Chapter 4: Fingerprints: History and Anatomy

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Chapter 4 FingerprintsHistory and Anatomy
Fingerprints can not lie, but liars can make
fingerprints. Unknown
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History

• Alphonse Bertillonproposed body measurements as
  a means of identification termed ? anthropometry

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Anthropometry the study of human body
measurements
There were eleven measurements Height Stretch
Length of body from left shoulder
to right middle finger when arm is
raised Bust Length of torso from head to seat,
taken when seated Length of head Crown
to forehead Width of head Temple to temple
Length of right ear Length of left foot Length
of left middle finger Length of left cubit
Elbow to tip of
middle finger Width of cheeks Length of left
little finger
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Anthropometry Proved Wrong

• Look at book on page 62

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DactyloscopyThe study of fingerprints

• Historically
• William Herschelrequired Indians to put their
  fingerprints/palm prints on contracts as a means
  of frightening the businessmen from committing
  fraud

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History

• Henry Faulds ?claimed that fingerprints did not
  change over time and that they could be
  classified for identification
• He is also credited with the first fingerprint
  identification of a greasy fingerprint left on an
  alcohol bottle

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History

• Francis Galton ? developed a primary
  classification scheme based on loops, arches and
  whorls.
• Published a book Fingerprints establishing the
  individuality and permanence of fingerprints
• According to his calculations, the odds of two
  individual fingerprints being the same were 1 in
  64 billion.

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History

• Edward Richard Henryin collaboration with Galton
  instituted a numerical classification system

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History

• Juan Vucetichdeveloped a fingerprint
  classification based on Galtons that is used in
  Spanish-speaking countries
• Juan Vucetich made the first criminal fingerprint
  identification in 1892. He was able to identify
  Francis Rojas, a woman who murdered her two sons
  and cut her own throat in an attempt to place
  blame on another.  Her bloody print was left on a
  door post, proving her identity as the murderer.

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What Are Ridge Patterns?

• Fingerprints are formed in utero
• Three theories as to why we have them
• Evolutionary development that provides better
  grip
• Makes perspiration easier on a hairless surface
• Improves the sense of touch
• Apes and monkeys have ridge patterns on fingers
  and toes

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Anatomy of a Fingerprint

• Consists of two main layers
• Epidermis (outer layer) contains the physical
  fingerprint
• ?Outer layer of epidermis is dead
• ?Inner layer of epidermis is living
• Dermis (inner layer)
• Contains collagen fibers, blood vessels, nerve
  endings, glands, sensory receptors, smooth
  muscles, and hair follicles
• Underneath dermis is a layer of fat called the
  hypodermis

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Anatomy of a Fingerprint

• Dermis contains sweat and sebaceous (oil) glands
• ? Sweat glands help control body temperature
• ? Sebaceous glands produce oils called sebum
• Helps keep epidermis flexible and waterproof
• The sweat and oils sit on the ridges and then are
  transferred to an object when touched.

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Anatomy of a Fingerprint

• ?Dermal papillae separates the epidermis from the
  dermis
• If an injury occurs above the papillae,
  fingerprint will be replaced
• If an injury across the papillae, scar will
  mostly occur and fingerprint will be slightly
  altered

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Fingerprint Alterations

• A change to a fingerprint can be purposeful or
  accidental

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John Dillinger

• Infamous Depression-era bank robber who tried to
  destroy his own fingerprints by pouring acid on
  them
• DIDNT WORK they still caught him

http//www.fbi.gov/about-us/history/famous-cases/j
ohn-dillinger
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Fundamental Principlesof Fingerprints

• ? A fingerprint is an individual characteristic.
• ? A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an
  individuals lifetime.
• ?Fingerprints have general characteristic ridge
  patterns that permit them to be systematically
  classified.

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Loop 60-65

• ?A loop must have one or more ridges entering and
  exiting from the same side. Loops must have one
  delta.
• Types
• Radialopens toward the thumb
• Ulnaropens toward the pinky (little finger)
• Which type of loop is this, if it is on the right
  hand? Left hand?

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Whorl 30-35

• ?A plain or central pocket whorl has at least one
  ridge that makes a complete circuit. A double
  loop is made of two loops. An accidental is a
  pattern not covered by other categories. Whorls
  have at least two deltas and a core.
• Types
• Plain
• Central Pocket
• Double Loop
• Accidental

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Arch approximately 5

• ? An arch has friction ridges that enter on one
  side of the finger and cross to the other side
  while rising upward in the middle. They do NOT
  have type lines, deltas, or cores.
• Types
• Plain
• Tented

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Ridge Characteristics

• Minutiae ? characteristics of ridge patterns

• Ridge ending
• Short ridge
• Dot or fragment
• Bifurcation
• Double bifurcation
• Trifurcation
• Bridge
• Island
• Enclosure
• Spur

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Fingerprint Minutiae
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