FINGERPRINTS Forensic Science What are fingerprints Fingerprints are

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FINGERPRINTS Forensic Science

FINGERPRINTS Forensic Science

What are fingerprints? Fingerprints are tiny and often invisible clues left at a crime

What are fingerprints? Fingerprints are tiny and often invisible clues left at a crime scene. They left because the human skin has a slight oiliness due to secretions from glands, perspiration and dead skins. When we touch objects, the ridges on our fingers come into contact with the other surface. The oiliness on our fingers is then transferred onto the touched object. And this causes a fingerprint.

How are fingerprints useful in forensic science? Fingerprints have been used as a forensic

How are fingerprints useful in forensic science? Fingerprints have been used as a forensic tool for many years. The reason for this is due to the fact that no two fingerprints are the same. Each finger and thumb has a unique pattern of ridges which can be used to identify an individual. Fun fact: Injuries do not change the ridge structure of your finger. New skins will always grow in the same pattern.

Three main types of fingerprints Loops Arches Whorls

Three main types of fingerprints Loops Arches Whorls

Loops must have one or more ridges that enter from one side of the

Loops must have one or more ridges that enter from one side of the print, recurve and exit on the same side. Loops are found in 60 -70% of fingerprint patterns.

Arches An arch is formed by ridges entering from one side of the print,

Arches An arch is formed by ridges entering from one side of the print, rising slightly and exiting on the opposite side. Arches are found in 5% of fingerprint patterns.

Whorls In a whorl, some of the ridges make a turn through at least

Whorls In a whorl, some of the ridges make a turn through at least one circuit. Whorls are found in 2535% of fingerprint patterns.

Minutiae Points Fingerprints are distinctive not only because of there pattern of arches, loops

Minutiae Points Fingerprints are distinctive not only because of there pattern of arches, loops or whorls, but they all have a range of minutiae. Minutiae’s are tiny variation to the ridges pattern which help to make each print unique. Examples of Minutiae Points

Classification Fingerprints are classified by patterns, size and by the position of patterns on

Classification Fingerprints are classified by patterns, size and by the position of patterns on the finger. Observation is the easiest way to classify fingerprints and is conducted by comparing and contrasting the prints to determine which print is the best match to the suspects print.

References Frenette, J. (2004). Fingerprint Basics. Retrieved August 25, 2016, from the Canada Wide

References Frenette, J. (2004). Fingerprint Basics. Retrieved August 25, 2016, from the Canada Wide Virtual Science Fair Website: http: //www. odec. ca/projects/2004/fren 4 j 0/public_html/project_info. htm Hub Pages. (2009, May 22). Fingerprint Classification Project. Retrieved August 25, 2016, from http: //hubpages. com/education/Fingerprint-Classification-Project Sapp, B. (n. d. ). Presentations. Retrieved August 25, 2016, from http: //bsapp. com/forensics_illustrated/pppresentations. htm The Crankshaft Publishing. (n. d. ) Visualisation. Retrieved August 25, 2016, from the What When How website: http: //what-when-how. com/forensic-sciences/visualization/