Forensic Science

Forensic Science

Galton Details Notes

Fingerprints as Evidence

PARTNER DISCUSSION: Why are fingerprint patterns (loop, arch, whorl) considered class evidence? What would have to make it individual evidence?

Levels of Classifying Fingerprints

The3 levels of fingerprint classification:

1) ______matching (a ______characteristic—loop, arch, whorl),

2) ______, and

3) ______patterns (#2 and #3 can both be used to ______a print).

The Science of Ridges

  ______: The study of the uniqueness of ______ridge structures and their use for personal identification.

  As we have learned in our first lesson, a fingerprint is made of a series of ridges and valleys on the surface of the finger. The uniqueness of a fingerprint can be determined by the pattern of ridges and valleys as well as the ______, which are points where the ridge structure changes.

Did You Know? The ______is one of the few mammals (other than primates) that has fingerprints. In fact, ______fingerprints are remarkably similar to human fingerprints; even with an ______, it can be quite difficult to distinguish between the two.

The Galton Details

·  The ridges of friction skin are ______, but rather, contain numerous interruptions – the ______.

·  These details are more commonly called "______" or "______" and consist of three basic types:

1)______

2)______(a ridge that divides)

3)______(or islands)

·  These "______" or "points" are randomly scattered during friction ridge skin formation and their position, like all components of friction ridge skin, are ______from one individual to the next or from one finger to the next.

·  Though a ______minimum number of points are ______in order to make an identification, the ______are usually ______when an identification is made.

Fingerprint Identification

  When minutiae on two different prints match, these are called points of ______or points of ______. At this point there is ______international standard for the number of points of identification required for a match between two fingerprints. However, the United Kingdom requires a minimum ______points while Australia requires ______.

  AFIS (______) is a computerized system capable of reading, classifying, matching, and storing fingerprints for criminal justice agencies.Quality ______are entered into the AFIS for a search for possible matches against the state maintained databases for fingerprint records to help establish the ______of unknown deceased persons or suspects in a criminal case.

Galton Details & Ridge Characteristics

Identifying Ridge Characteristics

Balloon Prints

Which ridge structures were most common in your fingerprints?

Which ridge structures were most common in your group?

Were there any structures that were not found in any of the fingerprints?