Chapter 1: Introduction Basic Principle of

Fingerprint Identification
B Y: M A RY A N N M G A L L O S , R C R I M
Methods of Identification before the science
of Fingerprint.
• 1. Tattoo Marks

• 2. Scar Marks

• 3. Anthropometry- The Scientific method of identification done by measuring various

bony structure of the human body
History:
• 1000 BC- Archeological Evidence of ancient Chinese and Babylonian civilizations using
fingerprints to sign legal documents

• BABYLONIANS- used on clay tablets for business transactions

• CHINESE- first user of Fingerprint” rituals”

• HUA CHI- Later used in signing of contract on the part of illiterate

Marcelo Malpighi (1686)
• A professor of Anatomy at Bologna University in Italy Dermis and Epidermis-Malpighi
Layer (Stratum Malphigi)- approximately 1.8 thick

• GRANDFATHER OF DACTYLOSCOPY
J.C Mayer (1788)

• Gave a detailed description of anatomical formation of FP

• Skin ridges is never duplicated in two persons, nevertheless, the

similarities are closer among the some individuals

• Principle of Individuality
John Evangelist Purkinje (1823)
• Father of Dactyloscopy

• Professor of Anatomy at the University of Breslau

• Thesis- 9 FP pattern
Herman Welcker (1856)
• Printed his own palms and printer the same after 41 years

• Principle of Immutability
William Herschel (1858)
• Chief Administration Officer Bengal

• Palm Prints- later on right index and middle finger using fingerprints as a means to
identify criminals in jail (1857) as a means of signature and failed to mention the potential
for forensic use.
Dr. Henry Fauld (1880’s)
• Scottish Physician working in Tokyo
• Studied “Skin Furrows” after noticing finger marks on specimens of prehistoric pottery.
• Examined & compared the thief’s FP left on the scene with the arrested suspects
• Prints left at the crime scene could lead to identification
• Published an article in the scientific Journal called NATURE- use of fingerprints for
identification purposes (1880)
Dr. Henry Faulds (1880’s)
• Asked Charles Darwin to help him develop a classifications system but he forwarded to
his cousin GALTON (1850)

• Offered to SCOTLAND YARD, but rejected (in favor of Bertillon System)

Will West & William West (1903)
• U.S Penitentiary-Levenworth Kansas

• Will West- Incoming prisoner

• William West- Existing prisoner

• Bertillon Method- discredited

Gilbert Thompson (1882)
• U.S Geological Survey in Mexico

• Used his own thumb print on a document to prevent forgery

• First used of FP in United States

• “Lying Bob”
Mark Twain (1883)

• “Life of Mississippi”- Murderer was identified

using FP identification

• “Pudd’n Head Wilson”- Dramatic court trial

FP identification
Juan Vucetich (1891)
• An Argentina Police Official began the 1st FP files based
on Galton pattern types (including Bertillon System)

• Icnofalangometria or Galronean method and was later

change to dactiloscopy
Juan Vucetich (1892)
• Made the 1st Criminal FP identification (1892)

• Francisca Rojas- Believe to be the first criminal found guilty through FP identification as
an evidence (Inspector Eduardo Alvarez) who had murdered her two sons and cut her own
throat in an attempt to blame a neighboring ranch worker
Francis Galton (1892)
• British Anthropologist

• First Scientist of Friction Skin Identification

• Established the First civil Bureau of Persona Identification in London, Englan

• ARCHES, LOOPS, WHORL

• “NO TO PRINTS ARE IDENTICAL”

• “INDIVIDUAL FP’S REMAIN UNCHNAGED FOR

YOUR ENTIRE LIFE”

Sir Edward Henry (1897)
• Proposed a modified classification system which was
adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901 Basis for taking FP
in most English Speaking Countries.

• FATHER OF FINGERPRINTS
New York City Service Commission (1901)
• First Official use of FP-USA

• 1904- American police received training from Scotland Yard Representatives

• 1924- National FP file was set up in America by FBI

Philippine History
• Mr. Jones- First taught FP in the PC (1900)

• Bureau of Prison- 1918 (Carpetas)

• Lt. ASA & N. DARBY- established a modern and complete fingerprint files for
Philippine Commonwealth during the reoccupation of the Philippines by the American
Forces.

• GENEROSO REYES- first Filipino FP technician employed by the PC

• ISABELA BERNALES- first Filipina FP technician

Philippine History
• CAPT. THOMAS DUGAN- NY police department and

• FLAVIANO GUERRERO, FBI Washington-gave the first examination in FP (1927)

• AGUSTINO PATRICIO- topped the examination

• PP VS. MEDINA- first leading conviction based on FP

• PCCR- first government recognized to teach the Science of FP and other Police Science.
 Fundamental Principles of Fingerprint
B Y: M A RY A N N M G A L L O S , R C R I M
Definition of Terms
• FINGERPRINT

- Is an impression design by the ridges on the inside of the last joint of the fingers on any
surface through media of an ink, sweat or any reagents capable of producing visibility
Dactyloscopy

• Science that deals with the study of interpretation, Classification

of FP, identification of pattern of FP classification formula.

• GREEK WORD: Dactyl- a finger Skopien-to Study or

Examine
Dactylography

• Refers to the scientific study of FP as a means of identification. This

includes FP comparison and case presentation in courts
Polydactyl
• Refers to a person having more than required number of fingers.

• Small piece of soft tissue

• Bone without joints

• Most common- ulnar side

• Less Common- radial side

• POSTAXIAL (LITTLE)

• PRAXIAL (THUMB)

• CENTRAL (RING,MIDDLE,INDEX)
Poroscopy
• Scientific study of pores or small opening found on the surface of the skin

• POROS- pores or holes

Chiroscopy
• Refers to branch of science which deals with the study of the palm of the hand

• CHIER-hands

Podoscopy
• Study on the soles of the feet

• PODOS-foot
Palmistry/Chiromancy
• Art of characterization and foretelling the future through the study of the palm

• “PALM READING” OR CHIROLOGY

• CHIER- hand

• MANTEIA- divination

• Palmist, palm readers, hand reader, hand analyst, or chorologist

Individuality
• “A fingerprint is an individual characteristic”

• “NO TWO INDIVIDUAL HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE THE SAME FINGERPRINT”

Immutability/Permanency
• “A Fingerprint will remain unchanged during an individual’s lifetime”

Infallibility
• “Every Fingerprint cannot be forged”

• “It would be totally impossible to obliterate all the ridge characteristics”

 The Friction Skin and It’s components
B Y: M A RY A N N M G A L L O S , R C R I M
Friction Skin
• An epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or
lower surface of the hands and feet covered with
minute ridges and furrows and without pigment or
coloring matters (PAPILLARY OR EPIDERMAL
RIDGES)
Ridge Surface
• Is the component of the skin than actually forms the FP
impression

• RIDGES- tiny elevation or hill like structure found on the

epidermis layer of the skin containing sweat pores. It
appears as black lines in an ink impression

• FURROWS- are canal-like impression or a depression

found between and if appears as white line in an ink
impression
Epidermis
• The outer covering the skin

• STRATUM CORNEUM- the outer layers

• STRATUM MUCOSUM- immediately beneath the covering

layers
Dermis
• The inner layer of the skin

• Blood vessel, various glands and nerves

• DERMAL PAPILLAE- Irregular blunt pegs composed of

delicate connective tissues protruding and forming the ridges
of the skin on the fingers, palm toes and soles of the feet

• SWEAT GLAND- responsible for the production of sweat

• SWEAR PORES- small opening found across the ridges

Ridges Destruction
• If the wound penetrate to 1-2 mm beneath the
skin’s surface

• MANUAL WORKS- Electric shop workers

and assembly workers etc.

• DISEASED PERSON- skin disease

• WARTS- fibrous growth in the skin

• ULCERS- ulcerous sores attacks the ridges

• BURNS
John Dillinger
• Notorious gangster and the most publicized attempt at
removal of FP

• Attempted to destroy his own FP by applying corrosive

acid to them
Edmond Locard
• “LOCARD’s EXCHANGE PRINCIPLE”

• “Every contact leaves a trace”

Every Person Leaves something behind (and take something with him/her, too) every time
the person interacts with the environment.
 Chapter 2
Ridge Characteristics
B Y: M A RY A N N M G A L L O S , R C R I M
 Ending Ridge
• Refers to an end point of ridge, or
a ridge with abrupt ending.

Short Ridge
• Ridge that shorter that ending
ridge
 Lake/Enclosure
• Divides into two branched and
meet again

Dot/ Island
• Looks like a period, dot or
fragment of a ridge
Recurving/Looping Ridge
• Refers to a ridge formation that
curves back in the direction from
which it started. Looks like a hairpin

Abutment/Appendage
• Short ridge at then top or summit of
a recurved usually at the right angle
 Rod/Bar
• Short or ending ridge found inside the
innermost recurving ridge of a loop
formation

Bridge
• Connecting friction ridge between parallel
running ridges, generally right angles.
Bifurcation/fork
• Single ridge that splits into two
ridges, forming Y shape structure

Double Bifurcation/fork

Trifurcation/fork
• Point at which one ridge divides
into three friction ridges
Ridge Crossing
• Point where two ridges units
intersect.

Spur
• A bifurcation with one short ridge
branching off a longer ridge

Converging Ridges
• Ridge whose end is angular and
serves as a point of convergence
pointed and abrupt
Diverging Ridges
• Ridges which run parallel suddenly
diverge
 Pattern Area, Type lines, Core and Delta
B Y: M A RY A N N M G A L L O S , R C R I M
Pattern Area
• The area surrounded by the type lines,
where the core, delta & ridges are
located
Type Lines
• Two innermost ridges that run parallel or
nearly parallel to each other then, diverge and
ten to surround the pattern area.
Type lines
• When there is a definite break in a type
line, the ridge immediately outside of it
is considered as its continuation

• Sometimes type lines may be very short

• When the fork run parallel after

bifurcating and then diverge. In such a
case the two forks become the two
innermost ridges
Type lines
• When there is a definite break in a type
line, the ridge immediately outside of it
is considered as its continuation

• Sometimes type lines may be very short

• When the fork run parallel after

bifurcating and then diverge. In such a
case the two forks become the two
innermost ridges
Type lines
• When there is a definite break in a type
line, the ridge immediately outside of it
is considered as its continuation

• Sometimes type lines may be very short

• When the fork run parallel after

bifurcating and then diverge. In such a
case the two forks become the two
innermost ridges
 Type lines

• When the fork run parallel

after bifurcating and then
diverge. In such a case the
two forks become the two
innermost ridges
 Type lines

• When the fork run parallel after bifurcating

and then diverge. In such a case the two
forks become the two innermost ridges
Type lines
• An angular formation cannot be
used as a type line
Two Focal Points of Fingerprint
Delta
• That point on a ridge at or in front of and nearest
the center of the divergence the type lines

Core
• The approximate center of the finger
impression (loop and whorl)
Delta
• A bifurcation

• An ending ridge

• A dot

• A short ridge

• A re-curving ridge

• A meeting of two ridges

Rules in choosing Delta

• 1. Delta must be the first ridge or part of a

ridge nearest the point of a ridge nearest
the point of divergence of the two type
lines

• 2. Delta may not be located at a bifurcation

which does not open toward the core
Rules in choosing Delta

• 1. Delta must be the first ridge or part of a

ridge nearest the point of a ridge nearest
the point of divergence of the two type
lines

• 2. Delta may not be located at a bifurcation

which does not open toward the core
Rules in choosing Delta

• 3. When there is choice between a

bifurcation and another type of delta, the
bifurcation is selected

• 4. When there are two or more possible

bifurcation deltas that conform to the
definition, the one nearest the core should
be chosen
Rules in choosing Delta

• 3. When there is choice between a

bifurcation and another type of delta, the
bifurcation is selected

• 4. When there are two or more possible

bifurcation deltas that conform to the
definition, the one nearest the core should
be chosen
 Rules in choosing Delta
• 5. The delta may not be located in the middle of a ridge
running between the type lines toward the core, but at
the nearer end only.

• -If the ridge is entirely within the patten area, the

delta is located at the end nearer the point of
divergence of the type lines

• -If the ridge enters the pattern area from a point

below the divergence of the type lines, however, the
delta must be located at the end nearer the core
 Rules in choosing Delta
• 5. The delta may not be located in the middle of a ridge
running between the type lines toward the core, but at
the nearer end only.

• -If the ridge is entirely within the patten area, the

delta is located at the end nearer the point of
divergence of the type lines

• -If the ridge enters the pattern area from a point

below the divergence of the type lines, however, the
delta must be located at the end nearer the core
Rules in Choosing Core
• 1. The core is placed upon (shoulder) or within the
innermost sufficient re-curve (ending ridge/rod
rising as high as the shoulder of the loop

• 2. When the innermost sufficient re-curve contains

no ending ridge or rod rising as high as the
shoulders of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop farther from the delta
Rules in Choosing Core
• 1. The core is placed upon (shoulder) or within the
innermost sufficient re-curve (ending ridge/rod
rising as high as the shoulder of the loop

• 2. When the innermost sufficient re-curve contains

no ending ridge or rod rising as high as the
shoulders of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop farther from the delta
Rules in Choosing Core
• 1. The core is placed upon (shoulder) or within the
innermost sufficient re-curve (ending ridge/rod
rising as high as the shoulder of the loop

• 2. When the innermost sufficient re-curve contains

no ending ridge or rod rising as high as the
shoulders of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop farther from the delta
Rules in Choosing Core
• 1. The core is placed upon (shoulder) or within the
innermost sufficient re-curve (ending ridge/rod
rising as high as the shoulder of the loop

• 2. When the innermost sufficient re-curve contains

no ending ridge or rod rising as high as the
shoulders of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop, the core is placed on the
shoulder of the loop farther from the delta
Rules in Choosing Core

3. When the innermost sufficient re-curve

contains an even number of rods rising as

high as the shoulders, the core is placed upon
the end of the farther one of the two center
rods being treated as though they were
connected by a re-curving ridge.
Rules in Choosing Core

3. When the innermost sufficient re-curve

contains an even number of rods rising as

high as the shoulders, the core is placed upon
the end of the farther one of the two center
rods being treated as though they were
connected by a re-curving ridge.
Rules in Choosing Core

3. When the innermost sufficient re-curve

contains an even number of rods rising as

high as the shoulders, the core is placed upon
the end of the farther one of the two center
rods being treated as though they were
connected by a re-curving ridge.
Rules in Choosing Core

4. When the innermost sufficient re-

curve contains an uneven number of
rods rising as high as the shoulders, the
core is placed upon the end of the
center rod whether it touches the
looping ridge or not.
Rules in Choosing Core

4. When the innermost sufficient re-

curve contains an uneven number of
rods rising as high as the shoulders, the
core is placed upon the end of the
center rod whether it touches the
looping ridge or not.
Rules in Choosing Core
5. The Rod must be rise as high as the shoulder line
Rules in Choosing Core
6. The re-curve must have no appendage abutting upon
it at a right angel between the shoulder and on the
outside. If such an appendage is present between the
shoulder of a loop, that loop is considered spoiled and
the next loop outside will be considered to locate the
core
Rules in Choosing Core
6. The re-curve must have no appendage abutting upon
it at a right angel between the shoulder and on the
outside. If such an appendage is present between the
shoulder of a loop, that loop is considered spoiled and
the next loop outside will be considered to locate the
core
Rules in Choosing Core
6. The re-curve must have no appendage abutting upon
it at a right angel between the shoulder and on the
outside. If such an appendage is present between the
shoulder of a loop, that loop is considered spoiled and
the next loop outside will be considered to locate the
core
Rules in Choosing Core
7.For interlocking loops at the center, The
two loops are considered one, with one rod.
The core is located at the point of intersection
when the shoulder line is drawn and it is
found to cross exactly at the point of
intersection of the two loops.
Rules in Choosing Core
8. When the shoulder line is above or
below the point of intersection of the two
loops. The two are considered as one, with
two rods (for interlocking loops at the
center)
Rules in Choosing Core
8. When the shoulder line is above or
below the point of intersection of the two
loops. The two are considered as one, with
two rods (for interlocking loops at the
center)
Rules in Choosing Core
9. When two loops are the center, the two
are treated as one, with two rods
 Fingerprint Patterns
B Y: M A RY A N N M G A L L O S , R C R I M
Pattern Frequency
• 5% Arches
• Refers to the general formation
• 60% Loops

• 35%Whorl
of the ridges found within the
pattern area. This FP pattern is
very essential in FP
classification
Fingerprint Pattern
• 1. Arch
• 3. Whorl
• -Plain Arch
• -Plain Whorl
• -Tented Arch
• Central Pocket loop whorl
• 2. Loop
• Double loop whorl
• -Ulnar loop
• Accidental Whorl
• Radial Loop
 LOOPS (60%)
• Pattern in which one or more the ridges enter on either side
of the impression, recurve, touch or pass an imaginary line
drawn from the delta to the core, and terminate or tend to
terminate on or toward the same side of the impression from
whence such ridge or ridges entered.

• A sufficient re-curve

• A delta and core must a present

• A ridge count across a looping ridge

Radial and Ulnar
Radial Loop
• Flows towards the thumb or radius bone
Ulnar loop
• Flows towards the little
finger or ulna bone
Arches (5%)
• Made up of ridges lying above the other in a general
arcing formation

• Ridge flow from one side to other side without re-

curving

• Has no delta and core

• No ridge counting
Plain Arch
• Enter from one side, make a rise in the
center and exit generally on the opposite
side.
 Tented Arch
• Most of the ridges enter upon one side of the impression
and flow or tend to flow out upon the other side, as in the
plain arch type; however the ridge or ridges at the center
do not. There are three types of tented arches

• 90 degree or less

• One or more ridges at the center from an up thrust

(ending ridge-horizontally, 45 degrees or more)

• Possessing two of the basic or essential characteristics

of the loop, but lacking the thirds
 Tented Arch
• Most of the ridges enter upon one side of the impression and flow or tend
to flow out upon the other side, as in the plain arch type; however the
ridge or ridges at the center do not. There are three types of tented arches

• 90 degree or less

• One or more ridges at the center from an up thrust (ending ridge-

horizontally, 45 degrees or more)

• Possessing two of the basic or essential characteristics of the loop, but

lacking the thirds

• A sufficient re-curve

• A delta and core must be present

• A ridge count across a looping ridge

Whorl (35%)
• Is the type of pattern in which at least two
deltas are present with the re-curve in
front in each
Plain Whorl
• Pattern consist of one or more free re-
curving ridges and two points of delta, it will
bisect, at least, one of the re-curving ridges
within the inner pattern area
Plain Whorl
• Pattern consist of one or more free re-
curving ridges and two points of delta, it will
bisect, at least, one of the re-curving ridges
within the inner pattern area
Central Pocket loop Whorl
• Consist of one or more free re-curving
ridges and two point of delta. When the line
of the FP disc is placed on two points of
delta, it will fail to bisect any of the ridges
belonging to the core group.
Central Pocket loop Whorl
• Consist of one or more free re-curving
ridges and two point of delta. When the line
of the FP disc is placed on two points of
delta, it will fail to bisect any of the ridges
belonging to the core group.
Double/Twinned Loop Whorl
• The re-curving ridges present two loop
formation, separate and apart. There are two
points of delta. The flows for the deltas
originate from the same side of the pattern.
Accidental Loop Whorl/Accidental Whorl
• Composition pattern is composed of two
or more different patterns, separate and
apart, exclusive of the arch (exception to
plain arches)
Accidental Loop Whorl/Accidental Whorl
• Composition pattern is composed of two
or more different patterns, separate and
apart, exclusive of the arch (exception to
plain arches)