Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis
Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis
Simplified Guide To Fingerprint Analysis
Fingerprint Analysis
We touch things every day: a coffee cup, a car door, a computer keyboard. Each time we do, it is likely
that we leave behind our unique signature—in our fingerprints.
No two people have exactly the same fingerprints. Even identical twins, with identical DNA, have
different fingerprints. This uniqueness allows fingerprints to be used in all sorts of ways, including for
background checks, biometric security, mass disaster identification, and of course, in criminal situations.
Fingerprint analysis has been used to identify suspects and solve crimes for more than 100 years, and it
remains an extremely valuable tool for law enforcement. One of the most important uses for
fingerprints is to help investigators link one crime scene to another involving the same person.
Fingerprint identification also helps investigators to track a criminal’s record, their previous arrests and
convictions, to aid in sentencing, probation, parole and pardoning decisions.
Fingerprints are unique patterns, made by friction ridges (raised) and furrows (recessed), which appear
on the pads of the fingers and thumbs. Prints from palms, toes and feet are also unique; however, these
are used less often for identification, so this guide focuses on prints from the fingers and thumbs.
The fingerprint pattern, such as the print left when an inked finger is pressed onto paper, is that of the
friction ridges on that particular finger. Friction ridge patterns are grouped into three distinct types—
loops, whorls, and arches—each with unique variations, depending on the shape and relationship of the
ridges:
Loops - prints that recurve back on themselves to form a loop shape. Divided into radial loops (pointing
toward the radius bone, or thumb) and ulnar loops (pointing toward the ulna bone, or pinky), loops
account for approximately 60 percent of pattern types.
Whorls - form circular or spiral patterns, like tiny whirlpools. There are four groups of whorls: plain
(concentric circles), central pocket loop (a loop with a whorl at the end), double loop (two loops that
create an S-like pattern) and accidental loop (irregular shaped). Whorls make up about 35 percent of
pattern types.
Arches - create a wave-like pattern and include plain arches and tented arches. Tented arches rise to a
sharper point than plain arches. Arches make up about five percent of all pattern types.
To Each His Own
The two underlying premises of fingerprint identification are uniqueness and persistence (permanence).
To date, no two people have ever been found to have the same fingerprints—including identical twins.
In addition, no single person has ever been found to have the same fingerprint on multiple fingers.
Persistence, also referred to as permanence, is the principle that a person’s fingerprints remain
essentially unchanged throughout their lifetime. As new skin cells form, they remain cemented in the
existing friction ridge and furrow pattern. In fact, many people have conducted research that confirms
this persistency by recording the same fingerprints over decades and observing that the features remain
the same. Even attempts to remove or damage one’s fingerprints will be thwarted when the new skin
grows, unless the damage is extremely deep, in which case, the new arrangement caused by the damage
will now persist and is also unique.
Analysts use the general pattern type (loop, whorl or arch) to make initial comparisons and include or
exclude a known fingerprint from further analysis. To match a print, the analyst uses the minutiae, or
ridge characteristics, to identify specific points on a suspect fingerprint with the same information in a
known fingerprint. For example, an analyst comparing a crime scene print to a print on file would first
gather known prints with the same general pattern type, then using a loupe, compare the prints side-by-
side to identify specific information within the minutiae that match. If enough details correlate, the
fingerprints are determined to be from the same person.
When and when is fingerprint analysis
used?
Fingerprints can be used in all sorts of ways:
In the absence of DNA, fingerprints are used by the criminal justice system to
verify a convicted offender’s identity and track their previous arrests and
convictions, criminal tendencies, known associates and other useful information.
Officers of the court can also use these records to help make decisions regarding
a criminal’s sentence, probation, parole or pardon.
Latent prints are formed when the body’s natural oils and sweat on the skin are
deposited onto another surface. Latent prints can be found on a variety of
surfaces; however, they are not readily visible and detection often requires the
use of fingerprint powders, chemical reagents or alternate light sources.
Generally speaking, the smoother and less porous a surface is, the greater the
potential that any latent prints present can be found and developed.
One of the most common methods for discovering and collecting latent
fingerprints is by dusting a smooth or nonporous surface with fingerprint
powder (black granular, aluminum flake, black magnetic, etc.). If any prints
appear, they are photographed as mentioned above and then lifted from the
surface with clear adhesive tape. The lifting tape is then placed on a latent lift
card to preserve the print.
However, fingerprint powders can contaminate the evidence and ruin the
opportunity to perform other techniques that could turn up a hidden print or
additional information. Therefore, investigators may examine the area with an
alternate light source or apply cyanoacrylate (super glue) before using powders.
Using a fluorescent dye stain and an orange alternate light source helps this latent print appear clearly so that it can
be documented. (Courtesy of Scott Campbell, Ron Smith & Associates)
Use of various alternate light sources may help enhance the appearance of a fingerprint. (Courtesy of Scott
Campbell, Ron Smith & Associates)
Super glue fumes adhere to latent fingerprints on the neck of a glass bottle. (Courtesy of Scott Campbell, Ron Smith
& Associates)