Slide 1: Title Slide
Title: Personal Identification: Collection and Preservation in Relation to
Philippine Law
Subtitle: Preparing for the Criminology Board Exam
Your Name/Institution
Date
Chapter I: Overview of Dactyloscopy (Fingerprint Identification)
Slide 2: Introduction to Dactyloscopy
Dactyloscopy: The study of fingerprints for identification purposes.
Importance in Forensic Science: Fingerprints are unique,
permanent, and unchangeable, making them ideal for identifying
individuals.
Practical Example: A burglar is identified from a latent fingerprint
lifted from a broken window.
Slide 3: Historical Evolution of the Fingerprint System
Historical Background: Early use in ancient Babylon for business
transactions; systematized by Sir Francis Galton in 1892.
Modern Use in the Philippines: Adopted by law enforcement
agencies like the NBI for criminal identification.
Quote: “Fingerprint evidence has been recognized by courts as highly
reliable for personal identification.”
Google Search Prompt: "Historical fingerprint records used in law
enforcement"
Slide 4: The Foreign Setting
Global Application of Fingerprints: Countries like the UK, the US,
and Japan were pioneers in forensic fingerprinting.
International Criminal Investigations: Interpol uses fingerprint
databases to identify criminals across borders.
Example: Interpol identifies a fugitive by matching fingerprints from
different countries.
Slide 5: Philippine Setting of Fingerprint Identification
History in the Philippines: The Philippines adopted fingerprint
identification in the early 20th century.
NBI and PNP Role: Both agencies maintain comprehensive fingerprint
databases used in background checks and criminal investigations.
Legal Requirement: RA 157 mandates that the NBI maintain a
national fingerprint database.
Slide 6: Dogmatic Principles of Fingerprints
Permanence and Uniqueness: Fingerprints do not change over time
and are unique to every individual, including identical twins.
Legal Quote: "Fingerprint evidence is admissible in court if it can be
proven that the prints were obtained without alteration." – Rule 128 of
the Revised Rules on Evidence
Google Search Prompt: "Police lifting fingerprints from a crime
scene"
Slide 7: Finger Abnormalities
Common Fingerprint Abnormalities: Some individuals have rare
abnormalities like missing or extra ridges, which complicate
identification.
Example: A suspect with scarred or missing fingers requiring
alternative identification methods such as palm prints.
Chapter II: Friction Skin
Slide 8: Two Layers of the Skin
Epidermis and Dermis: The epidermis houses friction ridges, while
the dermis supports and nourishes the skin.
Ridge Patterns: These are formed by the folding of the epidermis,
creating unique ridge patterns.
Google Search Prompt: "Diagram of epidermis and dermis layers"
Slide 9: Sweat Glands in Friction Skin
Eccrine Sweat Glands: Responsible for the secretion of sweat, which
leaves behind latent fingerprints.
Importance in Forensic Science: Sweat composition can affect the
visibility of latent prints.
Slide 10: Ridge Characteristics
Types of Ridge Characteristics: Includes bifurcations, ridge endings,
and islands (dots).
Practical Example: A forensic expert analyzes the minutiae in a
latent fingerprint to match it to a suspect.
Google Search Prompt: "Close-up of fingerprint ridge characteristics"
Slide 11: Creases and Type Lines
Creases: Visible lines that do not form part of the ridge structure.
Type Lines: Two diverging ridges that form the outer boundary of a
fingerprint pattern.
Practical Example: Determining type lines in a latent print during
forensic analysis.
Slide 12: Two Focal Points of Fingerprints
Core and Delta: The core is the center of a fingerprint, while the delta
is a triangular region formed by ridge divergence.
Practical Example: Identifying the core and delta in a whorl pattern
during a criminal investigation.
Slide 13: Ridge Counting and Ridge Tracing
Ridge Counting: The process of counting the ridges between the core
and delta in loop patterns.
Ridge Tracing: Following the ridge path around the pattern in whorl
prints.
Google Search Prompt: "Fingerprint ridge counting and tracing
example"
Chapter III: Fingerprint Types and Classifications
Slide 14: Three Major Groups of Fingerprints
Arches, Loops, and Whorls: The three basic patterns found in
fingerprints.
Arches: Simplest form, with no deltas or cores. Found in about 5% of
the population.
Loops: Enter and exit from the same side. Found in 60% of people.
Whorls: Circular patterns with two deltas. Found in 35% of individuals.
Slide 15: Sub-Groups of Fingerprints
Eight Sub-Groups: Includes plain arches, tented arches, radial loops,
ulnar loops, plain whorls, central pocket loops, double loops, and
accidental whorls.
Practical Example: Identifying a tented arch in a latent print at a
crime scene.
Slide 16: Rubric Activity – Identifying Fingerprint Patterns
Activity No. 8: Arches Identification
Activity No. 9: Loops Identification
Activity No. 10: Whorls Identification
Google Search Prompt: "Fingerprint identification activities for
criminology students"
Slide 17: Fingerprint Classification Overview
Classification: Organizing fingerprints systematically based on
pattern types.
Purpose in Criminal Investigations: Enables law enforcement to
search and compare fingerprint databases efficiently.
Slide 18: The Classification Formula
Primary Classification: Based on the number of whorls.
Secondary and Sub-Secondary Classifications: Based on ridge
counts and minutiae.
Practical Example: The FBI’s Integrated Automated Fingerprint
Identification System (IAFIS) uses classification formulas for database
matching.
Slide 19: Scarred Patterns and Missing Fingers
Scarred Patterns: Classified by noting distortions in ridge lines
caused by injury or scarring.
Missing Fingers: For cases of congenital absence or amputation,
alternative identification methods like palm prints or toe prints are
used.
Slide 20: Rubric Activities on Classification
Activity No. 13: Blocking Out
Activity No. 14: Primary Classification
Activity No. 15: Secondary Classification
Google Search Prompt: "Fingerprint classification examples"
Chapter V: Crime Scene Investigation of Fingerprints
Slide 21: Crime Scene Investigation Basics
Role of Crime Scene Investigator: To locate, collect, and preserve
evidence, including fingerprints, to ensure they are admissible in court.
Google Search Prompt: "Crime scene investigation team collecting
fingerprints"
Slide 22: Latent Prints
Definition of Latent Prints: Invisible to the naked eye, left behind
through sweat, oils, or other residues.
Methods of Locating: Powders, chemicals, and alternate light
sources.
Slide 23: Basic Fingerprint Equipment
Fingerprint Lifting Kits: Includes brushes, powders, lifting tape, and
fingerprint cards.
Forensic Lights: Used to detect latent prints by using ultraviolet light
or lasers.
Google Search Prompt: "Fingerprint lifting equipment used by
forensic experts"
Slide 24: Methods of Developing Latent Prints
Powder Dusting: Using black or metallic powders to reveal prints on
non-porous surfaces.
Chemical Fuming: Cyanoacrylate (superglue) fumes bond to the
fingerprint residues on objects.
Slide 25: Rubrics for Fingerprint Collection Methods
Activity No. 22: Brushing Method (Black Powder)
Activity No. 25: Fuming Method (Cyanoacrylate Solution)
Activity No. 26: Dipping Method (Ninhydrin Solution)
Google Search Prompt: "Forensic fuming method for latent
fingerprints"
Slide 26: Collection Procedures for Fingerprint Evidence
Steps in Collection:
o Proper use of gloves and tools to prevent contamination.
o Documenting the location, time, and type of evidence.
Legal Quote: “All evidence must be properly collected, labeled, and
preserved to maintain chain of custody.” – RA 10071
Chapter VI: Guidelines in Taking Standard Fingerprints
Slide 27: Standard Fingerprints
What are Standard Prints?: Impressions taken under controlled
conditions, typically from suspects or witnesses for comparison
purposes.
Slide 28: Legal Framework in Taking Fingerprints
Law on Fingerprinting: Under Philippine law, fingerprinting a suspect
is legal when connected to an ongoing investigation.
RA 7438: “The rights of persons arrested or detained include the right
to be informed of their right to remain silent and the right against self-
incrimination.”
Slide 29: Investigator's Guide in Taking Fingerprints
Best Practices: Ensuring that the fingers are properly inked and
pressed on the fingerprint card to avoid smudges or incomplete prints.
Slide 30: Problems Encountered During Fingerprinting
Common Issues: Smudged prints, improper inking, or non-
cooperation from the suspect.
Slide 31: Conclusion
Summary: Personal identification through fingerprints is a reliable and
critical tool in criminal investigations.
Legal Importance: Proper collection, preservation, and presentation
of fingerprint evidence is necessary for ensuring its admissibility in
court.
