FORENSIC 2 – (PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES)

Module/Lesson Guide

MODULE 2
Name: Year & Section:

Friction Ridges

Motivation/Prompting Questions

Before you read the article, Weighing Fingerprints, answer this question
1. Do you believe fingerprinting analysis should be used for conviction if this is the only evidence
that links a suspect to a crime? Explain your reasoning.

I disagree to that idea, instead, fingerprints can identify, but not necessarily convict since
fingerprints abound in everyday life. They appear on windows, mirrors, and papers from normal
handling. Countless substances human fingertips come into contact with, from ink to blood to
makeup, can leave fingerprints behind. So, we can’t really tell if that identification recorded is the
perpetrator, it needs further investigation if that would be the case.

Open this website: www.cbsnews.com/news/weighing-fingerprints-as-forensic-evidence

1. In this story, fingerprints, which have historically been a widely accepted forensic tool, have been
subjected to questioning. Explain the argument Patrick Kent, Maryland Public Defender and
forensic expert, had about fingerprinting being an art and not a science.

As the attorney and forensic expert Patrick Kent says that, "Fingerprint evidence is
considered to be, by juries, actual evidence of guilt, incontrovertible evidence of guilt. And,
unfortunately, the reality is far different than that," he expressed that fingerprinting being an art
and not a science. A he also added that "It's never been tested," and "It's never been shown to be
accurate. They don't even have a standard way that they do fingerprint comparisons."

1. Did the judge agree or disagree with Kent? Explain why.

Kent was overruled by the judge. He stated that he was disclosing the crucial proof.

1. How can this decision jeopardize other criminal investigations, current and past?

It would greatly affect the current investigation, and would surely cause shame to them,
with their previous decisions, especially if they have convicted lots very innocent persons and worst,
sentenced them to death. Approving the idea would make a big backslash to their institutions
previous actions in the proceedings of defining the guilty party.

2. Tom Bush, FBI, had a convincing argument for using fingerprint evidence. Explain his
argument.

According to Bush, the department has been using prints to arrest criminals for over 80
years and has a 98-percentile accuracy rate. He doesn't feel there is any additional evidence that
might be used to convict someone. Then why modify it now, when they get an answer within hours
about whose fingerprint it could match?
Question: Going Further
1. Do you agree or disagree with the following statement? At birth, all children should be
fingerprinted and those fingerprints entered into a national database, so that in the future it will be
easier to identify them." Explain your reasoning.

Yes, I concur. You'll have everyone's fingerprint in the system this way. You never know
who could be capable of committing a crime. Why not? Your fingerprint grows with you and never
changes.

Discussion

Discuss the following questions based on your own understanding;

1. What affects the amount of detail needed to identify a fingerprint?

The surface texture is one of the most important factors. Fingerprints are easiest to notice
on dry, flat surfaces with no roughness. It will be more difficult to get quality fingerprint evidence if
the material is rough or porous. Another aspect is the state of your fingertips' skin.

2. Explain why friction skin identification is an objective science?

When forensic experts examine two fingerprint samples to see if they originated from the
same individual, they apply dactyloscopy (fingerprint identification). When our fingers transmit
elements like dirt, blood, ink, or oil to another surface, we leave obvious fingerprints, but we also
create invisible (latent) fingerprints. 

3. What do you think all areas of friction skin are permanent and unique? Explain

 If the condition of all biological pattern forms being unique is applied, then No, since
certain friction ridge skin variations result in a persistent, but not permanent, naturally patterned
source, or a specific region of skin, and that friction ridge skin.

4. Discuss the anatomy of skin as it relates to fingerprints.

The palms of the hands and fingers, as well as the soles of the feet and toes, are all covered
in friction ridge skin. The presence of elevated ridges, a thicker and more structurally complex
epidermis, greater sensory capacity, the absence of hair, and the absence of sebaceous glands
distinguish friction ridge skin from the rest of the body's skin. The presence of friction ridges
improves skin friction for gripping. It's important to note that the word "fingerprint" refers to the
imprint made by a finger's friction skin, not the anatomical structure itself.

5. Give some examples of the class characteristics of fingerprints?

Arches, loops, and whorls are the three fingerprint class kinds. Arches are the least
common type of fingerprint, accounting for approximately 5% of all cases. Ridges that enter on one
side of the print, travel up, and exit on the opposing side define this pattern. Loops are the most
frequent, accounting for 60-65% of all loops. This ridges that enter on one side of the print, loop
around, and exit on the same side define the pattern. Whorls are a sort of circular ridge flow that
occurs 30 to 35 percent of the time. Individual qualities are those that are exclusive to a single
person. They are minute abnormalities seen within the body. Galton's details are ridges that create
friction. Bifurcation, ridge ends, and dots or islands are the most typical Galton's details.
Learning activities/Exercises

Activity/Exercises 1

1. Explain the difference between the automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) now used
by some law enforcement agencies and the biometric fingerprint systems used to control access to
places like buildings, airports, and computer rooms.
AFIS:

Police utilize automated fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) to identify a single person's
fingerprints from a database of 40 million prints. AFIS searches the database for a match by comparing
the set of prints to all other sets. Also, AFIS is used to recognize persons who do not want to be identified.
BIOMETRIC:

Biometrics are often utilized as access keys. To get entry to restricted areas, security staff must
occasionally scan their fingerprints. Biometric fingerprint scanners are now included in certain devices.
Instead of using positive identification, these systems check for similarities between the scanned print and
what the system considers to be 'OK.'

2. Do the following:

a. Name the surfaces of the body where friction or papillary ridges are found.

The top layers of your skin on the palms of your hands and the soles of your feet are known as
papillary ridges. Between these ridges are small furrows that provide you with the friction you need to
grab things and shape your fingerprints. The papillary ridges on your palms, fingers, soles, and toes are all
different from one another.

b. Name the two basic principles supporting the science of fingerprints and give a brief
explanation of each principle.

1. Even identical twins have slightly distinct fingerprints. Fingerprints are a

powerful approach to establish unique identification since the chances of
Individuality:  two persons having the same fingerprints are typically very low.

2. Your fingerprints will remain the same forever. For the rest of your life,
the papillary ridges you were born with will develop but never change
Permanence: shape.

A. Explain what it takes to positively identify a person using fingerprints.

 There are professionals who have been trained to positively detect if a person's fingerprints match those on
file. Because the skin on the fingers and palms is so flexible, this process is more difficult than it appears.
Even two fingerprints collected from the same individual, one after the other, are distinct due to the
elasticity of their skin. However, in order to establish whether the fingerprints are from the same
individual, these experts are taught to comprehend the sources of variance.

Practice Task/Assessment

Discrete Type of Test:

Test I: Fill in the Blanks. (2 points each)

1. A fingerprint is the arrangement of skin ridges and furrows on the tips of the fingers.
2. Friction ridge skin impressions were used as proof of a person’s identity in China perhaps as
early as 300 B.C., in Japan as early as A.D. 702, and in the United States since 1902.
3. Each person's fingerprints are said to be unique.
4. Different patterns in the ridge details occur at different rates, which allow for classification -
known as the Henry System.
5. The friction ridges can be seen on the outer layer of skin.
6. Thus, the forensic science of fingerprints, palm prints, and footprints is utilized by law
enforcement agencies in support of their investigations to positively identify the perpetrator of a
crime.
7. History tells us that a 14th-century Persian doctor made an early statement that no two
fingerprints are alike. Later in the 17th century, Italian physician Marcello Malpighi studied the
distinguishing shapes of loops and spirals in fingerprints.
8. In 1880, Henry Faulds suggested that fingerprints could be used to identify convicted criminals.
9. Fingerprinting offers an accurate and infallible means of Personal identification.
10. Once again, in fingerprint work we always record what are known as rolled impressions and
plain impressions on the standard fingerprint cards.

Test II: Multiple Choice (2 Points Each)

Instruction: Select and encircle the letter of the best answer for each of the following
questions/statements.
1. What type of fingerprint is shown in the diagram below?

a. Plain arch
b. Plain whorl
c. Central Pocket whorl
d. Double Loop whorl

2. The image was taken from the right hand. What type of loop is it?

a. Radial
b. Ulnar
3. What pattern is this?

a. Loop
b. Arch
c. Whorl

4. What pattern is this?

a. Loop
b. Arch
c. Whorl

5. What pattern is this?

a. Loop
b. Arch
c. Whorl
6. What pattern is this?

a. Tented Arch
b. Arch
c. Loop
d. Whorl

7. What pattern is this?

 a. Loop
b. Arch
c. Whorl

8. What pattern is this?

a. Whorl
b. Central Pocket Whorl
c. Arch
d. Double Loop Whorl
e. Accidental

9. What kind of fingerprint is this?

a. Arch
b. Whorl
c. Loop

10. What is this Fingerprint?

a. Whorl
b. Arch
c. Loop

Assignment

Enrichment Activity

 Write at least 100 words essay describing on this statement “Imagine a world if we didn’t have
fingerprints? Why fingerprints are important to us?.

What would happen to the world if we didn't have fingerprints for identification? It
would be extremely difficult for the police or investigators to find the offender and perpetrator, and
theft and murder would increase day by day because fingerprints are one of the few concrete pieces
of evidence that a police and investigator can present in court, and there would be no justice for the
victim, and if there was, it would most likely be a mislead to a suspect because it's easy for anyone
to point out someone’s murder. 

One of the most essential applications of fingerprints is to assist detectives in connecting one
crime scene to another involving the same person. Fingerprint identification also aids detectives in
tracking a criminal's past, previous arrests and convictions, and in making choices about sentence,
probation, parole, and pardoning. Fingerprint evidence may establish or refute a person's
identification, which is important in criminal investigations.

Reflection or Insights

Personal Reflection

1. Think about what you learned in class today about fingerprints. Why are fingerprints important?

What I've learnt in this lesson or subject is that fingerprints play an important role in our
lives, particularly in the criminal justice system, because fingerprints are the only solid evidence
that cannot be tampered with until sabotage occurs. As a result, fingerprints are extremely
significant.

2. How does your finger create a print you can see?

I personally think fingerprints on surfaces such as glass or metal are caused by ridges and
moisture and grease on a finger. Ink or other substances transferred from the peaks of friction
ridges on the skin to a flat surface like paper can be used to create deliberate impressions of whole
fingerprints.