled and plain impression
blocks. A postmortem kit, which is more commonly known as a
spoon, can be utilized to assist in recording these images. If
unable to record the image, simply place a notation in the
fingerprint block (e.g., deformed, webbed) or electronically apply
the Unable to Print (UP) code.

 Missing fingers are fingers physically present but cannot be

recorded at the time of capture due to injury. Each missing finger
should be designated via a notation in the fingerprint block (e.g.,
bandaged, injured, crippled, paralyzed) or electronically apply the
UP code.
 Special Circumstances of
Impressing(Cont’d)
 Fully amputated fingers:
 An amputated finger occurs when the finger's first joint is no
longer physically present. Amputated fingers should be
designated via a notation in the fingerprint block (e.g., amp,
missing at birth, severed) or electronically apply the Amputated
(XX) code.

 Tip-amputated fingers:
 If a portion of the first joint is present, record the available
fingerprint pattern area in both the rolled and plain impression
blocks.
 Special Circumstances of
Impressing(Cont’d)
 Extra fingers:
 When fingerprinting an individual with an extra finger, record only the
thumb and the next four fingers. Do not record the extra finger as
either a rolled or plain impression.

 Scarred fingers:
 Record scarred fingers in both the rolled and plain impressions
without a notation.

 Worn fingerprints:
 An individual, by the nature of their work or age, may have very thin or
worn ridges in the pattern area. Apply light pressure and use very little
ink to record these types of fingerprint impressions. A technique
known as "milking the finger" can be used to raise the fingerprint
ridges prior to printing. This technique involves applying pressure or
rubbing the fingers in a downward motion from palm to fingertip.
POSTMORTEM FINGERPRINTING
 How to Use the Fingerprint Spoon
 1. Place a fingerprint card strip in the fingerprint card strip holder
(spoon).

 2. Using the spatula, ink the finger (starting with the right hand)
and be sure to apply ink from nail to nail.

 3. Place the inked finger on the fingerprint card strip holder

(curved area) and press down. Do not roll the finger. The curved
shape of the holder will serve the same purpose as rolling the
finger.

 4. Cut out the finger block from the card strip and paste in the
corresponding block on the standard fingerprint card.

 5. Repeat these steps for each of the remaining fingers. Be sure to

record the correct finger in the correct finger block.
 Extra Fingers
 If an individual has more than ten fingers, the thumbs and
the next four fingers should be printed. When a subject with
more than ten fingers has an intentional amputation
performed, it is invariably the extra finger on the little finger
side that is amputated.
 Ridge Characteristics

Minutiae:
 Characteristics of ridge patterns
 The term used to define common micro features in a fingerprint.
Ridge
ending
Dotor
fragment
Eye or
Enclosure
Bifurcation:
A splitting
line.
Bridge
Enclosure
Spur
Fingerprint Minutiae
Fingerprint Patterns
Arch - 5%
1. Has friction
ridges that enter
on one side of the
finger and cross to
the other side
while rising upward
in the middle.
2. They do NOT
have type
lines, deltas, or
cores.
Types
Plain
Tented
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.

Spike or
“tent”

Plain Arch Tented Arches

Ridges enter on one side and Similar to the plain arch,
exit on the other side. but has a spike in the center.
Loop – 65%
1.Must have one or
more ridges
entering and
exiting from the
same side. Loops
must have one
delta.
2. Types
Radial: Opens
toward the thumb
Ulnar: Opens
toward the
“pinky” (little
finger)
Ulnar
Loop
Radial
Loop
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.

Radial Loop (Right Thumb)

Ulnar Loop (Right Thumb) Loop opens toward the
Loop opens toward left or the radial bone.
right or the ulna 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.
Whorl – 30-35%
1. Types:

Plain
Central Pocket
Double Loop
Accidental
2. Whorls have
at least two
deltas and a
core.
 4. A
4. A double
doubleloop is
loop is made of
made of two loops.
two loops.
5. An
accidental is
a pattern not
covered by
other
categories.
Whorl – 30-35%
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.

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.
Latent Prints
1. Those that are not visible to the naked eye.
These prints consist of the natural secretions of human
skin and require development for them to become
visible.

2. These prints consist of the natural

secretions of human skin and require
development for them to become visible.
 Causes of the Markings:
Ridges or the raised strip of the epidermis
Sweat or perspiration

Composition of Sweat:

98 % - 99% - Sweat gland excreta – is a colorless, transparent

substance of neutral or low acidity (PH4-7) known as moisture or
water; and
1% - 2% are organic and non-organic matters;
Non-organic matters are salt, calcium, magnesium, etc. while -
organic matters are urea, lactic acid, albumin, amino acid and others)
Life span is influenced by:

 Climate/temperature/humidity

 Physical and mental condition of the subject

 Nutrition or the kind of food the body eat

 Impurities on the skin surface

Conditions Affecting Latent Print Quality
The surface on which the print is deposited

The nature of the material contaminating the fingerprint

Any physical or occupational defects of the person making the

print

How the object on which the prints appear was handled

The amount of the transfer

Types of Surfaces

NON-POROUS
GLASS, MIRROR, PLASTIC,
PAINTED SURFACES

ENHANCE WITH SUPER

GLUE and/or POWDER
 POROUS
PAPER,
CARDBOARD, CLOTH

ENHANCE WITH
CHEMICALS
Three Categories
1. Plastic prints
of Fingerprints
Created when the fingers touch against some material such
as putty

2. Patent or visible prints

Formed when the fingers are contaminated with such things
as ink or blood and touch a clean surface

3. Latent/invisible prints
Left on a surface from the small amounts of body oil and
perspiration that are normally found on friction ridges
Require enhancements to become visible
Lifting Prints
Powders: Black, White and
fluorescent powder

Chemicals: ninhydrin, iodine, silver

nitrate, cyanoacrylate
References:
Jezreel B. Vicente, University of Baguio
Gerardo Tumbaga, University of Baguio
Crime Laboratory Lecture by Gerardo Tumbaga