The Role of Fingerprints in Forensics Review

Fingerprints are unique patterns found on the:

• Teeth

• Fingertips

• Hair follicles

• Eyelids

The science of fingerprint identification is called:

• Serology

• Odontology

• Dactyloscopy

• Palynology

How do uniqueness and permanence affect reliability in identification?

• They make fingerprints useless for ID.

• Uniqueness and permanence increase reliability because prints rarely match and remain consistent over time.

• Permanence reduces reliability because prints never change.

• Uniqueness makes prints identical across populations.

The three fingerprint types are:

• Loop, Whorl, Arch

• Spiral, Grid, Cross

• Ridge, Valley, Plateau

• Plain, Complex, Mixed

_____ — the science of fingerprint identification.

• Toxicology

• Dactyloscopy

• Radiography

• Cartography

Loop — characteristic:

• Ridges enter from one side and exit the same side, usually with a single core

• Ridges form concentric circles only at the center

• Ridges run straight across with no recurving

• Ridges form a sharp spike

Whorl — characteristic:

• No deltas or cores present

• Circular or spiral pattern often with two deltas

• Always triangular in shape

• Ridges slope diagonally across the finger

Arch — characteristic:

• Ridges flow in from one side and out the other with a rise in the center

• Ridges form perfect concentric circles

(Choose the best completion: which phrase fits the facts?)

• pregnancy / temporary / unrelated

• fetal / largely permanent / monozygotic

• childhood / changeable / fraternal

• adult / replaceable / conjoined

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS3-2

NGSS.MS-LS4-4

However, _____ (e.g., scars, burns, skin disease) can alter the appearance of a fingerprint.

• external factors

• weather patterns

• diet choices

• eye color