PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES

Accidental Whorl (X) - It is a fingerprint pattern which is a combination of two or more different
types of pattern except the Plain Arch. It can be a combination of a loop and a whorl, a loop
and a central pocket loop whorl, or any combination of two or more different loops and whorl
type patterns.

Alphonse Bertillon - He devised the first truly scientific method of criminal identification in
Paris France called anthropometry or Bertillonage. He conceived the idea of using anatomical
measurements to distinguish one criminal from another. He decided to use various body
measurements such as head length, head breadth, length of left middle finger, length of the
left cubit (forearm)/ length of left foot, body height, face breadth, face height and other
descriptions including features such as scars and hair and eye color to distinguish criminals.

Anthropometry - A system of identification of individuals by measurements of the parts of the

body developed by Alphonse Bertillon.

Approximating Patterns - Patterns with extreme complexities in their formations, which

cannot be assigned definite and specific interpretation.

Arch - A pattern in which the ridges flow from one side to the other side without recurving. It
has no delta and core. Its frequency of appearance in all fingers is five percent (5%)

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) - A computer system used to store

fingerprint data, whether criminal or non-criminal. The system provides speedy and accurate
matching of the identity of an
individual through a questioned latent print collected from a stored data. It is also the answer
to the long process of manually comparing crime scene latent prints with collected fingerprints.
The machine electronically captures fingerprint images and textual information to form of
fingerprints enabling faster database identification of suspects and resolution of crimes.

Ball Zone - A large cushion below the base of the big toe, in this zone may appear loops,
whorls, or combination of them.

Bichromatic - A multi-colored powder used to process an object with the purpose of visualizing
friction ridge detail. To avoid damaging a latent print, powders are best applied with a camel
hair of fiberglass brush.

Bifurcation Or Bifurcating Ridge - A single ridge which splits into two ridges forming a "y"
shape formation or structure.

Blocking - It is the process of writing below each fingerprint pattern the corresponding symbol
of its name.

Bulb of the Fingers - The portion of the friction skin on the tips of the fingers, thumbs, and
toes in the digital phalanx, from
side of the nail to the opposite side of the nail.
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Calcar Zone - The area at the heel. Very infrequently do patterns show in this zone, it's usually
ridge formation consisting more than latitudinal striations.

Catch or Ident - The location or finding of a previously filed duplicate record card of the subject.

Pocket Loop Whorl (C) - A fingerprint pattern that consists of at least one recurving ridge or
an obstruction at right angle to the line of flow with two deltas, between which when an
imaginary line is drawn no recurving ridge within the inner pattern area is cut or touched.

Chance Impression - Fingerprints which are imprinted by mere chance or without any
intention to produce the print.

Cheiloscopy - Examination of lip prints which may serve as to identify an individualized

persons.

Chiroscopy - It was derived from the Greek words: cheir - a hand, and skopien - to examine,
It is a science of dactyloscopy which deals with the study of the palms of the hand.

Class Characteristics - Refers to those characteristics that can be possessed by more than
one print.

Classification Formula - It is the result of combining all the patterns of the fingerprints and
recording them in a specific order or manner at the top right of the fingerprint card. It represents
the patterns of all ten fingers of both hands. Combined. The classification formula is composed
of the following divisions; Primary classification (PC), Secondary classification (SC), Sub-
secondary classification: (SSC), Final classification (FC), Major classification (MC), and Key
classification (KC).

Combination - All the possible variations of classification for a set of prints may produce.
Example; A loop maybe inner or outer, the "I" and "O" therefore are combinations.

Comparison of Prints - The friction ridge structure (latent impression) is then compared to the
exemplars.

Composite - Fingerprint patterns in which combinations of the tented arch, loop, and whorl are
found on the same print.

Converging Ridge - A ridge with two or more lies forming an angle, a ridge whose closed end
15 angular and serves as a point of convergence.

Core - It is a point on a ridge formation usually located at the center or heart of a pattern. It is
the approximate center of the pattern. The core is also known as inner terminus.

Core and Delta - Are the focal points of fingerprint patterns except in arch pattern.

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Creases - A ridge characteristic that that consist of thin, usually straight narrow white lines
running transversely or formed side to side, across the print, causing the puckering of the
ridges.

Dactylography - A scientific study of fingerprints as member means identification.

Dactylomancy - Study of the character or behavior through the use of fingerprints.

Dactyloscopy - It came from greek word "Dactylos" a finger and skopein to examine it refers
to identification of person through examination comparison of finger print.

Dactylos - a finger and Skopien - to examine. It refers to the identification of persons through
examination and comparison of fingerprint.

Delta or Triradial Point - It a point on the first ridge formation at or directly in front or near the
center of the divergence of the type lines. The delta is also known as outer terminus.

Dermatoglyphics - The study of the surface markings of the skin; friction ridges.

Developing - The process of applying powder to the print in such a way that the fine particles
will adhere to the moisture left by the ridges of the finger.

Discrepancy - A difference in two ridge impressions due to different sources of the impression.

Dissociated Ridges - Unusual ridge structures having well-defined patterns; the ridge are
extremely short which never got very far, never fused and are a series of "patches" caused by
disturbance of developmental process at the early fetal (prenatal) life of the individual.

Distal - Manifested when the exit of a loop formation points toward the fingertips.

Diverging Ridges - A ridge characteristic that consist of two ridges running side by side and
suddenly separating, one ridge going one way and the other ridge, another way.

Dot Ridge - A ridge which resembles a point.

Double Loop Whorl (D) - A fingerprint pattern consisting of two (2) separate and distinct loop
formations. One of the loops surrounds or overlaps the other, also called Composite Pattern.
Two or more loops in a double loop whorl need not comply with all the requirements for a plain
loop pattern and that no ridge count Is necessary for both loops in the formation.

Ducts - These are little pockets underneath the skin where oils or sweats are carried by small
holes to the surface of the skin.

Edgeoscopy - This was first presented in 1962 by Salil Chatterjee of India. Chatterjee
envisioned an identification process where characteristics along the ridge edge would
be compared and evaluated for comparison purposes.

Edward Richard Henry - He developed "The Henry Classification" in India. The

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Henry Classification System started what is considered the modern era of fingerprint
identification which is the basis for most of the classification presently used. The system was
so applicable that Henry emerged as the "Father of Fingerprints," at least as the first man to
successfully apply fingerprints for identification.

Enclosure - Also known as Island, Eyelet, lake or Eye. It is a single ridge which bifurcates
where the bifurcating ridges converge at a certain point to form again into a single ridge.

Envelop - It is a single recurving ridge enclosing one or more rods or bars.

Even Fingers - The even fingers are 2 (right index finger), 4 (right ring finger), 6 (left thumb),
8 (left middle finger), and 10 (left little finger).

Fabricated Latent Print - A representation of print that never existed on the surface from
which it purportedly came. A fabricated print is fabricated evidence produced by a police
employee in order to bolster a case or frame a person.

Filing - Operation of locating the proper place in a fingerprint file where a certain set belongs
then depositing it there.

Filing Out - Entering on a fingerprint record card of all known essential data about a subject,
except the fingerprint themselves.

Final Classification - It is the ridge count on the loop (ulnar and radial) appearing in the right
little finger.

Fingerprint - It is a composite of the ridge outlines which appears on the skin surface of the
bulbs on the inside of the end of joints of the fingers and thumbs. It is already formed about 3
to 4 months of the intra-uterine life and remain unchanged throughout life until the final stage
of decomposition after death.

Fingerprint Analysis - It is the identifying and distinguishing of fingerprint pattern according

to their design and formation.

Fingerprint Card - Is a square one, measuring 8" X 8". It is printed on a sturdy stock so as to
withstand the wear and tear of filing and searching that fingerprint cards undergo.

Fingerprint Classification Index - A series of guide cards having tabs on which are the
various classification combinations.
Forged Latent Print - Is one which actually exists on a surface, but was not left by the person
whose fingerprint it represents. A forged print

Friction Ridges - These are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of the fingers and
thumbs. They are also called papillary ridges or epidermal ridges.

Furrows - Are depressions or canals between the ridges which maybe compared with the low
area in a tire tread.

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Generoso Reyes - The first Filipino fingerprint technician employed by the Philippine
Constabulary.

Incipient or Nascent Ridge - A ridge which is madly formed, thin, short or broken which
appears in the depressions between two well-formed ridges.

Inner Whorl (I) - One in which the ridge whose course being traced from the left delta to the
right delta passes inside (above) the right delta with three or more ridges intervening between
the traced ridge and the right delta.

Intervening Ridges - The number of friction ridges between two characteristics.

Invisible Print - A type of latent print whose markings are caused by the sweat that left on the
surface whenever our fingers touch an object.

Iodine Fuming - A technique in which crystals of iodine are exposed to heat source for the
purpose of revealing latent fingerprints.

Island Ridge - Resembles a dot and has only single pore.

J.C.A. Mayer - He stated in his book (Anatomische Kupfert Fein Nebst Dazu Geharigen) that
although the arrangement of the skin ridges is never duplicated in two persons, nevertheless,
the similarities are closer among some individuals. He found that the fingerprints of two persons
are never alike (Principle of Individuality). His paper on fingerprint clearly addressed the
individuality of the friction ridges.

Jennings, Thomas - He was the first person to be convicted of murder in the United States
based on fingerprint. In 1911, Jennings appealed his conviction to the Illinois Supreme Court
questioning the admissibility of fingerprint evidence. The Illinois Supreme Court upheid his
conviction concluding that fingerprint evidence Is admissible and is a reliable form of
identification. Thomas Jennings was sentenced to death and executed on Feb. 16, 1912 for
the murder of Clarence B. Hiller,

Johannes Evangelist Purkinje - He was known as the Father of Dactyloscopy." A

Czechoslovakian professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau, published a thesis in Latin
(Commentio de Examine Physiogico Organi Visus Et Systematis Cutansi - A Commentary of
the Physiological Examination System: Dec. 22, 1823, Breslau, Germany) describing the
ridges, giving them names and established certain rules for classification (nine groups). He
classified nine principal configuration groups of fingerprints and assigned each a name.

John Dellinger - A notorious gangster and a police character, attempted to erase his
fingerprints by burning them with acid but as time went by the ridges were again restored to
their "natural" feature. The acid he applied temporarily destroyed the epidermis of the bulbs of
his fingers. As long as the dermis of the bulbs of the fingers are not completely destroyed, the
fingerprints ill always remain unchanged and indestructible.

Juan Vucetich - An Argentinean police official, installed fingerprints files as an official means
of criminal identification. He based his system of the pattern typed by Sir Francis Galton. He
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also claimed the first official criminal identification by means of fingerprints left at the scene of
crime.

Key Classification - It represents the ridge count of the right first loop appearing in a set of
prints, beginning with the thumb of the right hand but excluding the little finger. In case no loops
appear in a set of prints except in the little fingers, ridge count on the first whorl is applied. If
no loop or whorl appears, key is not obtainable.

Known Print - A recording of an individual's friction ridges with black ink, electronic images,
photography, or other medium on a contrasting background.

Latent Prints - Are those markings usually rather indistinct, left by the oily matters or
perspiration exuded from the finger tips or palms upon any substances which the fingers/palms
may have touched.

Lateral Pocket Loop - Patterns whose core points have their exits on the same side of the
deltas.

Loop - A fingerprint pattern in which one or more ridges enter upon either side, recurve, touch
or pass an imaginary line between delta and core and pass out or tend to pass out upon the
side the ridge entered. There are two types of loop namely; Radial loop and Ulnar loop. It
occurs in about 60% to 65% of all fingerprints.

Major Case Prints - A systematic recording of all friction ridge detail appearing on the palmar
sides of the hands. This includes the extreme sides of the palms, joints, tips, and sides of the
fingers.

Major Classification - This represents only the thumb of each hand. It is the ridge count of the
loop and/or the tracing of the whorl appearing in the thumb of each hand (if such whoris
appear).

Make - Refers to the fact that identification has been made.

Marcelo Malpighi - He was known as the "Grandfather of Dactyloscopy" according to Dr.

Edmond Locard, the "Father of Poroscopy." He originated the terms "loops and spirals."

Meeting Whorl (M) - One in which the ridge whose course being traced from the left delta
toward the right delta exactly meets the right delta or passes inside or outside (over or under)
the right delta with not more than two ridges intervening between them.

Minutiae - Small details.

Non-Numerical - In primary classification, the non-numerical group is composed of sets of

prints in which no whorls are present.

Numerical - In primary classification, it is the numerical group is composed of set of prints

containing whorl pattern.

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Odd Fingers - The odd fingers are; 1 (right thumb), 3 (right middle finger), 5 (right little finger),
7 (left index finger), and 9 (left ring finger).

Outer Whorl (0) - One in which the ridge whose course being traced from the left delta toward
the right delta passes outside (under) the right delta with not less than three ridges intervening.

Pairing Off - Method of arranging a set of fingerprints so that all numerator fingers or
denominator fingers or values are below the line.

Palm Pattern Zone - These are parts of the human palms containing friction ridge
characteristics where palm print identification is based.

Patent Prints - Friction ridge impressions of known origin which are obvious to the human eye
and are caused by a transfer of foreign material on the finger, onto a surface. Because they
are already visible they need no would be a latent print planted at the crime scene by the true
criminal in other to fool the police. Enhancement, and are photographed instead of being lifted

Pattern Area - It is the part of a fingerprint pattern in which the core, delta and ridges appear
enclosed by the type lines.

Pattern Formations - Friction ridge skin arrangement formed as early as the third month of
gestation.

Pattern Interpretation Process of designation of names of fingerprint patterns.

People of the Philippine vs. Medina - The first conviction based on fingerprint and led to the
judicial decision in jurisprudence on the Philippine December 23, 1933, It accepted ten (10)
points or identical ridge characteristics.
Personal Identification - Is defined as the process, or techniques, or approaches, or means of
establishing the identity of a particular person.

Plain Arch (A) - A fingerprint pattern where ridges enter on one side of the pattern and flow
towards the other side with a rise at the center with not more than one of the four (4) essential
requisites for loop pattern and with no recurving ridge, no angular formation and no upward
thrust.

Plain Impression - A type of finger impression which requires that the fingers be taken or
printed simultaneously, then the thumb without rolling.

Plain Whorl (W) - A fingerprint pattern that consists of two (2) deltas and in which at least one
ridge makes a turn through one complete circuit, an imaginary line drawn between the two (2)
deltas must touch or cross at least one (1) of the circuiting whorl ridges within the pattern area.

Plaridel Educational Institution (PEI) - Now the Philippine College of Criminology (PCCr),
Manila is the first governmental recognized school to teach the science of fingerprints and other
police sciences

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Plastic Prints - A friction ridge impression from a finger or palm (or toe/foot) deposited in a
material that retains the shape of the ridge details. Eg. Cellophane tapes or any plastic
materials.

Pockets - The fingerprint cards are grouped according to the classification formula and the
classification of the extension used in the bureau.

Podoscopy - It was derived from the Greek words: podo - foot, and skopien - to examine. It is
a science of dactyloscopy which deals with the study of the sole of the foot.

Points - Refers to the identical characteristics that are found in fingerprints from known and
questioned sources.

Polydactyl - He is person who has more finger/s than normal.

Pore - An opening that is present along surface of the friction ridges.

Poroscopy - It was derived from the Greek words: poros - pores, and skopien - to examine. It
is a science of dactyloscopy which covers the study of the sweat pores found in the friction
skin.

Post-Mortem Fingerprinting Taking fingerprints of a deceased person for identification

purposes.

Primary Classification - It is the sum total of all numerical values of whorls and its composite
plus the arbitrary count 1/1.

Principle of Individuality - There are no two fingerprints that are exactly alike unless taken
from the same finger.

Principle of Infallibility - That fingerprint is a reliable means of personal identification and all
courts accept and adopt fingerprint as a means of personal identification, or simply, it will not
fail.

Principle of Permanency - The configuration and details of individual ridges remain constant
and unchanging till after the final decomposition of the body.

Qualitative - The clarity of information contained within a friction ridge impression.

Quantitative - The amount of information contained within a friction ridge impression.

Questionable Patterns - These are patterns that do not have definite identification. These
patterns may seem to have characteristics of two or more types of fingerprint patterns.
Radial Loop (R) - A fingerprint pattern in which the ridges run its direction to the radius bone
or to the thumb. If it appears in the right hand is indicated by a slant, or mark, thus (/), or (N) if
the radial loop appears in the left hand.

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Real Impressions - These are impressions of the finger bulbs with the use of the printing ink
on the surface of the paper. Any other coloring materials may be used but less visible and
indelible.

Recording - Placing the prints in their proper places on the card.

Recurving Ridge - It is a ridge that curves back in the direction in which it started.

Reference Classification - A second choice classification from set of points having

approximating or disputed patterns.

Ridge - Literally may refer to a long, narrow chain of hills or mountains. Or, it refers to the long
and narrow upper edge, angle, or crest of something, as a hill.

Ridge Counter - A small pointed instrument used for counting ridges.

Ridge Counting - It is the process of counting the intervening ridges that touch or cross an
imaginary line drawn between the core and the delta.

Ridge Ending - Located just the abrupt end of a ridge formation, whether the ending points up
or down in a fingerprint pattern.

Ridge Tracing - It is the process of tracing the ridges that emanate from the lower side of the
left delta towards the right delta to see where it flows in relation to the right delta.

Ridgeology - It is a method of evaluating all friction ridge structure.

Rod or Bar - It is a single ending ridge at the center of a recurving ridge of a loop pattern.

Rolled Impression - A type of finger impression which requires that the thumb be rolled
towards and fingers away from the center of the subjects body.

Scarf Skin - Dry or dead skin which has scaled and peeled away from the surface skin.

Searching - The act of looking through a fingerprint file systematically to determine whether or
not there is a duplicate on file of a set of prints the technician has in hand.

Secondary Classification - It is the exhibition of the capital letters symbol of A, T, R, U, W, C,

D, X on the indexes of both hands the numerator indicates the type of pattern appearing on the
index finger of the right hand. The denominator indicates the type pattern appearing on the
index finger of the left hand.

Semi-Visible Print - AKA "Plastic or mold prints". A type of latent print marked on the surface
whenever our fingers touch soft object like wax or candle.
Sequencing - The placing of a group of classified sets of prints in their correct filing order
before beginning to file or search them.

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Short Ridge - An indefinite term in that there is no specific length at which a ridge stops being
short and becomes long.

Shoulder of a Loop - It is that point at which the recurving ridge definitely turns or curves.

Sir Francis Galton -noted British anthropologist and a cousin of scientist Charles Darwin
began his observations of FP as a means of identification. In 1892, he Publish his book,
"FINGERPRINTS", establishing the individuality and permanency of FP. He proposed three
pattern types: loops, whorls and arches.

Spike - An ending ridge at the center of a pattern which forms an upthrust.

Staple - It is single recurving ridge at the center of the pattern area.

Sub-Secondary Classification - It refers to the grouping of prints according to the ridge count
of loops and ridge tracing on whorls. Ridge counts are translated into small and large,
represented by symbols "I" (Inner) and "O" (Outer) for the loops. The whorl tracings are brought
up as "I" (Inner), "M" (Meeting) or "O" (Outer).

Sufficient Recurve - It is the space between shoulders of a loop, free of any appendage, and
a butting at right angle.

Tented Arch (T) - A fingerprint pattern where the ridge formations are not as simple as those
of the plain arch, also considered Transitional Pattern between a plain arch and a loop. It
possesses either an angle, an up thrust or two of the three basic characteristics of the loop,

Trifurcation - A ridge characteristics where two bifurcations develop next to each other on the
same ridge.

Twin Loops - The ridges containing the core points have their exits on different sides.

Type Lines - Are two innermost ridges which start parallel, diverge, and surround or tend to
surround the pattern area. They serve as basic boundaries of a fingerprint pattern.

Ulnar Loop (U) - A fingerprint pattern in which the ridges run its direction toward the ulna bone
or little fingers.

Upthrust - An ending ridge of any length rising at a sufficient degree from the horizontal plane.

Visible Print - A type of latent print left on the surface when our fingers are smeared with any
colored substances such as wet paint, blood, oil or dust.

Whorl - A pattern in which the formation of the ridges are usually circular or spiral. Whorl
pattern will have two or more deltas. All deltas and the areas between them must be recorded.
It occurs in about 30% of all fingerprints.

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William J. Herschel - He is known as the Father of Chiroscopy. He is credited as being the
first European to recognize the value of friction ridge points and to actually use them for
identification purposes.