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| Fingerprinting |
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with the recent advancements made in the field of DNA analysis, the
science of fingerprinting, dactylography, is still commonly used as
a form of identification, whether it has been taken in the traditional
way using ink and paper or scanned into a computer database. Fingerprint
identification is based on the classification of fingerprint patterns,
which can not only prove that a person was present at a crime scene,
but can also be used to compare with the stored fingerprints of millions
of other known criminals. |
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Select one of the topics below to read more:
--> Fingerprinting
History
--> The
ten print system
--> Assigning
values to prints
--> Improvements
to the system
--> Fingerprint types
--> Comparing
prints
--> Computer
comparison
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| Fingerprinting
History |
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| Sir Francis Galton was one of the
first to indulge himself into the possibilities of using fingerprints
as a form of identification. His work in this field inspired the creation
of an early fingerprinting filing system, known as 'icnofalagometrico',
developed by an Argentinian police member, Vucetich, whom had had
correspondence with Sir Francis. The first fingerprinting bureau was
opened by Vucetich in 1892, the same year Sir Francis released his
works on fingerprinting. |
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| The
Ten Print System |
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| In 1896, an English
fingerprint scientist by the name of Sir Henry Edward, who was a pupil
of Galton, created the 'ten print' system of classification, which
became the most commonly used technique until the introduction of
computers in the late 20th century. It was first implemented in India
in 1897 and had its own unique way of classification. Edward divided
the patterns in fingerprints into two groups known as value patterns,
which contained whorls, and the no-value patterns, which contained
loops and arches. |
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Sir Edward is most noted for his contributions to the science of fingerprinting.
Photo courtesy of Northampshire
Police. |
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| Assigning
Values to Prints |
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A fingerprint that contains
a whorl pattern was given a number value that depended on which
finger the print came from. A thumb on the right hand containing
a whorl is valued with number 16, but the little finger on the left
hand containing a whorl was only given a value of 1. Edward then
grouped together values from certain fingers, forming a fraction-like
code for each set of ten fingerprints. Altogether, Edward created
1024 individual codes, his pioneering work ensured that any set
of prints could be filed using this code. His system of fingerprint
filing worked very well in identifying criminals working under aliases.
Suspected criminals were
fingerprinted and coded before being compared against known criminals
stored under the same code, making it much faster searching for
a match as investigators didn't have to search through the entire
collection. This system did however, have some drawbacks, as a whole
and complete set of ten fingerprints was required, making it difficult
to identify single prints found at a crime scene. A single print
identification system was later developed in the 1930's allowing
the classification and filing of single prints from individual fingers.
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To
view the name of each fingerprint types, please run your mouse over
it:
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A
central pocket loop.
The
double loop.
The
plain whorl.
The
loop.
A
plain arch.
The
tented arch.
An
accidental print.
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*Photos
courtesy of Hillsborough
County Sheriff's Office. |
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| Improvements
To The System |
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| If the print has an unusual shape
or characteristic, it is easily and quickly matched, but in most cases,
fingerprints found at a crime scene are rarely fully intact and therefore
influences the quality of the search. As time progressed, fingerprint
collections grew and the job of searching them became more difficult
and time consuming. Finally in the 1960's, computer systems were introduced
and constantly improved until they were fast and efficient and able
to be used for public purposes. |
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| Comparing
Prints |
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| The comparison of fingerprints is
a time consuming procedure and requires experience and great skill.
Examiners look at the shape of the ridges and compare the points
where the ridges start, end, join and split. The positions of short
ridges, dots and any enclosed areas are also noted. Examiners also
search for points of similarity between the fingerprint mark and the
print to try and decide if the two patterns match. |
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| Computer
Comparison |
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The
computer systems used at present are able to scan fingerprints
that have been found at a crime scene and automatically find
and record the ridges, whorls, arches or loops contained within.
This data is then compared by the computer with information
that is similar in the database and finally produces a shortlist
of matches in order of likeliness. The crime scene fingerprint
is compared manually by investigators with the shortlist to
identify any matches. |
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The use of computers makes fingerprint comparing much easier.
Photo courtesy of www.greenvillecounty.org. |
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