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Fingerprinting Notes

The History of Fingerprinting

· Francis Galton published his book "Finger Prints" (1892) which stated:
· there are three types of fingerprint patterns
· prints are unique to each individual
· prints do not change over time
· A classification system that allowed the filing of many thousands of fingerprints was developed in 1891
· The first systematic and official use of fingerprints in the United States was in New York City for the Civil Service Commission in 1891.
· In 1924, the fingerprint records of the Bureau of Investigation and Leavenworth Prison merged to form identification records at the FBI. This is the largest collection of fingerprints in the world.

Fingerprints are made when oil from the body is mixed with other body sweat and dirt. When you then touch something, these adhere or stick to the surface of the object.

Fingerprint Patterns

· arch patterns have lines that start at one side of the print and then move toward the center of the print and leave on the other side of the print

· whorl patterns have a lot of circles that do not exit on either side of the print

· loop patterns have lines that start at one side of the print and then move toward the center of the print and leave on the same side of the print they started on

Types of fingerprints left at crime scenes

· visible prints are fingerprints that one can see with the naked eye

· latent prints are fingerprints that are invisible

· plastic prints are fingerprints that leave an impression on objects such as soap or wax

Methods used to obtain fingerprints

· Ink pad or pencil smudge
· dusting
· impression
· fuming with super glue