Forensic Fingerprinting

Multiple Choice

Why are fingerprints considered significant in forensic science?

• Because they are unique to each individual

• Because they change frequently

• Because they are easy to erase

• Because they are only found on criminals

Multiple Choice

Which scientist was the first to describe fingerprint ridges?

• Purkinje

• Grew

• Galton

• Faulds

Open Ended

Explain how fingerprints are used to identify unknown bodies and victims of mass disasters.

Multiple Select

Select all statements that are true about fingerprints.

• No two people have identical fingerprints, even identical twins.

• Fingerprints are formed when the fetus is in the mother’s womb.

• Fingerprints can change throughout a person's life.

• Basic print patterns remain the same.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a fingerprint ridge pattern?

• Plain Arch

• Tented Arch

• Central Pocket Loop

• Linear Whorl

Open Ended

List and briefly describe the eight different fingerprint ridge patterns.

Multiple Choice

Which of the following minutiae patterns is defined as a single ridge dividing into two?

• Island

• Dot

• Bifurcation

• Ridge ending

Open Ended

Explain the differences between the minutiae patterns 'Lake', 'Spur', and 'Bridge' found in fingerprints.

Multiple Select

Select all types of prints that can be found at crime scenes.

• Visible prints

• Plastic prints

• Latent prints

• Digital prints

Open Ended

Describe how cyanoacrylate fuming and alternative light sources are used to reveal latent fingerprints.

Multiple Choice

Which chemical reacts with amino acids from body secretions to produce a violet color print when examining latent fingerprints in the forensic laboratory?

• Iodine

• Ninhydrin

• Silver nitrate

• Cyanoacrylate

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is NOT a type of ridge characteristic (minutiae) found in fingerprints?

• Island

• Dot

• Bifurcation

• Loop

Open Ended

Compare and contrast the different types of fingerprints found at crime scenes and discuss how latent fingerprints are examined.

Open Ended

What was the most interesting thing you learned about fingerprints today?

Open Ended

What does the word 'latent' mean (as in, latent fingerprints, or latent blood stains)?