Identifying Fingerprints

Fingerprint Classification

Learning Intention

• To learn different fingerprinting classifications.

  
  

• To learn how fingerprints are collected and analysed to identify a suspect 

Fingerprint Principles

• A fingerprint is an individual characteristic because no two fingers have yet been found to  possess identical ridge characteristics 

Multiple Choice

True or False:

A fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual’s lifetime

• True

• False

• Mathematically, the probability for the existence of two identical fingerprint patterns in the world is extremely small.

millions upon millions of individuals have had their prints classified and no two fingerprints have been found to be identical!!

Multiple Select

Select all correct answers:

The individuality of a fingerprint is determined by which of the following:

• General shape/pattern

• Studying the ridge characteristics

• The individuality of a fingerprint is determined by carefully studying its ridge characteristics, known as minutiae.

• Minutiae—characteristics of ridge patterns

Ridge Characteristics

Multiple Choice

A good fingerprint will have approximately how many minutiae?

• 10 - 15

• 20 - 35

• 40 - 100

Multiple Choice

What pattern does this fingerprint represent?

• Loop

• Whorl

• Arch