Fingerprint minutiae (because the details are so small)

minutiae (mi -nu-sha)

• A single rolled fingerprint may have as many as 100 or more identification points that can be used for identification purposes. These points are often ridge characteristics. There are many different ridge characteristics, although some of them are more common than others. These points can be used as points of comparison for fingerprint identification

Bifurcation

• The point at which one friction ridge divides into two friction ridges

Double Bifurcation

• When one friction ridge divides into 2 ridges, and then divides again

Bridge

• A connecting friction ridge between parallel running ridges, generally right angles

Converging Ridges

Delta

• triangular region located near a loop is called a delta

divergent ridges

dot

• An isolated ridge unit whose length approximates its width in size

ending ridges

• A single friction ridge that terminates within the friction ridge structure

Island / Lake / Enclosure • A single friction ridge that

bifurcates and rejoins after a short course and continues as a single friction ridge

Sometimes called an Eye

short ridges

• Friction ridges of varying lengths

Spur / Hook

• A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge

Trifurcation

• The point at which one friction ridge divides into three friction ridges

Damage - Scar

• A Scar on the finger interferes with print ridges, but creates a new unique print

Damage – Psoriasis Named from the Greek word for “itch”, psoriasis is a persistent skin condition. The skin becomes inflamed, producing red, thickened areas with silvery scales

Damage – Fragmenting

• The center of the print is fragmenting

Make a Foldable: (Yes, for a grade) Fold paper in half long-ways. Then cut 10 times on front half. First tab is title: Fingerprint Minutiae. For each tab below, write the name of each minutia, it’s symbol, and a brief definition

1. Bifurcation / Double Bifurcation

2. Bridge 3. Converging Ridges 4. Delta 5. divergent ridges 6. dot 7. Island / Lake / Enclosure 8. short ridges 9. Spur / Hook 10. Trifurcation

Minutiae (mi-nu-shay) is the plural of minutia (mi-nu-sha). It means “very, very small”.

Animal fingerprints

• Gorillas can grasp things with both their hands and their feet. They are capable of grasping these objects because they have ridges on their feet and hands that help them grip things. These ridges are formed in unique patterns and cause gorillas to have fingerprints of their own

• The Koala has fingerprints that are so similar to the human fingerprint that it is almost impossible to tell them apart. Under the microscope, the ridges look exactly the same. The main difference is that the entire human palm and fingers are covered with ridges while the koala only has ridges on its fingertips and some parts of the palm.

Which print belongs to a… human? chimpanzee? koala bear?

Which print belongs to a… human? chimpanzee? koala bear?

Human

Koala Bear

Chimpanzee

Test Yourself!

Test Yourself!

Test Yourself!

Test Yourself!

A – Broken Ridges

B – Bifurcation

C – Island

D – Delta

E – Ridge Ending

Fingerprint Building, Thailand Is this a Loop, Whorl, or Arch?