Forensic Fingerprinting Lesson

​Fingerprint Ten Card

and Matching!

​Forensic Science

​Mr. Renteria

Poll

Start your search!!

• I found them all!

• And I oop...

​Fingerprint Patterns

• ​There are three main fingerprint patterns

• ​These patterns can be determined by using deltas

  • ​A delta is a "Y" shaped pattern formed by the divergence of ridges

• ​These Patterns are:

  • ​Loops - contains 1 delta

  • ​Arches - contains no deltas

  • ​Whorls - contains 2 deltas

Multiple Choice

How many Deltas does each fingerprint pattern have

• Arches: 0

  Loops: 2

  Whorls: 1

• Arches: 0

  Loops: 1

  Whorls: 2

• Arches: 2

  Loops: 2

  Whorls: 1

• Arches: 1

  Loops: 3

  Whorls: 2

Fingerprint Patterns - Loops

• ​A loop pattern has one or more ridges entering from one side, curving, and then leaving the same side from which it began

• Loops can be identified as either an ulnar loop or a radial loop

  • ​Radial Loops open towards the thumb

  • ​Ulnar Loops open away from the thumb

​Fingerprint Patterns - Arches

• Ridges that enter on one side of the finger and cross to the other side while rising upward in the middle.

• There are two subgroups:

  • Plain Arch - the ridge moves from one side of the print to the other with no significant changes

  • ​Tented Arch - Arch that appears to have a spike in the center

​Fingerprint Patterns - Whorls

​Contains two deltas and there are several subgroups:

Plain Whorl: Has two symmetrical deltas and a complete circuit

Central Pocket Whorl: Has two deltas and a complete circuit; The deltas are not symmetrical, and one side seems to be stretched like elastic

Double Loop Whorl: Has two loops and two deltas

Accidental Whorl: Combination or two different types of patterns; contains two or more deltas; can have no pattern

Multiple Choice

True or False?

The ridges of a radial loop exits AWAY from the thumb.

• TRUE

• FALSE

Multiple Choice

Which Fingerprint pattern is shown in the picture

• Loop

• Whorl

• Arch

Multiple Choice

Which picture displays a Central Pocket Whorl?

​Fingerprint Activity - Matching!

• ​In groups of 4-5, you will work together to study both sets of prints; you will need to find:

  • ​Print pattern

  • ​# of deltas

  • ​Two-three ridge characteristics

• ​​After Identifying the print pattern, # of deltas, and features you and your group must match the unknown print cards to the known set of prints.

• ​Each Print has ONE match

​Creating your own Ten Card!

• ​Alongside your group members, you will create your own individual Ten Card!

• ​You will need to print all ten fingers and two finger sets.

• ​For individual prints follow the rolling method by putting the side of your finger on the card and rolling flat and then to the opposite side.

• ​For fingerprint sets, DO NOT use rolling method.