History of FingerprintingHistory of Fingerprinting 11stst attempt at a personal attempt at a personal

identification systemidentification system– Introduced by French police expert Introduced by French police expert

Alhonse Bertillon in 1883Alhonse Bertillon in 1883– Called Bertillon systemCalled Bertillon system– Relied on a Relied on a detailed description detailed description

((portrait parleportrait parle)) of the subject, of the subject, combined with full length and profile combined with full length and profile photographs and photographs and system of precise body system of precise body measurement (measurement (anthropometryanthropometry))

AnthropometryAnthropometry Rested on the premise that the Rested on the premise that the

dimensions of the human bone dimensions of the human bone system remained fixed from the age system remained fixed from the age of 20 until deathof 20 until death

It was thought that no 2 skeletons It was thought that no 2 skeletons could have the same measurementscould have the same measurements

11 measurements of the human 11 measurements of the human anatomy was recommendedanatomy was recommended– Height, reach, width of head, length of Height, reach, width of head, length of

left footleft foot

A Bertillon A Bertillon "booking" Card"booking" Card

Bertillon Bertillon Fingerprint CardFingerprint Card

   

What happened to Bertillon What happened to Bertillon in 1903?in 1903?

In 1903, a prisoner by the name Will In 1903, a prisoner by the name Will West was sentenced to incarceration West was sentenced to incarceration at the United States Penitentiary at at the United States Penitentiary at Leavenworth, Kansas. Leavenworth, Kansas.

During his in processing, the records During his in processing, the records clerk obtained Will West's Bertillon clerk obtained Will West's Bertillon measurements and photograph.measurements and photograph.

Will West denied ever being Will West denied ever being incarcerated at the facility. incarcerated at the facility.

Will West's Will West's Bertillon Bertillon MeasurementsMeasurements 178.5; 187.0; 178.5; 187.0; 91.2; 19.7; 15.8; 91.2; 19.7; 15.8; 14.8; 6.6; 28.2; 14.8; 6.6; 28.2; 12.3; 9.712.3; 9.7

The records clerk, having referenced The records clerk, having referenced his Bertillon measurements into the his Bertillon measurements into the system, retrieved the Bertillon card system, retrieved the Bertillon card for a William West. for a William West.

Will West denied that the William Will West denied that the William West card was his. West card was his.

Subsequent investigation disclosed Subsequent investigation disclosed that William West had previously that William West had previously been incarcerated in the facility until been incarcerated in the facility until September 9, 1901. September 9, 1901.

William West's William West's Bertillon Bertillon Measurements Measurements 177.5; 188.0; 177.5; 188.0; 91.3; 19.8; 15.9; 91.3; 19.8; 15.9; 14.8; 6.5; 27.5; 14.8; 6.5; 27.5; 12.2; 9.6; 50.312.2; 9.6; 50.3

William West Will WestWilliam West Will West

By examining the photographs, one can By examining the photographs, one can see the failure of the Bertillon system. see the failure of the Bertillon system.

Compare the Bertillon measurements in Compare the Bertillon measurements in particular, keeping in mind the various particular, keeping in mind the various factors that would affect the factors that would affect the measurements. measurements.

This failure strengthened the science of This failure strengthened the science of fingerprints as the normally accepted fingerprints as the normally accepted method of personal identification. method of personal identification.

The authorities compared their The authorities compared their fingerprints and determined that Will fingerprints and determined that Will West was not the previously recorded West was not the previously recorded William West William West

Bertillon system was considered Bertillon system was considered most accurate for 2 decademost accurate for 2 decade

In the 1900’s a new system of In the 1900’s a new system of classification of finger ridge patterns classification of finger ridge patterns emerged, known as fingerprintsemerged, known as fingerprints

Fingerprints are the pillar of modern Fingerprints are the pillar of modern criminal identificationcriminal identification

11stst person to realize the potential application person to realize the potential application of fingerprinting to personal identification – of fingerprinting to personal identification – Henry Fauld a scottish physicianHenry Fauld a scottish physician

recognized the importance of fingerprints as recognized the importance of fingerprints as a means of identification, but devised a a means of identification, but devised a method of classification as well. method of classification as well.

He discussed fingerprints as a means of He discussed fingerprints as a means of personal identification, and the use of personal identification, and the use of printers ink as a method for obtaining such printers ink as a method for obtaining such fingerprints. fingerprints.

he is also credited with the first fingerprint he is also credited with the first fingerprint identification of a greasy fingerprint left on identification of a greasy fingerprint left on an alcohol bottle.an alcohol bottle.

Sir Francis Galton, a British Sir Francis Galton, a British anthropologist and a cousin of Charles anthropologist and a cousin of Charles Darwin, began his observations of Darwin, began his observations of fingerprints as a means of fingerprints as a means of identification in the 1880's identification in the 1880's

According to his calculations, the odds According to his calculations, the odds of two individual fingerprints being the of two individual fingerprints being the same were 1 in 64 billion. same were 1 in 64 billion.

Galton identified the characteristics by Galton identified the characteristics by which fingerprints can be identified. which fingerprints can be identified. These same characteristics (minutia) These same characteristics (minutia) are basically still in use today, and are are basically still in use today, and are often referred to as Galton's Details.often referred to as Galton's Details.

In 1891, Juan Vucetich, an Argentine Police In 1891, Juan Vucetich, an Argentine Police Official, began the first fingerprint files Official, began the first fingerprint files based on Galton pattern types. At first, based on Galton pattern types. At first, Vucetich included the Bertillon System Vucetich included the Bertillon System with the files. (see Bertillon below)with the files. (see Bertillon below)

In 1892, Juan Vucetich made the first In 1892, Juan Vucetich made the first criminal fingerprint identification. He was criminal fingerprint identification. He was able to identify a woman by the name of able to identify a woman by the name of Rojas, who had murdered her two sons, Rojas, who had murdered her two sons, and cut her own throat in an attempt to and cut her own throat in an attempt to place blame on another.place blame on another.

Her bloody print was left on a door post, Her bloody print was left on a door post, proving her identity as the murderer.proving her identity as the murderer.

–Juan Juan

VucetichVucetich

3 basic types of fingerprint 3 basic types of fingerprint impressionsimpressions

LatentLatent– Most frequentMost frequent– Visible to eyeVisible to eye– Formed by sweatFormed by sweat– Developed by grey or black powder or Developed by grey or black powder or

iodine fumingiodine fuming Durability of a latent print is variable Durability of a latent print is variable

and governed by several factors but if and governed by several factors but if made on a hard, protected surface and made on a hard, protected surface and left untouched, it is virtually left untouched, it is virtually permanentpermanent

Have been found & developed on Have been found & developed on objects in ancient tombsobjects in ancient tombs

VisibleVisible– Most legible kindMost legible kind– Results from fingers stained with blood Results from fingers stained with blood

or ink or similar mediumor ink or similar medium– Rarely found at crime sceneRarely found at crime scene

Plastic or moldedPlastic or molded– Impression made on a soft surface such Impression made on a soft surface such

as cheese, soap or puttyas cheese, soap or putty

Common Types of FingerprintsCommon Types of Fingerprints Fingerprint patterns are divided into Fingerprint patterns are divided into

three main groups consisting of: three main groups consisting of: Arches, Loops and Whorls. Arches, Loops and Whorls.

Approximately five percent of all Approximately five percent of all fingerprints are Arches, 30% are fingerprints are Arches, 30% are Whorls and 65% are Loops.Whorls and 65% are Loops.

Fingerprint Fingerprint PatternsPatterns

ArchArch

– In an arch In an arch pattern the pattern the ridges enter ridges enter from one side, from one side, make a rise in make a rise in the center and the center and exit generally exit generally on the on the opposite side.opposite side.

Fingerprint PatternsFingerprint Patterns

Tented ArchTented Arch– The tented arch The tented arch

pattern consists pattern consists of at least one of at least one upthrusting upthrusting ridge, which ridge, which tends to bisect tends to bisect superior ridges superior ridges at right angles, at right angles, more or less.more or less.

The The ArchArch pattern has no delta pattern has no delta or core; but, it too, must be or core; but, it too, must be

fully recorded so that its fully recorded so that its individual characteristics can individual characteristics can

be readily distinguished. be readily distinguished.

A A WhorlWhorl pattern will have two pattern will have two or more deltas. For a whorl or more deltas. For a whorl

pattern, all deltas and the areas pattern, all deltas and the areas between them must be between them must be

recorded. recorded.

Simple WhirlSimple Whirl– The whorl pattern The whorl pattern

consists of one or consists of one or more free more free recurving ridges recurving ridges and two points of and two points of delta. delta.

– When the line of When the line of the fingerprint the fingerprint disc is placed on disc is placed on the two points of the two points of delta, it will bisect delta, it will bisect at least one of the at least one of the ridges belonging ridges belonging to the core group.to the core group.

Fingerprint PatternsFingerprint Patterns Twinned WhirlTwinned Whirl

– the recurving the recurving ridges present two ridges present two loop formations, loop formations, separate and separate and apartapart

– There are two There are two points of delta. points of delta.

– The flows for the The flows for the deltas originate deltas originate from the same from the same side of the side of the pattern.pattern.

In the In the LoopLoop pattern there are two pattern there are two focal points:focal points:

the the CoreCore, or the center of the loop, , or the center of the loop, and the delta. and the delta.

The The DeltaDelta is the area of the pattern is the area of the pattern where there is a triangulation or a where there is a triangulation or a dividing of the ridges. dividing of the ridges.

When recording fingerprints, the When recording fingerprints, the delta and the area between the delta delta and the area between the delta and the core must be completely and the core must be completely recorded. recorded.

Fingerprint Impression Fingerprint Impression TypesTypes

Two types of impressions Two types of impressions – First type is referred to as “rolled”First type is referred to as “rolled”– Upper ten impressions are taken Upper ten impressions are taken

individually, thumb, index, middle, individually, thumb, index, middle, ring, and little fingers of each hand. ring, and little fingers of each hand.

– Fingers are rolled from one side of Fingers are rolled from one side of the fingernail to the other, in order the fingernail to the other, in order to obtain all available ridge detail.to obtain all available ridge detail.

– Second type of Impression is the Second type of Impression is the “plain”, “slapped” or “flat”“plain”, “slapped” or “flat”

– Impressions at the bottom of the Impressions at the bottom of the card are obtained simutaneously card are obtained simutaneously without rollingwithout rolling

– Print all of the fingers at a forty-five Print all of the fingers at a forty-five degree angle and then the thumbs. degree angle and then the thumbs.

– Plain impressions are used to verify Plain impressions are used to verify the sequence and accuracy of the the sequence and accuracy of the rolled impressions.rolled impressions.

Basic Fingerprint Basic Fingerprint EquipmentEquipment

Fingerprints can be recorded with Fingerprints can be recorded with any of the following materials:any of the following materials:

• • Ink (Black Printers Ink) and Paper Ink (Black Printers Ink) and Paper (Standard Fingerprint Card,(Standard Fingerprint Card,

Chemicals and Paper (Standard Chemicals and Paper (Standard Fingerprint Card)Fingerprint Card)

• • Livescan.Livescan.

Recommended height for the fingerprinting Recommended height for the fingerprinting device (Card or Live-Scan) is approximately device (Card or Live-Scan) is approximately thirty-nine inches from the floor. thirty-nine inches from the floor.

Allow the forearm of an average adult being Allow the forearm of an average adult being fingerprinted to be parallel to the floorfingerprinted to be parallel to the floor

Best position to roll and record fingerprints. Best position to roll and record fingerprints. If fingerprinting device is not at this height, If fingerprinting device is not at this height,

care must be taken or the finger tends to rise care must be taken or the finger tends to rise off the device. off the device.

If this happens, the technician will fail to If this happens, the technician will fail to capture the lower portion of the first joint and capture the lower portion of the first joint and necessary ridge detail will be missing.necessary ridge detail will be missing.

Basic Procedure for Basic Procedure for FingerprintingFingerprinting

Steps for FingerprintingSteps for Fingerprinting

1. Fingers to be printed must be clean 1. Fingers to be printed must be clean and dry. and dry. – Wiping the individual's fingers with an Wiping the individual's fingers with an

alcohol swab and then drying them should alcohol swab and then drying them should prevent perspiration from being a prevent perspiration from being a problem. problem.

– If the individual's occupation has caused a If the individual's occupation has caused a wearing down or rough surface on the wearing down or rough surface on the fingers, use lotion to soften the fingers (be fingers, use lotion to soften the fingers (be sure to wipe the lotion off before printing).sure to wipe the lotion off before printing).

2. Position the individual2. Position the individual– Individual being fingerprinted should be Individual being fingerprinted should be

asked to stand in front of and at a asked to stand in front of and at a forearm's length from the fingerprinting forearm's length from the fingerprinting device. device.

– Individual should stand to the right and Individual should stand to the right and rear of the person taking the fingerprints rear of the person taking the fingerprints

3. Encourage the individual being 3. Encourage the individual being fingerprinted to relax. fingerprinted to relax. – Ask them to look at some distant object Ask them to look at some distant object

to distract them from what you are to distract them from what you are doing.doing.

4. Grasp the individual's right hand 4. Grasp the individual's right hand at the base of the thumb with your at the base of the thumb with your rightright    hand.     hand. – Cup your hand over the individual's Cup your hand over the individual's

fingers, tucking under those fingers not fingers, tucking under those fingers not being printed.being printed.

– Guide the finger being printed with your Guide the finger being printed with your left hand.left hand.

5. Ink and paper Method5. Ink and paper Method– Roll the finger on the inking plate or Roll the finger on the inking plate or

Porelon Pad so that the entire fingerprint Porelon Pad so that the entire fingerprint pattern area is evenly covered with ink. pattern area is evenly covered with ink.

– Ink should cover from one edge of the Ink should cover from one edge of the nail to the other and from the crease of nail to the other and from the crease of the first joint to the tip of the finger. the first joint to the tip of the finger.

– Using the right amount of ink is of Using the right amount of ink is of vital importance. Too little ink and the vital importance. Too little ink and the impression will be too light. Too much impression will be too light. Too much ink and the fine details will run together.ink and the fine details will run together.

6. Performing the rolled impression, 6. Performing the rolled impression, – Side of the bulb (see illustration above) of Side of the bulb (see illustration above) of

the finger is placed upon the paper the finger is placed upon the paper fingerprint card or the fingerprinting fingerprint card or the fingerprinting device, and the finger is rolled to the device, and the finger is rolled to the other side until it faces the opposite other side until it faces the opposite direction. direction.

– Care should be exercised so the bulb of Care should be exercised so the bulb of each finger is rolled evenly from tip to each finger is rolled evenly from tip to below the first joint. below the first joint.

– Generally, the weight of the finger is all Generally, the weight of the finger is all the pressure needed to clearly record the the pressure needed to clearly record the fingerprint. fingerprint.

7. In order to take advantage of the 7. In order to take advantage of the natural movement of the forearm, the natural movement of the forearm, the handhand    should be rotated from the more     should be rotated from the more difficult position to the easiest position.difficult position to the easiest position.    This requires that the thumbs be     This requires that the thumbs be rolled toward and the fingers away fromrolled toward and the fingers away from    the center of the individual's body.     the center of the individual's body. This process relieves strain and leavesThis process relieves strain and leaves    the fingers relaxed when rolling so     the fingers relaxed when rolling so that they may be lifted easily withoutthat they may be lifted easily without    danger of slipping which smudges     danger of slipping which smudges and blurs the fingerprints. and blurs the fingerprints.

8. Roll each finger from nail to nail in 8. Roll each finger from nail to nail in the appropriate space taking care to the appropriate space taking care to liftlift    each finger up and away after     each finger up and away after rolling, to avoid smudging. rolling, to avoid smudging.

9. If using the ink and paper method 9. If using the ink and paper method and a rolled impression is not and a rolled impression is not acceptable,acceptable,    you may use an adhesive re-tab to     you may use an adhesive re-tab to cover the fingerprint in its space. (Nocover the fingerprint in its space. (No    more than one re-tab per finger     more than one re-tab per finger block is permitted.) For live scan, theblock is permitted.) For live scan, the    image can be deleted and retaken.     image can be deleted and retaken.

10. Plain impressions are printed last, 10. Plain impressions are printed last, at the bottom of the card. at the bottom of the card. – The technician simultaneously presses The technician simultaneously presses

the individual's four fingers (on the right the individual's four fingers (on the right hand), keeping the fingers together, on hand), keeping the fingers together, on the surface of the fingerprint card or the the surface of the fingerprint card or the fingerprinting device at a forty-five fingerprinting device at a forty-five degree angle degree angle

– This process captures all four fingers in This process captures all four fingers in the allotted space (see illustration). the allotted space (see illustration).

– Repeat this process for the left hand.Repeat this process for the left hand.– Print both thumbs simutaneously in the Print both thumbs simutaneously in the

plain impression thumb blocks (to ensure plain impression thumb blocks (to ensure that they are in the proper spaces). that they are in the proper spaces).

11. If using the ink and paper 11. If using the ink and paper method, complete the information at method, complete the information at the top of thethe top of the      fingerprint card (masthead).       fingerprint card (masthead). – If using live scan, complete the requiredIf using live scan, complete the required

      information.       information.

Special attention must be given Special attention must be given when fingerprinting an individual when fingerprinting an individual with abnormalities of the fingers, with abnormalities of the fingers, thumbs or hands. Special situations thumbs or hands. Special situations include:include:– Amputations Amputations – Bandaged Fingers or Hands Bandaged Fingers or Hands – Scars Scars – Deformities Deformities – Worn FingerprintsWorn Fingerprints– Extra Fingers Extra Fingers – Webbed FingersWebbed Fingers

AMPUTATIONSAMPUTATIONS amputation exists when an individual has amputation exists when an individual has

one or more fingers, thumbs or handsone or more fingers, thumbs or handsmissing. missing.

This condition should be noted in the This condition should be noted in the appropriate block of the fingerprint appropriate block of the fingerprint submission. submission.

Total amputation should be designated Total amputation should be designated using the following notations: using the following notations: – Amputation (AMP)Amputation (AMP)– XXXX– Missing at Birth (MAB) Missing at Birth (MAB)

Bandaged Fingers or HandsBandaged Fingers or Hands

If the individual has a bandage or If the individual has a bandage or cast on a finger, thumb or hand, cast on a finger, thumb or hand, place theplace thenotation, "Unable to Print" or "UP" in notation, "Unable to Print" or "UP" in the appropriate finger block. the appropriate finger block.

ScarsScars

Exists when an individual has Exists when an individual has permanent tissue damage to finger, permanent tissue damage to finger, thumbthumbor hand or hand

When only pattern areas that have When only pattern areas that have been totally destroyed or the ridge been totally destroyed or the ridge detail appears distorted. detail appears distorted.

These fingerprints should be taken as These fingerprints should be taken as they exist. The scars can be noted as they exist. The scars can be noted as "Scarred," but it is not required."Scarred," but it is not required.

DeformitiesDeformities

May exist as a result of an injury, birth May exist as a result of an injury, birth defect or disease. defect or disease.

An attempt should be made to An attempt should be made to fingerprint the individual with the fingerprint the individual with the techniques outlinedtechniques outlinedpreviouslypreviously

Special equipment (e.g., a fingerprint Special equipment (e.g., a fingerprint spoon) may be needed when spoon) may be needed when fingerprinting individuals with fingerprinting individuals with deformities deformities

Worn FingerprintsWorn Fingerprints Individual may, by the nature of their work or age, Individual may, by the nature of their work or age,

have very thin or worn ridges in the pattern area. have very thin or worn ridges in the pattern area. Light pressure and very little ink are used to Light pressure and very little ink are used to

record these types of fingerprint impressions. record these types of fingerprint impressions. Technique known as "milking the fingers" can be Technique known as "milking the fingers" can be

used to raise the fingerprints prior to used to raise the fingerprints prior to fingerprinting.fingerprinting.

This technique involves applying pressure or This technique involves applying pressure or rubbing the fingers in a downward motion from rubbing the fingers in a downward motion from palm to fingertip.palm to fingertip.

In a situation of dry, flaky fingers, simply add a In a situation of dry, flaky fingers, simply add a small amount of hand lotion or ridge builder prior small amount of hand lotion or ridge builder prior to fingerprinting.to fingerprinting.

Extra FingersExtra Fingers

If an individual has more than ten If an individual has more than ten fingers, the thumbs and the next four fingers, the thumbs and the next four fingersfingersshould be printed. should be printed.

When a subject with more than ten When a subject with more than ten fingers has an intentional amputation fingers has an intentional amputation performed, it is invariably the extra performed, it is invariably the extra finger on the little finger side that is finger on the little finger side that is amputated.amputated.

Webbed Fingers or Split Webbed Fingers or Split ThumbsThumbs

Individuals may have two or more Individuals may have two or more fingers webbed or grown togetherfingers webbed or grown together

This makes it impossible to roll such This makes it impossible to roll such fingers. fingers.

Fingers should be rolled as Fingers should be rolled as completely as possible, and a completely as possible, and a notation made to the effect that they notation made to the effect that they are joined or "webbed." are joined or "webbed."

DID YOU DO DID YOU DO IT RIGHT????IT RIGHT????

Is there a fingerprint Is there a fingerprint impression in each finger impression in each finger

block?block?

Are the fingerprints rolled fully, Are the fingerprints rolled fully, from nail to nail? from nail to nail?

Are the fingerprint impressions Are the fingerprint impressions clear and distinct?clear and distinct?

Are the fingerprint impressions Are the fingerprint impressions uniform in tone and not too uniform in tone and not too

dark or light?dark or light?