LEARNING MODULE IN PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES

OVERVIEW
This course covers the different methods of
personal identification, as an aid crime
detection, investigation, information, and as
evidence for prosecution of an offense/felony.
It includes the process of recording, processing,
preservation, and court presentation.

After completing the

course, you must be able to:
1. Explain the concept and Historical Background of Fingerprint.
2. Explain the Procedures in fingerprint Comparison and Identification.
3. Discuss the legality of fingerprint as evidence that accepted in every court of justice in
any part of the globe
4. Determine the eight types of fingerprint pattern and interpret them.
5. Apply the classification formula and extension of fingerprint.
6. Develop latent fingerprint or chance fingerprint impressions.
7. Develop latent print using various methods of developing latent prints.
8. Identifying the process of recording, processing, preservation, and court presentation

CONTENTS

MIDTERMS

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MODULE 1: HISTORY OF DACTYLOSCOPY/FINGERPRINT

LESSON 1: Basic Concept of Fingerprint

LESSON 2: Delta, Core and Ridge Characteristics
LESSON 3: Fingerprint Classification, Classification Formula,
Filing of Fingerprint Cards

MODULE 2: PROCESS OF RECORDING, IDENTIFICATION AND

METHODS OF IMPRESSING

LESSON 1. Investigative and Evidentiary Value

LESSON 2: Methods of Impressing

MODULE 3: Lifting of Accidental Print, Classification Formula and Extension

LESSON 1: Lifting of Accidental Print or Chance Impression

LESSON 2: Classification Formula and Extension

FINALS
MODULE 1: AUTOMATED FINGERPRINT IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM (AFIS)

LESSON 1: The Process of Recording In AFIS

LESSON 2: Pros and Disadvantages of The Automated Fingerprint
Identification System
LESSON 3: Importance of Personal Identification in Criminal Investigation

MODULE 2: JURISPRUDENCE ON FINGERPRINT

LESSON 1: Admissibility of Fingerprint Evidence and Constitutional Objections
MODULE 3: PRESENTATION OF FINGERPRINT EVIDENCE IN COURT
LESSON 1: HOW IS fingerprint evidence used in court?
LESSON 2: When did fingerprints become admissible in court?
LESSON 3: Court Presentation of Fingerprint Evidence

MODULE 1:
MODULE 1
History of Dactyloscopy/Fingerprint Lessons

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At the end of the module, you should be able to:

Differentiate the classification of fingerprinting.
Importance/ rule of identification and finger print evidence
Allied sciences in fingerprint
Identifying the Rules to Personal Identification

LESSON 1:
BASIC CONCEPTS OF FINGERPRINT
What is Criminalistics?
Criminalistics is the sum total of the application of all sciences on the detection of
crime, deals with the laboratory examination of physical evidence connected with the
commission of the crime. (Cirilo M. Tradio, 1997)

It is the application of various sciences to answer questions relating to examination and

comparison of:
Biological Evidence
 Sperm
 Saliva
 Hair, etc
Trace evidence, impression evidence (such as)
 Fingerprints
 Footwear impressions, and tire marks,
 Controlled substances
 Ballistics
 Firearms and,
 Toolmark examination and other evince in criminal investigation
In typical circumstances, evidence is processed in a crime laboratory.

What is Personal identification?

Personal Identification is the process of individualizing human person.

Personal refers to anything relating to or belonging to an individual. On the other
hand, identification refers to the action or process of identifying someone or something or the
fact of being identified. Or identification means something that identifies a person or things
(freedictionary.com).

Hence, PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION van be defined as the process, or techniques, or

approaches, or means of establishing the identity of a particular person. In medico-legal, the
following are the aspects of personal identification:
1. Determination of the individuality of a person
2. Act or process of showing to be the same

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3. Determination or establishment as a particular person or thing
4. Ascertaining the nature or supposed identity of a person or something

Importance of Identification of Persons

1. In the prosecution of criminal offense, the identity of the offender and that of the
victim must be established; otherwise it will be a ground for dismissal of the charge or
the acquittal of the accused.
2. The identification of a person missing or presumed dead will facilitate settlement of
the estate, retirement, insurance and other social benefits. It vests on the heirs the right
over properties of the identified person.
3. Identification resolves the anxiety of the next kin, other relatives and friends as to the
whereabouts of a missing person or victim of calamity or criminal act.
4. Identification may be needed in some transactions, like cashing of checks, entering a
premise, delivery of parcels or registered mail in post office, sale or property, release
of dead bodies to relatives, parties to a contact.

Rules to Personal Identification:

1. Law of Multiplicity of Evidence

The greater the number of points of similarities and dissimilarities of two persons
compared, the greater the probability for the conclusion to be correct.

2. The value of different points of identification varies in the of conclusion.

In the fresh cadaver, if the fingerprints on file are the same as those recovered
from the crime scene, the will positively establish the identity of the person while
bodily marks, like moles, scars, complexion, shape of nose, etc,. are merely
corroborative. Visual recognition by relative or friends may be lesser value as
compared with fingerprint and dental comparison.

3. The longer the interval between the death and the examination of the remains for
purposes of identification, the greater is the need for experts in establishing identity.

4. In as much as the object to be identified is highly perishable, it is necessary for the

team to act in the shortest possible time especially in cases of mass disaster.

5. There is no rigid rule to be observed in the procedure of identification of persons.

Historical Background of Fingerprints

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Ancient Records Concerning the Use of Finger and Palm Prints

The beginning of man’s consciousness on the patterns made by the ridges on his fingers and
palms could not be exactly dated. However, historical accounts as well as archeological
discoveries indicate that such knowledge on fingerprints may date back to pre-historic eras.
The following may show the development of man’s understanding on the identification
values of fingerprints.

a. King Hammurabi (1955-1913BC)

Used finger seals on contracts and law officers of the day were authorized to secure
fingerprints of arrested persons (Sirchie, 2011).

b. On the face of a cliff in NOVA SCOTIA, there has been found pre-historic Indian
picture writing were a hand with crudely marked ridge patterns.

c. Scholars refer to the impression fingerprints on clay tablets recording business

transactions in ancient Babylon and clay seals of ancient Chinese origin bearing
thumbprints. Some of these seals can be seen in the SMITHSONIAN
INSTITUTION, WASHINGTON, D.C. Chinese document contracts identified with
the Tang Dynasty (618-907 BC) refer to fingerprint being impressed upon business
contracts. It is conjectural as to what extent these earlier instances of fingerprint were
intended for actual identification of the persons impressing the prints.
History shows that Emperor Te In Shi was the first on to use fingerprint in China.

d. In Judea as started in the Bible (2thessalonians 3:17), Apostle Paul concludes in one
of his epistles with the swords, ’’The Salutation of Paul with my own hand, which is
the token in every epistle, so I write.” Some have inferred from these words that Paul
used his finger impressions as a distinctive signature.

e. In Persia, during the fourteenth century, various government papers were reportedly
impressed with fingerprints, and a government official who was a physician made the
observation that no fingerprints of two person were exactly alike.

f. In Holland and China, identification of individuals was by means of branding,

tattooing, mutilation, and also, manifested by wearing clothes of different designs.

g. In Old Mexico, the Aztecs impressed their hands accidentally or intentionally on the
molded and stiff softs clays of their hand-made idols to serve as their trade marks. The
authorities stamped their hands on the death warrants for the men and women who
offered their lives to sacrifice for their idol-gods.

h. In France, numerous rock carvings and paintings featuring hand designs and
fingerprints have been found on the granite wall slabs in the Neolithic burial passage
of the L’lle de Gavr’nis. Other specimens were also found in the Spanish Pyrunees
caverns, the numerous digital relics left by Indiana at Keuimkooji Lake in cliff
dwellings in Nova Scotia, in the Balearic Islands, Australis, New England coasts and
in Africa.

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i. In Babylonia, the first use of fingerprints for personal identification originated when
Babylonian Magistrates ordered their officers in making arrests and property
confiscation to secure the defendants’ fingerprints.

j. Kom Ombo Plain, on the east bank of river Nile, Egypt, lump of hundred mushes
(mud) found in Sebekian deposit which shows a portion of an adult palm during
12,000 B.C.

k. In China, fingerprint is called “Hua Chi”. The value of fingerprints for purposes of
identification was found on a Chinese clay seal made not later than the 3rd century
B.C.

l. In Jerusalem, fingerprint relics were found in clay lumps during the 4th and 5th
century AD. The excavation of Palestine by the later Dr. Bade yield fragments of such
specimens (fingerprints).

m. In AD 650, Chinese novelist Shi-Naingan wrote the “The story of River Bank,” “He
compelled them to ink their fingers to record their fingerprints. (Sirchie, 2011).”

n. During the Tang Dynasty, fingerprints were used in connection with the preparation
of legal documents. Kia Yung-yen, an author during this time stated that, “Wooden
tablets were engraved with the full items of the contract, and notches were cut in the
sides where they were identical so that the tablets could later be matched or tailed,
thus proving them genuine.” This was the bill of Loan quite similar to the present
Bank Draft.

o. In Japan, dedds, notes, and certificated to be used as proofs were sealed by the mark
of the hand (Palm-print) called Tegata. In the treatment of criminals, the imprint of
the thumb (bo-in or bo-an) was taken. The Criminal signed by the thumb-print with
regard to his sentence and it was considered as an inferior sort of signature. The
thumb-print which took the place of signature was not intended to establish the
criminal’s identity.

p. In Constantinople, in a treaty of ratification, the sultan soaked his hand in a sheep’s

blood and impressed it on the document as his seal.

q. In England, Thomas Bewick, an English engraver, author, and naturalist engraved

the patterns of his own fingers on every wood-work he had finished to serve as his
mark so as to establish his genuineness.

Early Methods of Personal Identification

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At different periods in history, man has tried a variety of methods whereby each could
be separated from all his fellows, but none of these methods of identification was adequate
until fingerprint was adopted. (Montojo, 2009)

Tattooing was greatly relied on, and still is, in some places. But tattoos can be
changed, they can be duplicated, and they disfigure. Tattoos and scars were of shapes and
patterns that indicated family, clan, and tribal connections.

Scarification was also practiced much in the past, and to some extent it’s still
employed.

Mutilation it involves cutting various parts of the body so that scars form on healing,
these scars often being in the form of elaborate designs, but the same objections hold here as
for tattooing.

Personal description has also been relied on. But the features by which one’s
recognized are subject to change, either deliberate or accidental. Moreover, there are
numerous “doubles” among human beings who are unrelated, not to mention related doubles,
as in twins, triplets, and so on. Besides, recognition is not identification.

Photographs also have been heavily relied on, but again the objections are the same
as for descriptions. The angle at which the photographs is taken changes due to age, condition
of health, accident, mutilation, the existence of “doubles”, the lack of dimension, all render
photography a poor method of identification.

Anthropometry or Bertillion System of Identification

- Was the first system of identification put into scientific plane.

What is Bertillion System of Identification?

BERTILLION SYSTEM is a scientific method for identifying people, especially for

criminals, devised in 1879 by the French criminologist Alphonse Bertillion. The system
records anthropometric measurements and personal characteristics, such as color of eyes,
scars and deformities.

 1900, ALPHONSE BERTILLION’S system of body measurement had by this time

spread throughout the world.

Measurement Taken in Bertillion System

The following measurements are taken:
1. Body – height standing, reach from fingertips to fingertips, length of trunk and head,
height sitting
2. Head – length and width, length and width of the right ear
3. Limbs – length of the left foot, length of the middle finger, length of the middle
finger, length of the left forearm.

The problems with Bertillion System

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Bertillion measurements are difficult to take with uniform exactness, and
physical dimensions can change as a result of growth or surgery.
For these reasons fingerprinting and other methods have for the most part
superseded the Bertillion system as the principal means of identification in
American and Europe police system.

ALLIED SCIENCES OF FINGERPRINTS

1. Dactyloscopy is the identification of person through examination and comparison of

fingerprints.
It was derived from the Greek word:
DACTYLOS – finger
SKOPIEN – to examine

2. Chiroscopy deals with the study of the palm of the hands.

The science that deals with the study of palm print in relation to
identification.
It was derived from the Greek word:
CHEIR – hand
SKOPIEN – to examine

3. Podoscopy deals with the study of the sole of the feet.

The science deals with the study of sole of human foot for
identification purposes.
It was derived from the Greek word:
PODO – foot
SKOPIEN – to examine

4. Poroscopy covers the study sweat pores found in the friction skin.
The science that deals with the study human pores or sweat gland. This
method of identification id introduced by Edmond Locard.

It was derived from the Greek word:

POROS – pores
SKOPIEN – to examine

Other Terms in the Study of Fingerprint

• ANTHROPOMETRY – the art of personal identification through body measurement.
• DACTYLOGRAOHY – is the art of fingerprint recording for identification purposes.
• DACTYLOSCOPY – is the science of fingerprint. It derived from the words
“dactylos” which means fingers, and “skopien” which means “to examine”.
• EDGEOSCOPY – the study of the characteristics of the ridge edge for comparison
purposes.
• FINGERPRINT – it is a reproduction of some smooth surface of the hand form by the
ridges and furrow.

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• FRICTION RIDGE – raised strips of the skin on the inside of the end joints of the
fingers and thumbs by which fingerprints are made; it is sometimes called papillary
ridge or epidermis ridges.
• POLYDACTYLISM – the appearance of extra fingers and anatomically known.
• PORES – are tiny holes of the skin where sweat and other secretion may come out.
• RIDEGEOLOGY – the study of poroscopy, edgeoscopy, and ridge characteristics for
the purpose of the positive identification of fingerprints.

Early Publication Concerning Fingerprints

Fingerprints were used in China before the birth of Christianity. Over 2000 years ago,
fingerprints were used symbolically and as sign manuals by the Chinese.
But fingerprinting as a new system of giving names to the various patterns and of
placing them in files which they can be quickly found is comparatively new.

Dr. Nehemiah Drew (1685)

 Probably the oldest written material on fingerprints is the 17th century writings
entitled “Philosophical Transactions” in 1684.
 He presented before the Royal Society in London, England.
 He presented his observations on the appearance of the ridges on the finger and
palms.
 He described the pores and the arrangement of ridges and showed a drawing of the
configurations of the same on the palms.

Govard Bidloo
 This was followed by another thesis by Goverd Bidloo (1685)
 Published a thesis entitled (Anatomia Humanis Corporis)
 This thesis supported the appearance and arrangement of the ridges on a thumb.
The breadths of individual ridges were exaggerated to show the individuals
characteristics of the ridge surface.
 Published a treaty describing sweat pores and ridges.

Midle (1885)
- Wrote the book, – “Human Anatomy”, in which he included a drawing of the thumb
print showing the ridge configuration of a whorl pattern.

Dr. Marcello Malpighi (1686)

(Grandfather of Dactyloscopy) according to Dr. Edmond Locard
– “Father of Poroscopy”
 An Italian Anatomist, published his work, “De externo Tactus Organo” in book form.
He described the ridges found on the palmar surface of the hand which course in
devise designs and the pores which served as the mouth on the sweat glands. More
than this, he was noted for his discovery of the inner and outer structures of the skin.
 He named the inner is dermis and the outer one epidermis

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Hintzo (1751)
 Wrote on the ridge formation but dealt with the subject from the viewpoint of
anatomy rather than identification.
Albinus (1764)
 Followed along the same line as Hintzo had written.

J.C.A. Mayer (1788)

 He published a book which was an Atlas of Anatomical Illustrations of
Fingerprints
 His remarks contain a statement which clearly pronounced one of the
fundamental principles of fingerprint science: “Although the arrangement of the
skin is never duplicated in two persons, nevertheless the similarities are closer
among some individuals.”

Herman Welcker (1856)

 Took the print of his right palm.
 To support the statement of Mayer, years later, in 1897, he printed the palm again,
and in the following year he publishd these prints.
 These prints, taken 41 years apart, prove that fingerprints do not change.
 Aside from the expected evidence of an advance in age, the ridges on the later
print are identical with those of the print made nearly half a century before.

Prof. Johannes E. Purkinje (December 22, 1823 Breslau, Germany), published a thesis;
 Commencio de Examine Phiciologico Organi Visus Et Systematics Cutanei)
“A Commentary of the Physiological Examination of the organs of Vision and
Cutaneous System)
- In which he classified fingerprints, giving them names, describing them, and
laying down rules for classification.

This was the first fingerprints were ever classified and it forms the basis of modern
fingerprinting. Purkinje did not, however, mention that they might be used to identify
individuals. He postulated nine pattern types, and most of these types and many of the rules
for their classification are followed today.

Kollman (1858)
 An anthropologist who wrote his book on ridges and pores.
 He did not associate fingerprints with identification.


Fingerprints as Method of Identification

Sir William James Hershel (1833-1917)

“Father of Chiroscopy”
 In 1916 published a 41 pages book.
 “The Origin of fingerprinting” – which describes his research starting in 1858 when
he practiced actual recording of the finger and palm prints of the natives in India.

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Dr. Henry Faulds (1880)

 In 1880 in Tokyo, japan published an article in the British Journal, “Nature”
describing the importance of fingerprints for identification purposes.
 His article “On the Skin furrows of the Hand” points out his observation that
chance prints left at the scene of crime would provide for positive identification of
offenders when apprehended.

Sir Francis Galton (1880)

 Is credited with being the first scientist of friction skin identification as well has
his role in promoting its use.
 Galton’s studies established the individuality of classifying fingerprint pattern.
 Galton, a cousin of Charles Darwin, was wealthy and probably the most able
scientist of his day.
 He attained pre-eminence not only in the field of anthropology and generic but
also in meteorology and exploration. With deep interest in his study, Galton was
able to discover the three families of fingerprint patterns – ARCH, LOOP
and WHORL.
 He devised a practical system of classification and filling.

Gilbert Thompson (1882)

 A U.S geological surveyor in charge of a field project in New Mexico used his
own fingerprints in commissary orders to prevent forgery.

Isaiah West Taber

 A photographer in San Francisco who was already engaged in the study and
promotion of the fingerprint system long before Galton’s participation.
 He advocated the use of the system for the registration of the immigrant Chinese.

1883 – An episode in Mark Twain’s life on the Mississippi relates to the identification of a
murderer by his thumbprint.

Twain (Samuel L. Clemens)

 Further developed his theme.
 Eleven (11) years later, he causes the publication of “Puddin Head Wilson” ,
- A novel based on dramatic fingerprint identification demonstrated during a court
trial.
- His story pointed out the infallibility of fingerprint identification.

Sir Edward Richard Henry (1888)

 Is considered the father of fingerprint science because of his persistence in devising
a workable system of classification.
 Was appointed assistant commissioner at Scotland Yard.
 His system was also acclaimed and officially adopted in Wales as well as throughout
England.
 The system was so applicable that Henry emerged as the “FATHER OF
FINGERPRINTS” at least as the first man to successfully apply fingerprints for
identification.

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By 1900, he published his work in book form and titled it Classification and Uses of
Fingerprints. In 1901 Henry was called back to England and was appointed as Assistant
commissioner of New Scotland Yard and concurrently Chief, fingerprint branch, a newly
created office.

Juan Vucetich (1891)

 An Argentinean fingerprint pioneer.
 Independently of the Continental and English fingerprint researches, another
system had been perfected and adopted in 1891 in Argentina.
 The Vucetich System and adaptation of it are employed in most Spanish-speaking
countries of Central and South America.
 He based his system of the pattern typed by Sir Francis Galton.
 He also claimed the first official criminal identification by means of fingerprints
left at the crime scene.

In 1892, at La Plata, Argentina,

 A woman named Rojas who had murdered her two sons and had cut her own
throat, though not fatal, blamed the attack on a neighbor.
Police Inspector Alvarez of La Plata, Argentina, solved the
“Rojas Murder Case” with a bloody fingerprint found on a door – the first such case
in recorded history.
 In 1896, anthropometry was abandoned in Argentina in favor of fingerprint
identification.

Official Use of Fingerprint Identification in the

United States of America

The use of fingerprint identification in the United States was slow to develop. Most
identification bureaus were locked into the Bertillion system until now-famous Will West
case at Leavenworth prison. When WILL WEST arrived to serve his sentence in 1903,
identification personnel insisted that he had been an inmate before. After being subjected to
the Bertillion measurements, officials found the file of one WILLIAM WEST, whose
measurements were virtually identical to the prison calling himself Will West. Even their
photograph showed a remark-able resemblance. But William West was still in prison serving
a murder sentence. Their respective fingerprints were taken, compared, and they bore no
resemblance. This unique case established the value of fingerprint identification in this
country. It is interesting to more that later research indicates that Will and William West were
most likely mono-zygote (identical) twins who were separated at a young age. (Sirchie, 2011)

1882 - Gilbert Thompson

 Of the US Geodetic survey used thumb print for camp orders on an expedition to New
Mexico. This was not official but it was proven useful (the record was dated Aug. 8,
1882)

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1902 – Sir Henry P. Forest
 Chief medical examiner of New York Civil Service Commission and an American
preacher in fingerprint science in the US for the New York Civil Service Commission
to prevent applicants from having better-qualified persons to take the test for them.

New York Civil Service Commission, on Dec. 19, 1902

 Required all civil service applicant to be fingerprinted.
 Dr. Henry P. Forest, put the system into practice.

1903
 Fingerprints identification was adopted in the following penitentiaries: Sing Sing,
Napanoch, Auburn,and Clinton.

1903 – New York State Prison in Albany

 Claims the first practical, systematic use of fingerprints in the US to identify
criminals.
 Captain James Parke of the institution installed the identification system where the
fingerprints of prisoners were taken and classified and the fingerprint system was
officially adopted in June of the year. Today, New York State uses the American
system that is similar to the Henry System and represents the system initiated by Capt.
Parke in 1903.

1904 – John Kenneth Ferrer (Perrier)

 Of the fingerprint branch of the New Scotland Yard, attended the St. Louis Missouri
World Fair.

1904 – The City of St. Louis Missouri

 1st City to adopt fingerprint.
 The Police Department officials adopted the system on Oct. 29, 1904.

1904. Maj. R. Mccloughry

 The warden of Federal Penitentiary of Leavenworth when the office of the Atty.
General of the U.S granted permission to establish a fingerprint bureau therein.
 It was the 1st national government used of fingerprints.

1905
 Fingerprint was officially adopted by the U.S Army
 1st military use of fingerprint

1907 – Fingerprinting was officially adopted by the U.S Navy (January 11, 1907).
 In the same year, Mary Holland was hired by the US Navy as a fingerprint instructor.
 She is considered to be the second American fingerprint instructor in the United
States (2nd to Parke)
 But the 1st woman fingerprint instructor

 Her teaching promoted the Henry System throughout the United States (nwlean.net)
1908
 Fingerprinting was officially adopted by the U.S Marine Corps.

1910 – Frederick A. Brayley

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 Published what appears to be the American book in Fingerprints.
 The book was published in Boston by the Worcester Press.

1911
 The State of Illinois, made the 1st criminal conviction based solely upon fingerprint
evidence.
 It was known as the 1st judicial ruling on such evidence, (People vs Jennings, 252
Illinois 543-96 NE 1007, 43 LRA (NS) 1206 for 1991.

1915 – The International Association of Criminal Identification was founded.

 The word “CRIMINAL” was later dropped from the Association’s name.
 It is the 1st organized body of professional identification experts.

1916 – The Institution of Applied Science

 Established at Chicago, Illinois was the 1st school to teach fingerprint identification.
(June 16, 1916)

1916 – Frederick Kuhne

 Published a book entitled “The Fingerprint Instructor,” which probably the 1st
authoritative boo in fingerprint to be circulated in the U.S Munn and Co., served as
the publisher.
1919
 Marked the publication of “Fingerprint and Identification Magazine’ Chicago.
 The 1st monthly journal devoted exclusively to fingerprint science.
1967- Minutiae
 Was initiated by the FBI, a computerized scanning equipment to read and record
fingerprint identifying characteristics.

1920 – The Exceptional Arch

 New pattern, was adopted to Henry’s system by American Experts.
 The pattern was added after the study made by the assembly members at annual
convention of the International Association of Identification in 1920.

1922 – Haken Jersengen

 The sub-director of police in Copenhagen, Denmark introduced 1st a longdistance
identification to US at a police conference.
1924
 The book entitled “Single Fingerprint System” by T.K Larson,
 Was 1st published in U.S., (Berkley, Police monograph series) D. Application and Co.,
New York City.

1924 – The Identification Division of the FBI

 Was established after J. Edgar Hoover was appointed Director.
1924 – The 1st Bureau of Investigation
 Was created by the act of Congress.
 The bureau was established within the US DOJ (Washington DC).
1925 – Harry J. Myers II
Installed the 1st official fact Fingerprint Maternity hospital in Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, U.S.A
1925 – The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

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 Used compulsory foot and fingerprinting of new born infants and mothers which was
enacted into law by act of General assembly as approved on April 20, 1925.
1932 – The International Exchange of fingerprint date
 Was initiated with a number of other nations on February 15, 1932.

1933 – The Bureau of Identification

 U.S Department of Justice, adopted the single fingerprint identification system.
 The 1st national use of single print for identification purposes for certain crimes only.
(Feb 1933)

Fingerprints in the Philippines

1. 1900 Mr. Jones
 1st to teach fingerprints in the Philippine Constabulary.
2. 1918 – The Bureau of Prisons
 Records show that carpetas (commitment and conviction records) already bear
fingerprints.
3. Under the management of Lt. Asa N. Darby
 During the American occupation in the Philippines, a modern and complete
fingerprint file has been established for the Philippine Commonwealth.
4. Generoso Reyes
 1937, 1st Filipino fingerprint technician, employed by the Philippine Constabulary.
 Capt. Thomas Dugan of New York City Police Department and Mr. Flaviano C.
Gurrero of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) gave the 1st examination of
fingerprints.
5. People vs. Medina
 1933, the 1st conviction based on fingerprints was handed by the Supreme Court of
the Philippines.
 This case is considered the leading judicial decision in the Philippine
jurisprudence concerning fingerprinting (December 23).
 It accepted 10 points or identical ridge characteristics.
6. Plaridel educational Institution
 The science of fingerprinting was 1st offered as a subject in the Philippines
through this effort.
Dogmatic Principles of Fingerprint
1. Principle of Individuality
- No two persons have the same fingerprint patterns.
- Some mathematician however, did not omit the possibility that two persons will
be having the same fingerprint patterns to a ratio of 1:64 billion.
2. Principle of Permanency
- It explains that the fingerprint of every individual will remain unchangeable until
one losses his life and decomposed.
- Fingerprint started to develop at 3rd embryonic period of fetal life.
- This principle is sometimes called “Principle of Womb to Tomb.”
3. Principle of Infallibility
- Fingerprint is reliable.
- It is positive science.
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- It cannot be forged.
- There were however, several persons have tried to forged their fingerprint but no
avail.

Can Fingerprint be Effaced or Erased?

JOHN DELLINGER, a notorious gangster and a police character, attempted to
erase his fingerprints by burning them with acid but as time went by the ridges were restore
again to their “natural” feature. The acid he applied temporarily destroyed the epidermis of
the bulbs of his fingers.
As long as the dermis of the bulbs of the fingers are not completely destroyed, the
fingerprints will always remain unchanged and indestructible.

LOCARD AND WITKOWSJI of Lyons, performed rather painful experiments on

themselves by burning their fingertips with boiling water, hot oil and hot metal had shown
that after the healing of the epidermis (outer skin), the original patterns of fingerprints
reappeared.

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MODULE 1
LESSON 1
SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITY

NAME: DATE: SCORE:

I. IDENTIFICATION. Give the right answer.
Strictly NO erasures, alterations and superimposition allowed.
1. His remarks contain a statement which clearly pronounced one of the fundamental
principles of fingerprint science: “Although the arrangement of the skin is never
duplicated in two persons, nevertheless the similarities are closer among some
individuals.”
2. The 1st conviction based on fingerprints was handed by the Supreme Court of the
Philippines.
3. A woman who had murdered her two sons and had cut her own throat, though not
fatal, blamed the attack on a neighbor.
4. An anthropologist who wrote his book on ridges and pores.
5. The greater the number of points of similarities and dissimilarities of two persons
compared, the greater the probability for the conclusion to be correct.
6. It is the process of individualizing human person.
7. It is the system of body measurement had by this time spread throughout the world.
8. He used finger seals on contracts and law officers of the day were authorized to
secure fingerprints of arrested persons.
9. The 1st Filipino fingerprint technician, employed by the Philippine Constabulary.
10. A computerized scanning equipment to read and record fingerprint identifying
characteristics.
11. He solved the Rojas Murder Case with a bloody fingerprint found on a door.
12. Who wrote the book Human Anatomy?
13. It is the sum total of the application of all sciences on the detection of crime, deals
with the laboratory examination of physical evidence connected with the commission
of the crime.
14. Who established the individuality of classifying fingerprint pattern?
15. He published a treaty describing sweat pores and ridges.

II. ESSAY. In your own words. Explain the early methods of Personal Identification.

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III. CROSSWORD PUZZLE

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LESSON 2:

Delta, Core, Ridge and Fingerprint Pattern

Methods of Identification.
1. By Comparison
– The identifying details or characteristics found at the crime scene compared to
known records of the victim or suspect.
2. By exclusion
– Elimination.

Two main Layer of skin

1. Epidermis – outer layer of skin
The thin outermost layer of the skin, itself made up of several layers, that
covers and protects the underlying dermis.
2. Dermis – inner layer of skin beneath epidermis
The thick sensitive layer of skin or connective tissue beneath the epidermis
that contains blood, lymph vessels, sweat glands, and nerve ending.

What are friction ridge?

Friction Ridge are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs by
which fingerprints are made. They are also called papillary or epidermal ridges.

Components of Friction Ridges

Ridges – are tiny elevation or hill like structures found on the epidermis layer of the skin
containing sweat pores. They appear as black lines with tiny white dots called pores in an
inked impression.
Furrows – Are the canal like impressions or a depression found between the ridges which
may be compared with the low area in a tire thread. They appear as white as lines in an inked
impression.

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Sweat Pores – are small opening found anywhere across the ridge surface but are usually
found near center.
Sweat ducts – are long host-like structures that serves as the passageway for the sweat that
exist at its mouth, the pores.
Sweat glands – are glands found in the dermis layer of the skin which is responsible for the
production of sweat. (watery substance)

Kinds of Sweat Glands

Eccrine Glands – these are found in all parts of the body and are the only sweat glands found
on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Apocrine Glands – those are found in the pubic, mammary and anal areas.
Sebaceous Glands – those are located on the forehead, chest, back and abdomen with an oily
secretion called sebum.

DACTYLOSCOPY
On the other hand is the scientific study of fingerprints as method of identification.
Dactyloscopy is more on the methods of classifying and comparison of fingerprints or the
studying of fingerprints to establish identification. (ask.com)

THE NUMBER OF RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS AS A BASIS OF ABSOLUTE

IDENTITY

There are no national or international rules or laws that fix the number of ridge
characteristics that must be present in both the questioned and the standard prints that should
be used for establishing for absolute identity. Experts of different countries differ in the
requirements of the minimum number. In England, the minimum ridge characteristics is 16,
in US the minimum ridge requirement is 12 ridge characteristics. However, fingerprint
experts in these countries believes that identity can be established in lower number of
guidelines as laid down by the famous French Criminalist and the “Father of Poroscopy.”

The guidelines are as follows:

A. Clearness of the pattern

B. Rarity of the type.
C. Presence of core and delta in decipherable part.
D. Presence of pores.
E. The perfect and clear identity of the width of the ridges and furrows, of direction
of the lines.

STEPS IN FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION

1. ANALYSIS – The unknown area of friction ridge structure (latent prints) must be
examined. The specific area of finger, palm or sole of the foot suspected of making the
impression is determined. The clarity of the impression and the variety of details present are
established.

2. COMPARISON – The friction ridge structure is then compared to the exemplars.

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3. EVALUATION – Similarities or dissimilarities present in the ridge structure will each
have specific value toward establishing the individuality of the area of friction ridge structure.

4. VERIFICATION – The opinion of the forensic identification examiner must be verified

by another examiner.

Friction Ridges or Papillary Ridges

1. Friction ridge breath – The width of the friction ridges varies in different areas as well
in different people. In general, they are narrower in females and wider in males.

2. Ridge units and pores – Pore ducts open along the top of the friction ridges. Each ridge
unit has one sweat gland and a pore opening randomly somewhere on its surface. Eccrine
gland contains approximately 99% water and 1% solid.

3. Specific ridge path – The friction ridges have been compared to corduroy, but unlike
corduroy they are not continuous in nature. The path taken by the ridges may branch, start or
stop, turn, twist, or thicken and narrow independently .

4. Incipient friction ridges – Narrow and often fragmented ridges may appear between
normal friction ridges. These are called incipient, rudimentary, or nascent ridges. They differ
from the typical ridge by being thinner and fragmented.

5. Friction ridge imbrications – In some areas of the volar surfaces, the friction ridges all
tend to lean on the same direction. Imbrications ridges vary among individuals and even the
regions of volar areas where they are found.

6. Overall friction ridge pattern – The friction ridges form patterns on the volar surface.
The most common are concentric, looping, or arching formations. Friction ridges patterns
also enhance the ability of volar skin to resist slippage. The pattern also enhances tactile
sensitivity due to the increased friction.

FINGERPRINT PATTERNS
RADIAL LOOP – A loop is radial when the opening end of the loop ridge points in the direction of the
thumb side of either the left or right hand.
- The loop is radial if the flow of ridges is towards the radius bone or the thumb side of either left or
right hand.

RIGHT HAND

ULNAR LOOP – A loop is ulnar when the opening end of the loop ridge points in the direction of the
little finger side of either the left or right hand.
- The loop is ulnar low of ridges is towards the ulna bone or the little finger side of either left or right
hand.

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RIGHT HAND

REQUISITES OF A LOOP
1. It must have a core.
2. It must have a delta.
3. It must have a recurving ridge that passes between the core and the delta.
4. It must have a ridge count of at least one.

Pattern Interpretation
1. Arch 5%
(Plain 60% and Tented – 40%)

A fingerprint pattern in which the ridges enter on one

side of the pattern and flow towards the other side, with
a rise in the center with not more than one of the four
requisites for a loop and with no recurving ridge, no
angular formation, and no upward trust.

Is a type of fingerprint pattern where majority of the

ridges are forming an arch and one or more of the ridges
at the center shape a tent, a tent in outline giving an
angle of 90 degrees or less or one with an angle of 45
degrees or more or a pattern similar to a loop, but lack
at least one requisite of a loop.
A variety of arch family but their ridge
formation is not so simple as those of a plain arch, also
considered “transitional pattern” between a plain arch
and a loop.

2. Loops 60% to 65%

(Ulnar 94% and Radial 6%)

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3. Whorl 30% to 35%

(Plain 71%, Central Pocket 13%, Double loop 13% and Accidental loop 3%)

A fingerprint pattern which form the most part of a

loop, but which has a small whorl inside the loop ridges,
sometimes called a “composite pattern” which means that it is
made up of two patterns in one, a whorl inside a loop.

It has two deltas, one which appears at the edge of the

pattern area as in loop and one which shows inside the pattern
area just below the counterpart ridges.

A fingerprint pattern consisting of two separate and

distinct loop formations. One of the loop surrounds or overlaps
the other, also called “composite patterns” like the central
pocket loop whorl. It arises from the fact that these patterns are
a composite or combination of two patterns in one with two
cores and two deltas.
The two loops in a double loop whorl need not comply
with all the requirements for a loop pattern that no ridge count
is necessary for both loops in the formation.
The two loops do not have the same length nor the same
size. All that is required is that there be two separate and
distinct loop formations, two sets of shoulders and two deltas.

A fingerprint pattern that is a combination of two or

more different types of pattern except in plain arch. It can be a
combination of a loop and a whorl, a loop and a central pocket
loop whorl or any combination of two different loops and whorl
patterns.
Like the central pocket loop whorl and the double loop whorl,
some authors call accidental whorl “composites.”
Unlike the other whorl type patterns, an accidental
whorl can be having two, three or four deltas. An accidental
whorl pattern is one that looks like a conglomeration of ridges.

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5 Basic Ridge Characteristics

(sirchie, 2011). The following minutiae or ridge characteristics are the most often
encountered and most frequently used in making fingerprint comparison.

Ridge Characteristics

BIFURCATION or BIFURCATING RIDGE

- A single ridge which splits into two ridges forming a “Y” shape forming or
structure.
DOT or SERIES OF SHORT RIDGE
- They are fragmentary ridges formed by short or series of short ridges.
SHORT or SERIES OF SHORT RIDGES
- They are fragmentarily ridges formed by short or series of short ridges.
RIDGE ENDING
- It is a termination or ending of ridge or ridges.
ENCLOSURE, also known as Island, Eyelet, lake or eye
- It is a single ridge which bifurcates where the bifurcating ridges converge at a
certain point to form again into a single ridge.

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Other Ridge Formations / Characteristics

RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS – are those little details of fingerprint patterns which are in
used in comparing and identifying fingerprints. Characteristics are those ridge structure and
elements which impart individuality to a fingerprint.

*Millions of prints have the same pattern types, but out

of all prints on earth, now two prints of different have
characteristics of the same shape, size, and distribution
through the patterns.
*When fingerprints are prepares for use in court, it is
these characteristics which have to be pointed out as the identifying features which prove that
the two fingerprint impressions are, or are not the same.

Appendage
- A short ridge at the top or summit of a recurve usually at right angle.

BIFURCATION OR BIFURCATING RIDGE – Is a single ridge which splits into two ridges
forming a Y shape structure.

DOUBLE BIFURCATION is a bifurcation where one of the ridge path bifurcates.

TRIFURCATION - The point at which one ridge divides into three ridges or when two
bifurcations develop next to each other on the same ridge, a unique formation.

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CONVERGING RIDGE – two or more ridges which meet at a point are converging, and the
point at which they meet is called the point of convergence.
- Two or more lines forming an angle, a ridge whose closed end is angular and
serves as a point of convergence.

OPPOSED BIFURCATION are bifurcations found on both ends of a ridge.

Core
- It is a point on a ridge formation usually located at the center or heart of a pattern.
- It is an approximate center of the pattern.

Creases
- Are thin, usually straight narrow white lines running transversely or formed side
to side, across the print, causing the puckering of the ridges.

Delta or Triradial Point

It a point on the 1st ridge formation at or directly in front or near the center of
the divergence of the type lines.

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Dissociated ridges
Are unusual ridge structures having no well-defined patterns; the ridges are
extremely short, appear like a series of “patches” caused by a disturbance of
developmental process at early fetal life of the individual.

Diverging ridges
Two ridges running side by side and suddenly separating, one ridge going one
way and the other ridge, another way.
Is the spreading of two lines which have been running parallel or nearly
parallel.

Envelop
Is a single recurving ridge enclosing one or more rods or bars.

Fragmentary Ridges
- They consist of disconnected sequences of short ridge embodied intensely. These
are considered in the classification of fingerprints if they appear as dark and as
thick as the surrounded ridges within the pattern area.
- Group of series of short ridges less than 3mm in length.

Focal Point
- With in pattern areas of loop and whorls are enclosed the focal points which are
used to classify them. These points are the DELTA and the CORE.

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Friction Ridges
- These are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of the ridges and thumbs.
They are also called papillary ridges or epidermal ridges.

Furrows
- Are depressions or canals between the ridges which is madly formed, thin, short
or broken which appears in the depressions between two well-formed ridges.
Island
- A short ridge located within the temporary divergence of parallel ridges, running
parallel to the ridge on either side.

Incipient or Nascent Ridges

- Are depressions or canals between the ridges which maybe compared with the low
area in a tire tread.

Puckering
- As growth ceases at several ends, the ends curl slightly.

Recurving Ridges
- Is a ridge that curves back in the direction in which it started.

Ridge Bridge
- This is a connecting ridge between two ridges.
- A connecting friction ridge between parallel running ridges, generally right angles

Rod or Bar
- Is a single ending ridge at the center of a recurving ridge of a loop pattern.

SPURS (HOOKS) - A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge

Sufficient Recurve
- The space between shoulders of a loop, free of any appendage, and a butting at
right angle.

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Up Thrust
- Is an ending ridge of any length rising at a sufficient degree from a horizontal
place.

Type Lines and Pattern Area

1. Type line – basic boundaries of most fingerprint.
2. Pattern Area – the part of the fingerprint which lies within the area surrounded by
the type lines.

TYPELINES – These are basic boundaries of all fingerprint patterns. They are formed with ridges
which run parallel, then diverge or separate tending to surround the pattern area.

PATTERN AREA - Is a part of fingerprint which lies within the area surrounded by the type lines.

RULES ON CORE LOCATION

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Core, as the name implies, it is the approximate center the pattern.

RULES IN THE SELECTION OF THE CORE OF A LOOP TYPE OF PATTERN

RULE 1. The core is placed upon or within innermost sufficient recurve.

The rule explains only as to the core can be possibly located. The sufficient recurve is a
point where a ridge is at the back from the direction from where it started.

RULE 2. When the innermost sufficient recurve 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 farther
from the delta.

RULE 3. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains an EVEN 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.

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RULE 4. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains an UNEVEN of rods rising as
high as the shoulders, the core is placed upon the end of the farther one of the two center
rods, the two center rods being treated as though they were connected by a recurving
ridge.

RULES ON DELTA LOCATION

Delta is defined as the first obstruction at or in front of and nearest the center of the
point of divergence of the type lines. So to speak, delta is obviously located at the point of
divergence of the two typelines. Is a point on first ridge formation at or directly in front or
near the center of the divergence of the type lines.
*the delta is comparable to the small island found at the middle of the river which water
flows towards the lake.
The following maybe considered as delta:
* Bifurcation
* An abrupt ending ridge
* A dot
* A short ridge
* A meeting of two ridges
* A point on the 1st recurving ridge located nearest to the center and in front of the
divergence of the type lines.

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RULE 1. The delta may not be located in a bifurcation which does not open towards the

core.

RULE 2. When there is a choice between a bifurcation and another type of delta, the
bifurcation is selected.

RULE 3. When there is a series of bifurcation opening towards the core at the point of the
divergence of the type lines, the bifurcation nearest to the core is chosen.

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RULE 4. the delta may not be located in the middle of the ridge running between the type
lines towards the core, but the nearest end only. The location of the delta depends entirely
upon the origin of the ridge running between the type lines towards the core. If the ridge is
entirely within the pattern area, the delta is located at the end nearer to the point of

divergence.

RULE 5. If the ridge enters the pattern area from the point of divergence of the type lines, the
delta must be located at the end nearer to the core.

RIDGE COUNTING AND RIDGE TRACING

1. RIDGE COUNTING – it is the process of counting the intervention ridges that touch
or cross an imaginary line drawn between the core and delta.
2. RIDGE TRACING – it is the process of tracing the ridges that emanate from the
lower side of the left delta towards the right delta to see where it flows in relation to
the right delta.

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MODULE 1
LESSON 2
SELF-LEARNING ACTIVITY

NAME: DATE: SCORE:

I. Draw and identify the specific type of fingerprint patterns under the three-general
type of patterns.
Take Note: Strictly NO ERASURES, ALTERATIONS
AND SUPERIMPOSITIONS ALLOWED
Use: Blue, Red and Black point ballpen.

Arch (blue)

Loops (red)

Whorl (black)

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20 15 10
CATEGORY Above Standards Meets Standards Below Standards
NEATNESS Finished output Erasures/smudges Finished output ahs so
was neatly done, no are observable on many erasures/smudges
erasures nor the finished present.
smudges. output.

ORIGINALITY/C The student Tried a few ideas Fulfilled the assignment

REATIVITY explored several but based his/her but gave no evidence of
choices, generating work on someone trying anything unusual.
many ideas, else’s idea. Shows no evidence of
unusual original thought.
combinations, or
changes on several
ideas.
EFFORT Drawing is Worked hard and Chose only easy projects
complete and completed the and did the work
shows effort far idea drawing but indifferently. Completed
beyond that which could have with minimum effort or
was required. improved with not finished.
more effort.

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II.UNSCRAMBLE WORDS

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III. Imprint the fingerprint of your thumb and index finger on the
space provided. Label the delta and core of your fingerprints.
Locate your Delta and Core.

Take Note: Strictly NO ERASURES, ALTERATIONS

AND SUPERIMPOSITIONS ALLOWED
Use: Blue, Red and Black point ballpen.

THUMB
FINGER
LEFT THUMB RIGHT THUMB

INDEX
FINGER

LEFT INDEX FINGER RIGHT INDEX FINGER

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