FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

CORE AND DELTA LOCATION

o Core and Delta – are the focal points of
fingerprint patterns except in arch pattern.

 Core
- is a point on the ridge formation usually
located at the center or heart of the
pattern.
- Also known as inner terminus

 Delta
- Is a point on the ridge formation at or
directly in front or near the center or the
divergence of the type lines
- Known as outer terminus

Rules in The Selection of Typelines, Core &

Delta

TYPELINES:
1. two innermost ridges that start or go parallel,
2. diverge and surround or tend to surround the
pattern area:
a. core, Typelines are two inner ridges that encloses
b. delta and the pattern area. (Ridge A and B)
c. ridges which are used in the classification of
a loop.
RULES
1. Typelines are not always two continuous
ridges, but are often broken. When there is a
definite break in a typeline, the ridge
immediately outside of it is considered as its
continuation.
2. When locating typelines, it is necessary to
keep in mind the difference between a
divergence and a bifurcation.
3. The arms of a
bifurcation on
which the delta is
located cannot be
used for
typelines.
- The
bifurcation
cannot be
used as a
type line. WE
MOVE
OUTWARD to
ridge which
does run
parallel to
this,
It meets the
criteria for a type line and is in fact the type
line in this pattern.

4. Angles cannot be considered for typelines.

The Pattern
- Part of a loop or
whorl in which
appear the core(s),
delta(s), and
ridge(s) with which
we are concerned in
fingerprint pattern
determination and
classification.
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
the center of the divergence, or directly in
front of the point of divergence)
Type lines are not always two continuous
ridges. 2nd, The ridge delta is attached. – may be
a. Attached to both type lines or to only one of
The ridge immediately outside of it is them
considered as itscontinuation,as shown by the b. Attached to the ridges converging upon it
emphasized ridges in figure 13. from within the pattern area.

3rd, the ridge NOT a delta – may not be located

THE DELTA: a. At a bifurcation which does not open towards
1. point on a ridge at or nearest to the point of the core
divergence of two typelines, and
2. is located at or directly in front of the point of 4th, Delta on a ridge – may be either end of the
divergence. ridge running between the type lines
a. When a ridge runs half-waybetween the
type lines and the pattern area, the delta is
placed on the end of the ridge nearest the
core.
b. Ridge runs entirely within the pattern area,
the delta is placed on the end nearest the
point of divergence of the type lines
c. When a ridge enters the pattern area from a
point below the divergence of the typelines,
the delta is placed on the end nearest the
core.

5th, Multiple Deltas – two or more possible

deltas

Fingerprint deltas are only present in LOOPS

AND WHORLS. There are basically four types of
fingerprint whorls. The plain with two deltas,
central pocket with two deltas, the double loop
whorls with two deltas and accidental whorls which
have two or more deltas.
Forms of a Delta
a.
DELTA RULES
1. When there are two or more possible bifurcation a.
deltas that conform to the definition, the one
nearest the core should be chosen. a.
2. The delta may not be located in the middle
of a ridge running between type lines towards a.
the core, but at the end nearest to the core.
3. A dot may be used as a delta. A dot has no a.
direction.
4. The delta may not be located at a bifurcation a. Bifurcation
that does not open toward the core. b. An abrupt ending ridge
5. When there is a choice between a bifurcation c. A Dot
and another type of delta, the bifurcation is d. Short ridge
selected. e. A

Delta Selection
1st, Delta location – may be
a. Point on the 1st bifurcation which opens
towards the core (33)
b. An abrupt ending ridge (34)
c. An angle, or the meeting of 2 ridges (45)
d. A dot (35)
e. Fragmentary ridge
f. Any point upon a ridge (center of the
divergence of the 2 type lines or nearest to

converging (meeting of two ridges at some point)

f. A point on the first recurving ridge located nearest
to the center and in front of the divergence of the
type lines
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
on the shoulder of the loop farther from
the delta.

3. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains

an uneven number of rods as high as the
shoulders, the core is place upon the end of the
center of the rod whether it touches the looping
ridge or not.

4. When the innermost sufficient recurve contains

an even number of rods rising as high as the
shoulders of said recurving ridge is placed upon the
end of the farther one of the two center rods, the
two rods being treated as though they were
Forms of a Core connected by a recurving ridge.
a. Bar or a rod
- Point located at the tip of the ending ridge
- Rising high or above the shoulders of the
innermost recurving ridge.
b. Staple core
- Point located on the shoulder of the
innermost looping or recurving ridge
- Farther from the delta
c. Fragmentary core
- Very short ridge or dot 5. Interlocking loops: Join the two loops with an
ridge imaginary recurve, making one loop with a rod or rod
- Located on or above the shoulder lines of inside. Count the rod(s) shoulder-high and then fix
the innermost recurving or looping ridge the core.

THE CORE:
1. Approximate center of the pattern.
2. It is placed upon or within the innermost
sufficient recurve.

CORE RULES:

1. The core is located on the shoulder of the

innermost loop farthest from the delta.
- The core is placed upon or within the Classification of Fingerprint Pattern
innermost sufficient recurve. - There are numerous fingerprint
classification systems in use throughout
the world today.

 These systems are all based on three

fundamental
ridge formations described by:

1. PURKINJE – The first system of classification

of fingerprints was introduced by Jan
Evangelista Purkynje (1787-1869), a Czech
physiologist, in 1823. He divided the papillary
lines into nine types, based on their geometric
2. The core is located on the spike or rod in the
arrangement. This work, however, was not
center of the innermost recurve, provided the
recognized internationally for many years.
spike or rod rises high as the shoulders.
- The innermost sufficient recurve contains
Johannes Purkinje (Jan Evangelista Purkyně
no ending ridge or rod rising as high as
or Johann Evangelist Purkinje)
the shoulder of the loop, the core is placed
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
- Purkinje was the first scientist to classify 1. When a bifurcation is exactly at the point where
fingerprints into the three distinct pattern the imaginary line crosses, two ridges are
types (loop, arch and whorl) counted.
2. If the line crosses an island both sides are
2. GALTON – Francis Galton, individual counted.
characteristics were described by Sir Francis 3. Fragments and dots are counted as ridges only if
Galton they appear as thick and heavy as the other
- They are tiny irregularities that appear ridges in the immediate pattern.
within the friction ridges and are referred
to as Galton's details. The most common WHORL TRACING – When the deltas have been
types of Galton's details located, the ridge emanating from the lower side or
are bifurcation, ridge endings, and point of the extreme left delta is traced until
dots or islands. the point nearest or opposite the extreme right
- Galton designed a form for recording delta is reached.
inked fingerprint impressions and
defined three main pattern types: - The number of ridges intervening between
loops, those patterns tend to curve the tracing ridge and the right delta are
back upon themselves; whorls, those then counted.
patterns tend to be circular; and Ridge traced inside is three or more – Inner or “I”
arches, those patterns which form no
loops or circles. Ridge traced outside is three or more – Outer or
“O”
3. VUCETICH – Juan Vucetich, created the
Ridge traced inside/outside is two or less – Meeting
first fingerprint identification system in
or “M”
1892, and in doing so introduced the role of
biometric data in crime-solving. ARCH PATTERNS: Its characteristics
- Vucetich approach was a development of a. No core
Galton’s three patterns: the arch, the loop, b. No delta
and the whorl. He further subdivided the  Ridge counting is not applicable
loop into internal (left slope) and external  Ridge tracing is not applicable
(right slope) categories, resulting in four
different patterns: arch, internal loop, 1. PLAIN ARCH
external loop, and whorl. - is that type of
pattern in which
4. SIR EDWARD RICHARD HENRY - Henry ridges enter upon
Classification system one side, make a rise
- The Henry Classification or a wave in the
System assigns each finger a number center and flow or
according to the order in which it is tend to flow out
located in the hand, beginning with the upon the opposite
right thumb as number 1 and ending with side.
the left pinky as number 10.
- The primary classification system for 2. TENTED ARCH
fingerprints has been adapted from the - a pattern where one
original system developed by Sir. or more ridges at the
Edward Richard Henry in 1896. center forms an up
- Henry fingerprint classification system has thrust or make a
6+3 divisions like primary, major, sufficient rise
secondary, subsecondary, second giving the pattern of
subsecondary, final, & key. a “Tent” giving an
angle of 90 degrees
THREE MAJOR FINGERPRINT PATTERNS: or less.
a. Arch - 5 %
o Plain Arch
o Tented Arch
LOOP PATTERNS: Its Characteristics
b. Loop – 60 – 65 % a. 1 core
o Radial Loop b. 1 delta
o Ulnar Loop c. With looping or recurving ridge that passes
between the delta and the core.
c. Whorl – 30 – 35 % d. With at least 1 ridge count
o Plain Whorl  Ridge counting is applicable
o Central Pocket Loop Whorl  Ridge tracing is not applicable
o Double Loop Whorl
o Accidental Whorl 1. RADIAL LOOP
- A loop in which the
RIDGE COUNTING - the process of counting the downward slope or the
ridges intervening between the delta and the slope or the slanting ridge
core. Neither the delta nor the core is counted when runs towards the
an imaginary line is drawn connecting them. direction of the thumb
finger.
- The number of ridges intervening between
the delta and core. - Radial bone (inner
bone of the forearm
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
that runs to the wrist on the side where - A pattern consisting of two separate and
the thumb is located. distinct loop formations, with sets of
shoulder and two deltas.
2. ULNAR LOOP
- A loop in which the
downward slope or the - The “S” type
slanting ridge runs loop whorls are
towards the direction of not considered
the little finger. Double Loop
Whorls. They are
- Ulna bone (the bone classified as
running to the wrist PLAIN WHORLS.
located or situated on
the little finger.

WHORL PATTERNS: Its characteristics

4. ACCIDENTAL WHORL
1. PLAIN WHORL - A pattern
- A pattern consisting consisting of a
of 2 deltas and which combination of
at least one ridge two different
makes a turn through types of pattern
one complete such as a loop
circuit. and a whorl, a

- An imaginary line
drawn between the 2 deltas must touch or
cross at least one of the recurving ridges
within the pattern area.

Elements of plain whorl

1. A complete circuit
2. Two deltas
3. At least one circuiting ridge is touches or
crossed by an imaginary line traversing
between the two deltas.

2. CENTRAL POCKET LOOP WHORL

- A pattern which posses 2 deltas with core
or more ridges forming a complete circuit loop and a
central pocket
loop whorl, or
any combination
of two different
loop and whorl
type pattern but
it cannot be a
combination of a plain arch with any other
pattern. It can have two or more deltas.
which may be oval, spiral or circular, or
any variant of a circle.

NATURE OF LATENT PRINTS

 Latent
print
- Markings of oily
matter or
perspiration from
the skin glands left
upon surface which
the hands and
fingers may have
touched.
- It is deposited by the fingertip pattern, is a
complex mixture of natural secretions and
contaminations from the environment.
- Other terms chance impressions and
accidental impressions.
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
 Chance impression – these are impressions They are simply photographed and if
left by chance at the crime scene. necessary the item is collected and may
have the ability to be caste.
 Sweat – is an aqueous solution produced by the Example: clay, wet paint, wax, soap
cells of the secretory body, without loss of cell or tar
cytoplasm for the eccrine glands in contrast
with appocrine glands.
2. INVISIBLE PRINTS
Three Types of Glands are responsible for the - Those prints that are made due to the
natural secretions of the skin: sweat present in the fingers and thumb of
1. Sudoriferous Gland a person that is transferred to any object
- These are distributed all over the body that he holds.
and produce the sweat.
a. Latent Prints/
2. Eccrine and Apocrine Gland Impression – fingerprint
- Eccrine Gland – are located at the hands impressions which is not
and the soles of the feet. readily visible. The term is
- Apocrine Gland – are located in the commonly applied to all
groin, in the arm pits, and in the perianal chance or unintentional
regions (the area between the anus and impressions that are of
the scrotum or labia magna). evidentiary value.
- This type of fingerprint impression
3. Sebaceous Gland requires development for they are
- Are found on the chest and the back, and not readily visible and detection
on the forehead. often requires the use of fingerprint
powders, chemical reagents or
alternate light sources.

TYPES OF EVIDENTIARY FINGERPRINTS b. Smudge Prints/

Impression
1. VISIBLE PRINTS - Those prints that are
- These are formed when blood, dirt, ink, distinctive due to sliding
paint, etc., is transferred from a finger or motion of fingers at the
thumb to a surface. time they are impressed.

a. Patent Impression - c. Fragmentary Prints/

Patent prints can be Impression
found on a wide variety - Those prints that show only
of surfaces: smooth or a portion of the pattern or
rough, porous (such of the friction skin.
as paper, cloth or
wood) or nonporous
(such as metal, glass Impression
or plastic). - Is the reproduction of some smooth
Example: impression found in blood surfaces of the pattern or design formed
(bloody fingerprint) by the ridges on the inside of the end
joint of the fingers or thumb.
b. Plastic Impression - - a mark made on the surface of
A plastic or molded something by pressing an object onto
impression is deposited it
when the hands,
fingers, or feet is Kinds of Fingerprint Impressions
pressed into a soft  Real impressions – those impressions which
rubbery type material are intended to be left in any surfaces.
that will retain the impression of the ridge (documents)
detail.  Chance impressions – those impressions
which are unintended, accidentally left by or
- Plastic or molded impressions are unconsciously left onto any surfaces of an
visible and usually need no enhancement. object.
Two methods of producing impressions:
o Rolled Impressions
- requires that the thumb be rolled away
from the center of the subject’s body.

o Plain Impressions
- requires that the fingers be taken or
printed simultaneously, then the thumbs
without rolling.
- Other term, flat or pressed
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

Print Matic Method

Equipment
1. Fingerprint Ink Roller (6” long x 2” in diameter)
2. Fingerprint ink
3. Cardholder and table ( 38” to 40” high)
4. Glass Slab or inking plate
5. Slab and Roller Cleaner
6. Hand cleaning materials (Alcohol, petroleum, METHODS TO DEVELOP LATENT PRINTS
cloth & cotton)  For hard and non-absorbent surface like
glass mirrors, tile wood are needed to
developed with powder or super glue
Methods of recording real impressions
treatment
1. Slab and Roller Method – placing ink on the
slab and spreading it  Soft and porous surface (paper, cardboard or
2. Porelon Pad Method – use inking pad cloth, chemical methods are used.
3. Print Matic Method – the roller itself bears the
ink then rolled over the slab  Reflective ultraviolet imaging system
(RUVIS)
Ink slab (glass slab or inking plate) - It detects print on its natural state by
fingerprint ink Ink Roller aiming UV light on the surface
- When light strikes FP it reflect back to the
viewer, making difference to the print and
background
- The UV light is converted into visible light
by –image intensifier.
 Developing prints with powders:
- These are available in variety of
composition and colors. When the powder
is applied to the non-absorbent surface
it adheres to the oil perspiration of the
surface.
Card Holder and table fingerprint card a. Gray powder – aluminium dust, used on
dark surface, or metal surface or mirror
surface.
b. Black powder – composed of black
carbon charcoal , applied in white color
surface
c. Magnetic sensitive powder – can be
spread this powder over a surface with the
help of magnet.
It comes in black and gray color (useful
in finish leather, rough plastic)
d. Fluorescence powder – this powder
fluorescent under UV light.
We can photograph the pattern
developed under UV Light

 Iodine fuming method – it is the oldest

Slab and Roller Cleaner method to visualized the latent print,
 Iodine” solid crystal when heated
transformed into vapour without passing
liquid phase. This transformation is called
sublimation.
 For development – suspected material is
enclosed with iodine crystals in a cabinet.
 - As the crystal heated, fumes combine
the print to make it visible.
Porelon pad Method  - Iodine fumes combine with – fatty acids
or iodine interact with residual water from
perspiration.
 - they are not permanent, they fade away
as soon as process stops. So, examiner
photograph for analysis
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
 Ninhydrin method of development – the
nindhydrine reacts with amino acids present
in the perspiration it turns purple or blue in
color.
 - depends upon the reaction between the
ninhydrin and amino acid
 Ninhydrine (tri-keto-hydrindene)
sprayed over the porous surface.
 Solution preparation – ninhydrin
powder + acetone/ ethyl alcohol. Rules to observe in taking legible Fingerprints
0.6 % solution is effective; the prints 1. Cleanliness of equipment/washing of hands
appear in 1-2 hours while the weak before fingerprinting.
prints appears to about 24 hours to 28 2. The right kind and correct amount of ink.
hours. 3. Proper distribution of ink on the glass slab.
 We can develop this faster by 4. The subject’s hands must be relaxed.
heating it 80 = 100 degree celcius 5. Proper distance of the subject from the glass
 It developed fingerprint as old as 15 slab/proper alignment.
years. 6. Even pressure to be applied.
7. The fingers must be rolled from one side to the
other.
Materials used for the collection of latent 8. The inking and printing must reach the first joint
prints of the finger.
1. Fingerprint brush 9. The thumb must be rolled towards the body of
- Fiberglass brushes are Zephyr Style the subject and the other fingers (index finger
Brushes with ultra-fine and soft fiberglass to little finger) must roll away from the subject’s
bristles. body.
- Feather Brushes are soft hair that is 10. The subject’s fingers must be controlled to
mainly made from Marabou feathers. prevent twisting.
These feathers have tendrils that can 11. Speed of the rolling finger.
collect fingerprint powder with ease and 12. Check up after fingerprint printed – Check prints
cover a longer surface area. if appropriately printed or not in accordance
with the following guidelines:
a. If printing column are incorrect
b. Rolling condition, sufficient or not
c. Printing condition, thick or thin
Feather Brush
d. Unevenness? Irregularity? Aberration?
e. No oversight, no mistake on note/remarks

13. Cause of Mistake on Fingerprint Sampling

– Noted common mistakes or failures of law
enforcement officers in taking fingerprint
sampling are:
a. Aberration of printing of the fingerprint
Magnetic brush / magna
brush
b. Ink too much thick
c. Too fast rolling speed
d. Press too hard
e. Rotation is not smooth, as they roll the
finger on the paper

2. Fingerprint powder
Fingerprint System – is an arrangement, which in
order to effectively utilize fingerprints in criminal
investigation, provides for their systematic
collection, classification, arrangement, custody and
use.

Two (2) Sub-systems:

Both zephyr and mop Feather Brush 1. Ten (10) Fingerprint System – include the ten
(10) fingerprints in cards taken upon lawful
arrest. This is to confirm the identity and the
criminal history of the arrested person.
3. Fingerprint Lifting Tape
2. Single Fingerprint System – fingerprints of
suspect collected one by one. This is to deduce
Rubber or Gel Lifter the identity of the criminal through his latent
fingerprints. Under this system, the prints of all
the ten (10) fingers are kept one by one in
custody as basic material.
Hinge
Lifters
Cellophane or fingerprint lifting tape Methods and Effects on the Use of Single
Fingerprint System

4. Latent print Transfer Card a. Positive deduction of suspect’s identity –

This is to deduce the identity of a suspect by
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
comparing a latent fingerprint with the single 2. Wash fingers thoroughly
fingerprint card. 3. Dry the fingers before impressing
4. Apply proper amount of ink
b. Designation Inquiry – This is an inquiry made, 5. Don’t double impress
whenever a suspect has come to the fore with 6. Don’t forget flay impressing
respect to a case for which the scene finger
prints have been forwarded from the police How to thin ink –
station, i.e., to the fingerprint center by  Place small amount of ink, thin the ink evenly
designating the name with whom comparison is with a pallet and a roller. The roller is rolled
needed. one way leaving the glass plate after every
stroke, the ink can be thinned quickly and
c.Under-name Fingerprints – Fingerprints evenly.
impressed under a signature on an application for
pawning or any other official document.  Density of Ink – the amount of ink needed
- Criminals often disguise themselves in for impression per person is the volume of a
transactions involving documents but the match head.
fingerprints impressed on the document
 Impressing – Subject is advised to look to
will reveal the true identity of the person.
the front or side, without stiffening his hand.
d. Identification of other crimes – Latent prints
when matched to the fingerprints establishes
absolute identity. Extra-ordinary Impressing
 Excessively sweating fingers – apply
formalin alcohol liquid to each finger, then
print;
Preparation and Custody of Fingerprint
Materials  Finger with stiff joints – Impress after
Since fingerprint materials are permanently shaking the subject’s hand grasped by the
kept in custody and utilized as the basic materials of wrist up and down several times to smoothen
the fingerprint system, they should be correctly the joint movement.
prepared and kept in custody:
 Fingers with stiff surface skin, coarse
fingers, and fingers suffering from
1. Preparation of fingerprint materials dermatophytosis – wrap fingers in a
a. Fingerprint the suspect immediately upon steamed towel for several minutes then
arrest impress
b. Take palm prints too
c. Employ the rolled and plain impressions (What does dermatophytosis look like?
method It typically presents with dry skin in the
palms of the hands and a skin rash with
2. Impressions of Fingerprints – To make correct inflamed, scaly borders on the back of the
classifications possible, all impressions must be hand. Dermatophyte nail infections, or tinea
made correctly and clearly unguium, can cause white or yellow discoloration of
the nails, as well as either thickened or brittle nails.)

Methods of Impressing
a. Rolling Impressions – done by fully rolling
the fingers from one side to the other

b. Flat or Plain Impressions – done in order to

make sure whether or not rolling impressions
are correctly impressed unto the specified
PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED BY
column. In impressing, it must be up to the FINGERPRINT OPERATOR
middle phalange.
01. Fingers have fresh cut, wound or bandaged
c. Palm print impressing – is to impress palms  Remedy: note on the corresponding space
unto the palm print impression column. on the card
Impress it fully with extended palms.  If it is possible, examine the ridges directly.

IMPRESSING TECHNIQUES 02. When the hands are perspiring excessively

a. General Technique or Ordinary Impressing –  Remedy: wipe the fingers with cloth
immediately before inking, or wipe with
 Position of Impresser/Operator – the alcohol
impressing plate is on the left side of the
table while the glass plate or cardholder is on
its right side. 03. When fingers are very dry

 Remedy: Rub the fingers with oil, cream or

 Positions of Persons – The Impressing lotion
attendant or operator is on the left side while
subject is on the right side of the operator
and about 20 cm off/away from the 04. When the fingers are very fine like the ridges of
impressing table the fingers of a baby

 Remedy: Use little amount of ink

b. General Rules in Impressing
1. Maintain impressing implement
05. When one or more fingers are lacking or missing
- cure of glass plates and roller from dust
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
 Remedy: Record/note on the corresponding strippable paint or cortex shall be used.
space on the fingerprint card This technique is as follows:

 The molded silicon rubber shall be stretched

06. When the fingers are band, broken or crippled and split
 Its circumference shall be pinned up
 Remedy: Use one of the methods in taking  Strippable paint or cortex shall be thinly
the print of the dead applied to it with a small flat brush and then
be dried with a dryer
 After repeating this operation several times,
07. When the subject has more than ten fingers all
the mold shall be stripped of the film, which
are fully formed
shall be round, the operator’s finger be
 Remedy: They should be printed on the applied with ink and then be impressed.
other side of the card with a notation that
they are extra fingers. 6. Fingers with Peeled-off surface skin
 When the true skin is exposed, take
photograph after applying ink to the true skin.
08. Should extra finger appear anywhere between or
any of the fingers 7. Fingers of charred body
 In case it is feared that they will disintegrate
 Remedy: Make a notation beside the fully
even by the slightest touch or move their
formed and normal fingers
photographs shall be taken as they are.

8. Mummified or Adipocered ( fat from

09. In case of split thumb having two nails or fingers
decomposition tissues) Fingers
are webbed and grown together making it impossible
 Take their mold with silicon, make films with
to roll the fingers
strippable paint or cortex, and impress.
 Remedy: Print it in the usual manner just
like any normal thumb and make a notation
at the back of the card. POSTMORTEM FINGERPRINTING – Benefits

1. Permits the surviving spouse to remarry

2. Clears the way for the family to collect life
insurance
Fingerprint Impressing Techniques on a dead
3. Releases the family from terrible pressure of
body uncertainty or anxiety
1. Problems and practices in fingerprinting the 4. In criminal cases, the investigation may be
reopened because of identity, and
Dead
5. Opens the door for probate of the estate of the
 Climate conditions diseased
 Subject factors
 Nature of the surface

2. Fingers soon after death – those who died

recently
 Clean finger bulbs using a gauge containing
alcohol; roll fingerprint roller with ink on
fingers and cut fingerprint card to a proper
size and impress it on the fingers.

3. Stiff fingers in a cleansed fist – those who

died for a longer period, in which cases
difficulty is experienced due to, pronounced
stiffening of the fingers or already at the
stages of decomposition.

(Rigor Mortis – a post-mortem change

resulting in the stiffening of the body
muscles due to chemical changes in their
myofibrils.)

 Use spatula or finger stretcher to stretch

fingers then impress with use of roller and ink

4. Blanched (grown pale) and wrinkled

fingers
 Fingers without percolate (strained) – wipe
them with a piece of cloth/gauge with alcohol,
soften them thoroughly with your fingertips,
stretch wrinkles and then impress.

 Fingers with percolate – use molding process

after drying with lycopodium powder

5. In order to obtain fingerprint

impressions from silicon molds,
FORENSIC 2 – PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION

Symbols In Blockings Of Fingerprint Patterns

Index Other In whorl tracing, the following rules must be strictly

Fingers Fingers followed:

Plain Arch A a  The two deltas (left delta and right delta) must be
located first.
Tented Arch T t  Once the two deltas are located, start ridge tracing
below the extreme left delta going to the right delta.
Radial Loop R RH-/ LH-\ When the right delta is reached, stop the tracing
immediately.
Ulnar Loop U RH-\ LH-/  In the event that the ridge of the whorl is broken or
bifurcated, the continuation of the ridge trace is
Plain Whorl W W
immediately below the broken line; for the bifurcated,
Central C c the continuation is below the bifurcating lines (see
Pocket Loop Figure 47).
Whorl
 If there are three or more ridges that pass ABOVE
Double Loop D d OR INSIDE the right delta, the whorl will be called
Whorl - Inner “I” – (see Figure 48.).

Accidental X x  In the event that the ridge of the whorl pattern pass
Whorl outside BELOW OR OUTSIDE the right delta, and
there are three or more ridges intervene between
the tracing ridge and the right delta, the whorl
pattern will be called
- Outer “O” – (see Figures 49 and 50).

 If there are less than three ridges that PASS ABOVE

OR INSIDE OR PASS BELOW OR OUTSIDE the
right delta, the whorl will be called
- Meeting “ M” – (see Figure 51).