SCHOOL OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND PUBLIC SAFETY

DACTYLOSCOPY
FRSCST3
(PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION)

A Self-Regulated Learning Module

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 MODULE CONTENTS
MODULE LESSON PAGE

Module 1 FIRST GRADING LESSONS 5

1. Definition of terms
2. Origin of the word “dactyloscopy”
3. Related sciences of fingerprint
4. Fingerprints in other species
5. Friction, epidermal or papillary skin
6. Components of the friction skin
7. Development of ridges
8. Principles of fingerprint science
9. Phalanges of fingers
10. Layers of skin
11. Reasons of destruction of ridges
12. Persons who attempted to erase fingerprints
13. Classes of latent prints
14. Factors affecting the stability of latent prints
15. No. of ridge details for a fingerprint to be accepted as
evidence
16. Cases involving fingerprints as evidence
17. Fingerprint lifter
18. Kinds of fingerprint powder
19. Physical methods of developing latent prints
20. Chemical methods of developing latent prints
21. Steps in latent fingerprint examination
22. Steps in fingerprint examination
23. The AFIS of the PNP

Module 2 MIDTERM GRADING LESSONS 19

1. Ridge Characteristics
2. Delta & core; ridge counting & tracing
3. 8 rules in locating the delta
4. Rules in locating core
5. Ridge counting
6. Ridges subject to ridge counting
7. Ridge tracing
8. Rules in ridge tracing
9. Types of whorl tracing
10. Fingerprint patterns
11. Descriptions of the fingerprint patterns
12. Recording of fingerprints

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 13. Items that make up a fingerprint kit
14. Types of fingerprint card
15. Procedure in taking and recording fingerprints
16. Quality checklist of recorded fingerprints
17. Common errors in recording fingerprints
18. Importance of fingerprint
19. Special conditions in recording fingerprints
20. Postmortem fingerprinting
21. Procedure in taking the fingerprints of a dead person
22. Problems in recording fingerprints of a corpse

Module 3 FINAL GRADING LESSONS 43

1. Personalities & history
2. First conviction in USA
3. First conviction in Canada
4. Historical development of fingerprint in the Philippines
5. Fingerprint classification
6. Different fingerprint systems
7. Steps in classifying fingerprints
8. Symbols of the fingerprint patterns in blocks
9. Rules on Amp or FMB
10. The six classification groups
11. Qualifying the expert witness
12. Frequently asked questions
13. Demeanor of an expert witness

EVALUATION OF THE MODULE 57

REFERENCES 58

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 ABOUT THE COURSE

Course Code FRSCST3

Course This course deals with the fundamental study of ancient and modern methods of
description personal identification with emphasis on Dactyloscopy, Orthodontology, and
Palmistry, which embraces the identification and comparison of fingerprint
patterns and ridge characteristics. It focuses on the scientific method of
recognition, development, and preservation of latent prints; and the recording and
classifying of fingerprints that include the Henry System, FBI extension, and NBI
modification. This course serves as a guide to understanding the concept of
fingerprints analysis which includes lectures and practical exercises. Other
subjects in this course include the history of Friction Ridge Comparison,
Fingerprint Pattern Interpretation/Classification Lecture and Practical Exercises,
Friction Ridge Structure and Development, Basic Comparison Techniques, Latent
Print Development, and Latent Evaluation, Comparison Documentation, and
Courtroom Testimony.
Requirements 1. Attendance during Virtual Classes
of the course 2. Quiz
3. Assignments
4. Recitations
5. Online Discussions
6. Reflection Papers
7. Academic Papers
8. Major Examinations
Instructor Dr. Warren Galas Moyao
Official Email: [email protected]
Official mobile no. 09095714573

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 MODULE 1. FIRST GRADING LESSONS

1. To define and explain dactyloscopy, fingerprint, and ridges;

2. To explain the nature of fingerprint;
3. To elaborate jurisprudence wherein fingerprint was used as forensic evidence;
4. To properly lift a latent print;
5. To properly dust a suspected fingerprint; and
6. To explain what is AFIS and how it operates.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

1. FINGERPRINT – (also known as DACTYLOGRAM) is an impression, designed by the ridges on

the inside of the end joints of the fingers and thumbs on any smooth surface through the media of
ink, sweat or any reagents capable of producing visibility.

2. DACTYLOSCOPY – the science that deals with the study of fingerprints as a means of personal
identification that involves manual comparison of fingerprints.

3. DACTYLOGRAPHY – the scientific study and analysis of fingerprints as a means of

identification.

4. DACTYLOMANCY –the study of fingerprints for the purpose of interpreting one’s personality.

Origin of the word “dactyloscopy”

Derived from two Greek words:
1. Dactyl- means finger
2. Skopein - means to study or to examine.

RELATED SCIENCES OF FINGERPRINT

1. Chiroscopy – science of palm print identification. Derived from Greek words:

 Cheir - means “a hand” and
 Skopein - means “to examine.”

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Pattern zones of palmprint:
1. Thenar zone – the base of the thumb.
2. Hypothenar zone – the base of the little finger.
3. Palmar zone – base of the four fingers.
4. Carpal delta zone – near the wrist.
5. Distal side – tip of fingers and thumbs
6. Proximal side – towards the wrist
7. Ulnar side – towards the little finger
8. Radial side – towards the thumb

2. Podoscopy – footprints and footwear identification.

Derived from two Greek words:
 Podo - means “the foot” and
 Skopein - means “to examine.”

Pattern zones of footprint:

1. Ball pattern zone – below the big toe
2. Plantar pattern zone – below the four little toes
3. Tread area - is an area which includes that portion of the foot lying between the ball-plantar
zones and calcar zone.
4. Calcar pattern zone - located at the heel.
5. Tibial side – where the big toe is also located.
6. Fibular side – is located on the little toe side
7. Distal side – towards the toes
8. Proximal side

3. Poroscopy – study of the pore structure for the purpose of identification.

Derived from the Greek words:
 poros - means “a pore” and
 skopein - means “to examine.”
 The father of poroscopy is Dr. Edmond Locard

4. Edgeoscopy – The study of the edges and shapes of the ridges which includes the study of:
 endings,
 puckering, and
 bifurcations.

5. Ridgeology – The study of ridges with the combination of:

 poroscopy;
 edgeoscopy; and
 ridge characteristics.

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  Ridgeology was introduced by Sgt. David R. Ashbaugh (1946-present), a book author entitled
“Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and
Advanced Ridgeology.”

6. Dermatoglyphics – study of the lines, tracings, ridges of the skin of fingers, palms and hands.
Derived from the words:
 “derma” - means “skin” and
 “glyphein” - means “to study”

FINGERPRINTS OF OTHER SPECIES

1. Koala - is one of the few mammals, native in Australia that has fingerprints.

2. Monkeys - have fingerprints which are almost the same with human beings. It is proven that
fingerprints of monkeys are mistakenly identified as human fingerprints.

FRICTION, EPIDERMAL OR PAPILLARY SKIN

1. It is an epidermal hairless skin on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and feet.
2. The strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs by which fingerprints
are made.

 Friction Ridges are found on every Friction skin/epidermal skin/papillary skin.

 Minutiae are friction ridges which are considerably minute in sizes such as delta, core, dot,
short ridge, bifurcation, recurving ridges, etc.

COMPONENTS OF THE FRICTION SKIN

1. Ridges – are hill like, elevated, appear as black lines with tiny white dots called pores in an
inked impression.
2. Furrows – canal-like, depressed portions found between the ridges which appear white lines.
3. Pores (sometimes called islands) – are small opening found on skin and appear white on plain
impression.
4. Sweat Duct – is a long-host like structure that serves as the passage way for the sweat.
5. Sweat Glands – produces sweat/perspiration.

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DEVELOPMENT OF RIDGES

 During the 3rd - 4th month, ridges start to develop.

 At about 6 months, ridges are expected to be fully developed.
 Fingerprints remain constant until during the decomposition stage of the skin of the corpse.
 Fingerprint size may change as a person physically grows.
 Ridge characteristics and pattern do not change.

ACTIVITY No. 1 (LECTURE)

First Online Discussion: Don't forget to comment on the ideas of your

classmates. "To comment" means to agree or disagree and to share your
thoughts also. Before giving comments on the ideas of your classmates, make
sure that you have posted your ideas. Put numbers before your responses.

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

1. How do fingerprints vary from person to person?
2. Is it possible that two people could have identical fingerprints?
3. In what ways besides solving crimes can fingerprint identification be
used?

ACTIVITY No. 2 (LECTURE)

Each item must be responded with a minimum of 100 words. Each item is
worth 10 points.

1. Define the following words in your own understanding:

a) Fingerprint
b) Dactyloscopy
c) Dactylography
d) Dactylomancy
e) Chiroscopy
f) Podoscopy
g) Poroscopy
h) Edgeoscopy
i) Ridgeology
j) Dermatoglyphics
2. Discuss three importance of fingerprint in criminal investigation.
3. Is it possible to change your own fingerprints? If yes, how?

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PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINT SCIENCE
The following are the accepted principles and concepts since it is practiced a long time:

1. Principle of Permanency (Constancy/Persistency/Perennial, Immutable)

 States that fingerprints are unchanging or constant from birth until the decomposition of the
body of the person.

2. Principle of Individuality (Variation/Differences)

 There are no two fingerprints that are exactly alike,”
 Except if two fingerprints were taken from the same finger and the same person.
 Two fingerprints maybe alike in its pattern or design but considering its minute
characteristics, they differ.
 Fingerprints of two persons can be similar but NOT Identical.

3. Principle of Infallibility (Reliability)

 Fingerprinting is one of the most reliable means of personal identification.
 Fingerprints cannot be forged, unlike signatures and handwritings.
 DNA Fingerprinting is only applied to high profile and celebrated cases. It is also applied
when fingerprinting is not applicable (ex: when corpse is burned).

PHALANGES OF FINGERS

1. Terminal phalange/phalanx – is the end joint / tip of fingers.

2. Middle phalange/phalanx – is the middle portion of fingers.

3. Proximal Phalange/phalanx – is the base of fingers.

LAYERS OF SKIN

1. Epidermal layer (Epidermis) – the outer layer.

Sub-layers (Code CML-GSB):
a) Stratum Corneum – also known as corneus layer.
b) Stratum Mucosum – also known as transparent layer.
c) Stratum Lucidum – also known as granucar layer.
d) Stratum Granulosum – consists of 3-4 layers.
e) Stratum Spinosum – also called Malpighian layer.
f) Stratum Basale – also called Generating Layer.

2. Dermal Papillae (Dermis) – the inner layer of the skin containing blood vessels, arrector pili
muscles, sebaceous glands (produce fats/oil), sweat glands (produce sweat) and nerves. It is where
the dermal papillae are found.

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3. Subcutaneous layer (Hypodermis) – the innermost layer of skin that also contains blood
vessels, connective tissue, nerves and fat lobules (a rounded division or projection of an organ or part
in the body, especially in the lungs, brain, or liver).

LAYERS OF SKIN - SUMMARY

Outer Epidermal Epidermis
Inner Dermal Papillae Dermis
Innermost Subcutaneous Hypodermis

REASONS OF DESTRUCTION OF RIDGES

1. Manual works
2. Skin diseases (Warts)
3. Burns
4. Scars

Remember:
If Dermis and/or hypodermis is damaged, ridges maybe destroyed or deformed.

ACTIVITY No. 3 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: LAYERS OF THE SKIN

 Illustrate the layers of the skin and identify the parts.

 Below your drawing, discuss the functions of the parts of the skin.
 Use long bond paper, with 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

ACTIVITY No. 4 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: COMPONENTS OF THE FRICTION SKIN

 Illustrate the components of the friction skin.

 Below your drawing, provide a description for each component.
 Use long bond paper, with 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

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PERSONS WHO ATTEMPTED TO ERASE FINGERPRINTS

1. John Herbert Dillinger (1902-1934)

 An American criminal who attempted to erase his fingerprints with the use of acid, committed
crimes over a period of 13 months in 1933 and 1934.
 While in prison, Dillinger formed a gang, which included Baby face Nelson and Pretty boy
Floyd, both of whom were later killed in gun battles with law officers.
 He was the declared by the FBI as “Public enemy number one” in the United States.

2. Roberts James Pitts

 He gained the fame as the “man without fingerprints” after knowing from an inmate of a
possible destruction of fingerprints.
 He is known by name Roscoe Pitts.
 Adermatoglyphia is a rare medical condition of a person with no ridges on palms and feet.

3. Edmond Locard & Witkowsji

 Performed painful experiments on themselves by burning their fingertips with boiling water and
oil with hot metals to find out whether it can destroy the ridges of a finger.
 Edmond Locard - father of Poroscopy.
 Edmond Locard – Locard Exchange principle
 Edmond Locard – Law of probability (64B is to 1)
 Edmond Locard – Principle of contrast

CLASSES OF LATENT PRINTS

1. Visible prints - are impressions made by fingers smeared with colored substance, such as
blood, ink, grease, dirt or paint.

2. Semi-visible prints - are molded or plastic impressions. They are prints made in plastic materials
such as soap, melted candles, wax, tar, pitch, paraffin, putty, the adhesive gun on
envelopes and postage stamps, and the like.

3. Invisible prints (True Latent Prints)- are the most common type of chance impressions.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE STABILITY OF LATENT PRINTS

1. Climate/Climatic Condition – windy, sunny and wet seasons affects the stability of latent
print.

2. Subject Factor – Sweat is acidic. High degree of acidity, the latent print stays longer time.
Low degree, latent print stays the lesser time.

3. Nature of the Surface – whether the surface is smooth or rough.

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NO. OF RIDGE DETAILS FOR A FINGERPRINT TO BE ACCEPTED AS EVIDENCE

There are no international rules or laws setting the required no. of similarities of latent and
suspect’s fingerprint. Other countries set points of similarities:
1. England = 16 similarities
2. United States = 12 similarities
3. European Countries = 15 similarities

What about in the Philippines?

1. Educational background – at least a graduate of a degree course.
2. Training – must have attended local or international trainings on dactyloscopy.
3. Experience – must have enough experience in the Fingerprint Section.
4. Proof of expertise to the field of specialization – includes being an author of a book,
speaker/facilitator of seminar/training.

 Opinion – the means, the result of the critical study and comparison by a fingerprint examiner.

 Only the Judge – is authorized to declare whether a person is expert witness or an ordinary
witness.

CASES INVOLVING FINGERPRINTS AS EVIDENCE

People vs. Jennings (USA)

 The first authoritative case involving fingerprint as evidence in US which was decided
by the Illinois Court in 1911.
 Happened in Illinois, USA
 Complete name of accused is Thomas Jennings

People of the Philippines vs. Marciano Medina y Diokno (AKA Mariano Medina) (G.R. No. L-
38434 December 23, 1933)
 The counterpart of the Jennings’ case in USA. This is the first leading judicial decision in
the Philippine jurisprudence in the science of fingerprinting.

Summary of the Case:

 On February 12, 1932, at night, Marciano Diokno Medina AKA Mariano Medina breaks
into and enters through the window of the house of James C. Rockwell. Medina took
several personal properties of Rockwell. One of the properties taken by Medina is a box,
which was discovered in the vicinity of the scene of the crime.

 A Constabulary Officer named Agripine Ruiz, discovered a fingerprint in the surface of the
box which was compared to the fingerprints of the accused-Medina. It was found out that
the Right Middle Finger of Medina matched with the latent print lifted from the silver box in
10 points. A case was filed against the defendant and was later on convicted.

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The law of multiplicity of evidence
 States that the greater the number of similarities or dissimilarities the greater the probability for
the conclusion to be correct.
 The more similarities of ridges between the suspect’s print and latent print, establishes a
positive result.

The law of probability

 As claimed by Dr. Edmond Locard, if the world’s population will reach 64 billion, there will be
two fingerprints of two different individuals that will be identical.

The Locard’s exchange principle

 If two objects come into contact, it will leave a trace. Examples of trace evidence includes
fingerprints, toolmarks, DNA profile on cigarette butts, etc.

ACTIVITY No. 5 (LECTURE)

Answer the following in not less than 100 words for each question. Each
item is worth 5 points.

1. Discuss the three principles of fingerprint analysis namely:

a) Principle of Permanency;
b) Principle of Individuality; and
c) Principle of Infallibility.
2. Differentiate the three classes of latent prints and provide examples:
a) Visible prints;
b) Semi-visible prints; and
c) Invisible prints.
3. In the Philippines, what are the requirements before accepting the
result of fingerprint analysis as evidence in court?
4. Discuss the factors that could affect the stability of the latent prints.
Elaborate your answers.
5. What are the circumstances that could destroy the ridges of our skin?
Provide examples.
6. Explain Locard’s Exchange Principle. Provide examples.

FINGERPRINT LIFTER

1. Fingerprint Tape – is the most commonly used in lifting latent fingerprints, measured usually
at 1-2 inches.

2. Some are made up in sizes ranging from 1 x 1.5 to 4 x 4 inches, usually used to lift palm
prints and group of fingerprints.

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 3. Others are made in sheets 4 x 9.5 inches, usually used to lift shoe and footwear prints.

KINDS OF FINGERPRINT POWDER (Vinluan & Buenavista, 2006 p.195-222)

1. Black and White powder- most common in the Philippines, used by law enforcement agencies.

2. Aluminum powder- powderized aluminum of gray color.

3. Lycopodium powder - This is a yellowish in color powder of plant spore.

4. SP Black Powder- mixture of oxidizing iron and aluminum powder that is common in Japan.

PHYSICAL METHODS OF DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS

1. Dusting / Brush on / Powder Method

 This is done with the use of fingerprint brush and powder by applying amount of powder
that is lightly swept on the suspected area to little by little reveal the print caused by the
powder.

2. Rolling / Rocking Method)

 The powder is put on the suspected surface of a material/object. Then in slanting position,
the material/object is rolled slightly to attach powder in the fingerprint.

3. Spray Method
 The powder is put into an empty container specially designed for spraying. Suspected
areas where fingerprints are suspected to be present are sprayed to let latent print appear.

4. Transplant Method
 The latent print is powdered and lifted ready to be pasted to a paper with opposite color
from that of the color of powder used.
 The principle of contrast shall always be applied.

5. Restoration Method
 On a suspected area where latent print maybe impressed, ninhydrin solutions maybe used
to develop latent prints.

6. Kromekote Lift Method

 Provides the forensic science technician with an inexpensive and practical technique for
recovering latent fingerprints from human skin.
 The Kromekote Card is used to lift latent print in 2-3 seconds. It is done by lifting from one
side while pressing the other side.

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CHEMICAL METHODS OF DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS

1. Ninhydrin Method
 It’s the Ninhydrin solution that is being used.
 This destroys writings on absorbent materials like papers.
 This is used to detect latent prints on absorbent materials, white wood, blood stained
fingerprint, paper wrapping of cigarette stick, etc.

2. Ninhydrin Acetone Method

 This method makes use of Ninhydrin acetone solution.
 This method is used to preserve the writings on documents because of its importance in
the case.
 This is applicable to suicide notes, threat letters, or any document where it is believed to
contain trace evidence such as fingerprints
 This is applied on printed materials. The advantage of this method is the non-destruction of
written letters made by “ballpen” and other ink.

3. Tetramethyl Benzedrine Method

 The chemical formula for this is C16H2oN2
 With this method, the invisible amount of blood stained fingerprints can be detected.
 Fingerprint on kitchen knife, and other blades used as weapon, effectively detected.

Preparation:
Solution A – 100 ml Ethanol consist of 0.5 ml of TBM powder solution
Solution B – Ethanol added to the same amount of distilled water, and 30% peroxide mixed up in 9:1
ratio.

5. Neo SPWA Method

 This was invented by Nobuo Yamauchi, a Japanese Fingerprint Expert, who authored a
book entitled “Fingerprints Identifications.”

 This is method is applied on wet surfaces (plastic bag, metal product, plastic product,
vehicle body, bathroom tiles, weekly magazine cover, glass product, smooth surface with
no water absorbent), adherent surface of adhesive tape, the magnetic card and crappy
plastic bag.

Method of preparation
 Few drops of Isopropyl alcohol (70% alcohol content) added to 1 gram of black powder.
Add 7 – 10 ml of water and mix well.

Method of use:

 Dip brush on the reagent and brush it over the suspected surface. Leave for 30 seconds
and wash away excess powder. When prints are detected, photograph it.

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Procedure:
 Before starting to work on the suspected area, take a photograph to record the original
appearance.
 Apply solution A using a brush, then solution B after it dries.
 If there is an existing blood stained fingerprint, it will turn into blue green color.
Photograph such print.

6. Victoria Pure Blue Method – This is used to detect latent prints on leaves, scotch tape, and
masking tape.

Preparation
 1 gram of Victoria pure blue mix with 1 liter of ordinary water to make 0.1% of Victoria
pure blue solution.

Procedure
 Dip or soak the suspected object in a tray containing the solution for 30 seconds to one
minute and observe how the prints appears, then wash it with water.
 Photograph the developed print.
 The developed print can remain for several months and years depending on its
preservation.

7. Emulgen Black Method.

 This method uses Emulgen black reagent.
 Used to develop latent prints on Glass, plastics, tin cans, metals, smooth surfaces of cars,
door knobs, etc.
 Can be used on wet surfaces.

GAS METHOD OF DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS

1. Super Glue / Cyanoacrylate Method

 This is also called Fumigation Method because it requires the use of the
 The cyano bond’s brand name in the Philippines is mighty bond.
 This is applicable to metals, plastic/synthetic resin, painted wood or metal, leather products,
adhesive tape (adherence surface side, not the sticky side), glossy – paper.

STEPS IN LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION (Code: R-I-I-R)

1. Recognition – This includes processing of latent prints in the crime scene, preliminary screening,
photography and lifting of the prints.

2. Identification – includes laboratory processing, enhancement, comparison of known and

unknown prints.

3. Individualization – includes the method of matching the prints for identification purposes followed
by evaluation.

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4. Reconstruction – this will be done if there was non-matching of prints. The condition and position
should be identified and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) may be used.

STEPS IN FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION

Introduced by Sgt. David R. Ashbaugh (Code: ACE-V)

1. Analysis – general patterns and name of Specific patterns are identified.

2. Comparison – ridge details of the fingerprints are compared.
3. Evaluation – The making of a conclusion whether the latent print and fingerprint of suspect are
the same.
4. Verification – The opinion of an examiner should be verified by 1-2 examiner/s.

The AFIS of PNP

1. Turned over by the Japanese Gov’t thru Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to the
Philippines particularly PNP – Crime Lab on May 24, 2005.
2. This is a grant aid project amounting to 975M Yen (approximately Php 487.5M).
3. Has a current entry of more than 516,950 records (both criminal and non-criminal)
4. The PNP Regional CLOs submit ten print cards to the NHQ and are being scanned to form part
the database of the AFIS.
5. Encoding is the duty of the NHQ-Camp Crame, QC.
6. Candidate List provides the fingerprints that match with the latent
7. AFIS is a tool used by the Fingerprint Technician.

ACTIVITY No. 6 (LECTURE)

Answer the following in not less than 100 words for each question. Each item
is worth 6 points.

1. Research for two cases (local or international) that have used

fingerprints as evidence. Discuss how fingerprint identification has aided
in the conviction of the suspect.
2. Among the physical methods of developing fingerprints, which is the
easiest, safe and convenient to use?
3. Among the chemical methods of developing fingerprints, which is the
most effective? Explain why.
4. What is the importance of VERIFICATION as the last step in Fingerprint
Examination?
5. What is AFIS and its uses? Elaborate your thoughts.

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 ACTIVITY No. 7 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: LIFTING LATENT PRINTS USING IMPROVISED

MATERIALS

 Prepare for the following:

1. Powdered Charcoal
2. Transparent Adhesive Tape
3. Improvised Brush or Cotton
4. Clean Paper
 Watch the attached video and make your own video of lifting a
fingerprint to any surface (it can be in a book, phone, table, etc.).
 Attach your video here.
 This activity is worth 30 points.

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 MODULE 2. MIDTERM GRADING LESSONS

1. To familiarize all the fingerprint characteristics;

2. To illustrate the rules for delta and core location;
3. To properly perform ridge tracing and ridge counting;
4. To properly record (or explain the process of) ten prints;
5. To differentiate the fingerprinting of a living person and fingerprinting of a dead one.

FINGERPRINT CHARACTERISTICS

Type lines
1. The two outermost ridges which tend to surround the pattern area.
2. The basic boundaries of most fingerprint patterns.
3. The skeleton of each pattern.

Pattern Area
1. The area surrounded by the typelines.
2. The area of a loop or whorl which contains the ridge details.
3. It is the area inside the type lines and the only part of a fingerprint which is of importance in
regard to interpretation and classification.

Delta (also known as outer terminus and tri-radius)

1. Found at, in front and/ or near the point of divergence.
2. The word delta is an old Greek word, and is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.

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 3. Point of Divergence (also known as Area of Divergence). The area where delta can be
found inside the two diverging ridges.

Diverging Ridges
 Are two ridges running side by side and suddenly separating, one ridge going one way and
the other ridge going another way.

Core (also known as inner terminus)

 The heart of the pattern.
 The approximate center of the pattern

Rod/ Bar
 A single ending ridge located inside the innermost sufficient recurve in a loop pattern.

Recurving Ridges (also known as looping ridges)

 The ridges that curve back from which it started in the horizontal baseline.

Shoulders of a Loop
 The two points where the looping ridge start and ends its curve.

Sufficient Recurve
 Located at the top or closed end of a recurving ridge between the two shoulders.

Furrows
 The depression or canals between the ridges which maybe compared with the low area.
 Furrows are part of the skin surface that is not inked during recording of fingerprints.

Bifurcating Ridge
 A single ridge which splits into two ridges, forming a Y shape structure. It is referred to as a
fork.

Trifurcating ridges
 is a friction ridge that divides into three friction ridges

Opposed bifurcation
 are two bifurcations located at both ends of a single ridge

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Series of Bifurcations
 Appear in tandem or group.

Spur or hook ridge

 A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge.

Converging ridge
 A ridge formation whose closed end is angular and serves as a point of convergence,
usually pointed and abrupt.

Puckering Ridge
 A kind of ridge that appears curly, irregular in appearance and growth ceases at several
ends.

Appendage or Abutment
 A short ridge that spoils the sufficiency of a recurve located at the top or summit of a
recurve usually at right angle.

Staple
 A single recurving ridge on the center of the pattern area. It can be located along the
looping ridges.

Crossover or Bridge ridge

 A ridge that connects at least two ridges. It must have crossed and connected two ridges.

Spike
 Is also known as rod or bar that appears inside the innermost sufficient recurve
(Fingerprint Training Manual).

Fragment
 A ridge of extremely short in length not more than 3 millimeters.

Short ridge
 A ridge that is insufficient or limited in length other than the fragment.

Series of Short Ridges

 A group of short ridges found inside a pattern area. These ridges could appear also as
broken short ridges between well-formed ridges.

Upthrust
 The ending of a ridge that rose sufficiently from the horizontal baseline.

Dot Ridge
 Any dot or point that can be observed inside a fingerprint pattern.

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Series of dot ridges or Row of dots
 The group of dots as printed inside a pattern area.

Ridge Ending
 An abrupt end of any ridge formation.

Island, Lake, Eyelet

 Refers to a formation of ridge that forms a lake-like smaller in size than the enclosure.

Enclosure
 A bifurcation which does not remain open but in the legs of the bifurcation, after running
alongside for a short distance, come together to form a single ridge once more.

Envelop
 A single recurving ridge enclosing one or more bars, short or dot ridge.

Incipient Ridges / Nascent ridges

 NOT counted because they are only the result of dirts, dirty fingerprint paraphernalia and
other factors, found between two well-formed ridges.

Dissociated Ridges
 NOT counted. Appears like patches and has no well-defined pattern.

Creases
 They are caused mainly by minor surface damage, work and tear or advanced of age.

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 ACTIVITY No. 8 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: FINGERPRINT RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS

 Demonstrate the different characteristics of fingerprints and ridges.

 Utilizing all the space of the long bond paper, illustrate a magnified
fingerprint that contains the following ridge characteristics:
1) Type Lines
2) Pattern Area
3) Diverging Ridges
4) Core
5) Rod/ Bar
6) Recurving Ridges
7) Shoulders of a Loop
8) Sufficient Recurve
9) Furrows
10) Bifurcating Ridge
11) Trifurcating ridges
12) Opposed bifurcation
13) Series of Bifurcations
14) Spur or hook ridge
15) Converging ridge
16) Puckering Ridge
17) Appendage or Abutment
18) Staple
19) Crossover or Bridge ridge
20) Spike
21) Fragment
22) Short ridge
23) Series of Short Ridges
24) Upthrust
25) Dot Ridge
26) Series of dot ridges or Row of dots
27) Ridge Ending
28) Island, Lake, Eyelet
29) Enclosure
30) Envelop
31) Incipient Ridges / Nascent ridges
32) Dissociated Ridges
33) Creases
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

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DELTA & CORE; RIDGE COUNTING & TRACING

DELTA (outer terminus/ tri-radius)

 The point on the first ridge formation found at or directly in front of the divergence of the
type lines.
 The word delta is an old Greek word, and is the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet.
 Originally refers to a “deposit of earth at the mouth of a river”.
 Delta is also known as outer terminus and tri-radius.

Six delta formations:

1. Bifurcation
2. Dot
3. Meeting of two ridges
4. Looping ridge (where no other choice of delta)
5. Ending ridge
6. Starting ridge

CORE (inner terminus)

 Located at the approximate center or heart of the pattern.

Explanation: When the core is referred as the center of heart of a pattern, it does not mean that it is
the exact central point of the fingerprint impression because there are numerous ridge details outside
of the type lines which are not considered in pattern interpretation.

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EIGHT (8) RULES IN LOCATING THE DELTA

RULE 1 – The bifurcation that is open towards the core is chosen as the delta.

RULE 2. If the bifurcation does not open towards the core, the ending point of the bifurcation nearest
to the core is chosen as the delta.

RULE 3 – When there is a choice between a bifurcation and another type of delta, the bifurcation is
chosen as the delta.

RULE 4 – When there is a choice between two or more possible deltas (except bifurcation), the delta
nearest to the core is chosen.

RULE 5 – When there is a series of bifurcations that open towards the core at the point of
divergence, the bifurcation nearest to the core is chosen as the delta.

RULE 6 – If a ridge enters the pattern area, where no other choice of delta, the starting point of the
ridge is chosen as the delta.

RULE 7. If a ridge enters the pattern area from outside, and no other choice of delta, the ending point
of the ridge is chosen as the delta.

RULE 8. If there is no visible ridge that may be chosen as delta, the looping ridge or whorl ridge in
front of the area of divergence maybe chosen as the delta.

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 ACTIVITY No. 8 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: RULES IN LOCATING DELTA

 Illustrate the 8 Rules in Locating the Delta.

 Label the core and the delta.
 Below your drawing, provide a description for each component.
 Use long bond paper, with 1-inch margin on all sides. You will be
needing 2 bond papers for this activity.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

RULES IN LOCATING CORE

RULE 1 – If the innermost sufficient recurve does not contain any rod or bar, the core is placed on
the shoulder of the loop farther from the delta.

RULE 2 – If the innermost sufficient recurve contains odd number of rods/bars rising as high as the
shoulders, the core is placed upon the summit of the center rod, whether it touches the looping ridges
or not.

RULE 3 – If the innermost sufficient recurve contains even number of rods/bars rising as high as
the shoulders, the core is placed upon the summit of the farther one of the two center rods.

RULE 4 – If the pattern is a whorl, it is a possibility that there could be two or more deltas. Most
whorls, houses the core/s in its center.

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 ACTIVITY No. 9 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: RULES IN LOCATING CORE

 Illustrate the 4 Rules in Locating the Core.

 Label the core and the delta.
 Below your drawing, provide a description for each component.
 Use long bond paper, with 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it here.

RIDGE COUNTING

Ridge Counting – is the process of counting the ridges that touch or cross an imaginary line drawn
between the core and the delta of a loop pattern.

Rules
1. In a loop fingerprint pattern, locate the delta and core.
2. Draw an imaginary line between the core and delta.
3. Count all ridges which touch or cross the imaginary line drawn between the core and delta.
4. Incipient ridges, puckering, dissociated and creases are NOT counted.
5. Fragments and dot ridges are counted as ridges only if they appear as thick as the surrounding
ridges.
6. DO NOT include in your counting the delta and core.

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 ACTIVITY No. 10 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: RIDGE COUNTING

 Draw one Radial Loop and one Ulnar Loop.

 Label the core and the delta.
 Below your drawing, determine the ridge count.
 Use long bond paper, with 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it here.

RIDGES SUBJECT TO RIDGE COUNTING

(Depending on the travel of imaginary line)
3 RIDGE COUNT
1. Envelop
2. trifurcation

2 RIDGE COUNT
1. An island/ lake/ eye, and enclosure.
2. Criss-crossing of ridges
3. Bifurcation
4. Converging ridge

1 RIDGE COUNT
1. A short ridge, long ridge, dot ridge,
2. An abrupt ending of ridges is given one ridge count.
3. Ridge that bifurcates

RIDGE TRACING

Ridge Tracing

The process of tracing the ridges intervening between the tracing ridge (flows from the left
delta to the right delta) and the right delta.

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Rules in Ridge Tracing
1. In a whorl pattern, look for the left delta and trace towards the front of the right delta.
2. When the ridge being traced abruptly ends, drop to the next ridge just below the original tracing
ridge and continue the tracing until it reaches the point nearest to the right delta.
3. When the left delta is a dot, the same procedure in No. 1 shall be followed.
4. When the ridge that is being traced is a bifurcation, always follow the lower branch until tracing is
completed.
5. Determine whether the tracing ridge flows inside (above) or outside (below) the right delta.
6. Draw and imaginary line between the tracing ridge (refers to the left delta that was moved towards
the right delta) and the right delta and count the intervening ridge that touch or cross it.
7. Exclude the tracing ridge and deltas when counting the intervening ridges.

TYPES OF WHORL TRACING

1. Inner whorl (I) – result is 3 or more ridge count above or inside the right delta.
2. Outer Whorl (O) - result is 3 or more ridge count below or outside the right delta.
3. Meeting whorl (M) – the ridge count is 0, 1, 2 either below or above the right delta.

ACTIVITY No. 11 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: RIDGE TRACING

 Draw the four whorl patterns: Plain Whorl, Central Pocket Loop Whorl,
Double Loop Whorl, and Accidental Whorl.
 Label the core and the delta.
 Below your drawing, determine the ridge trace.
 Use long bond paper, with 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it here.

ACTIVITY No. 12 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: INNER, OUTER, and MEETING WHORL TRACING

 Draw three whorl patterns that will illustrate the three whorl tracing:
INNER, OUTER, and MEETING WHORL.
 Your fingerprint illustrations should be at least 4”x4” in size.
 Label the right and left delta.
 Below your drawing, determine the ridge trace (don’t forget to put an
imaginary line and the tracing line).
 Use long bond paper, with a 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

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FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

CATEGORIES /FAMILIES/ GENERAL PATTERN TYPES OF FINGERPRINTS:

 Family of loop – 60% frequency.
 Family of whorl - 35% frequency.
 Family of arch - 5% frequency.

LOOP PATTERNS FREQUENCY:

 Radial Loop – 6%
 Ulnar Loop – 94%

ARCH PATTERNS FREQUENCY:

 Plain Arch – 60%
 Tented Arch – 40%

WHORL PATTERNS FREQUENCY:

 Plain Whorl - 71%.
 Central Pocket Loop Whorl - 13%.
 Double Loop Whorl - 13%.
 Accidental Whorl - 3%.

ILLUSTRATIONS OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

Observe the following fingerprint patterns. Below are 10 fingerprint patterns. For the purpose
appreciating other appearance of patterns, there are two loops, and two double loop whorl illustrated
below. Under Henry Fingerprint System, there are 8 standard fingerprint pattern in which the
Philippines has adapted.

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A Self-Regulated Learning Module 31
DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

1. Plain arch (A)

This is a pattern in which the ridges enter on one side of the pattern then flow toward the other side,
with a rise at the center. The simplest of all patterns.

2. Tented arch (T)

a. This is a fingerprint pattern where majority of the ridges form an arch and one or more ridges
at the center shape a tent in outline giving an angle of 90 degrees or less or one with an
upward thrust having an angle of 45% or more, or a pattern similar to a loop but lacking one or
two of its essential elements.
b. Considered “Transitional Pattern.”

3. Radial Loop (R)

a. A fingerprint pattern that has a downward slope or slanting of the ridges towards the direction
of the thumb either to the right or left hand.

4. Ulnar Loop (U)

A fingerprint pattern where the direction of the ridges flows towards the little finger side of either right
or left hand. The term Ulnar came from the Greek term “Ulna” which means little finger bone.

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Requisites of a loop
1. It must have a delta;
2. It must have a core;
3. It must have a recurving ridge that passes between the core and delta; and
4. It must have ridge count of at least one.

Other types of loop

1. Plain Loop – the ridges in this pattern make a backward turn arranging themselves in the form
of a hairpin or staple.

2. Converging Loops – the ridges of this pattern converge sharply to give the pattern a possible
whorl like appearance.

3. Nutant Loop – the ridges of this pattern conform to the explanation of the plain loop but
additionally the looping ridges bent over and drops towards the delta.

5. Plain Whorl (W)

A fingerprint pattern consisting of two deltas and in which at least one ridge makes a turn through one
complete circuit of 360 degrees.

Two Types of Plain Whorl:

1. Elongated or Oval whorl
2. Spiral or Circular whorl

Requisites of plain whorl:

1. It must have a complete circuit;
2. It must have at least two deltas; and
3. At least one circuiting ridge is touched or crossed by an imaginary line traversing the two deltas.

6. Central Pocket Loop Whorl (C)

a. This is a fingerprint pattern which possesses two deltas, with one or more ridges forming a
complete circuit which may be oval, spiral, circular, or any variant of a circle.
b. Sometimes called a composite pattern. Means, there are two patterns in one, a whorl inside
loop.

Requisites of Central Pocket Loop Whorl

1. There must be at least one recurving ridge that rises at right angle.
2. It must have at least two deltas
3. There must be no whorl ridge that touches the imaginary line drawn between the two deltas.

7. Double Loop Whorl (D)

 A fingerprint pattern consisting of two separate and distinct loop formations with two sets of
shoulders, and two deltas.
 Also called Composite Pattern.

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Types of Double Loop Whorl

1. “S” type pattern – a double loop formation where ridges form two loops forms letter “S”

2. Interlocking type pattern – a double loop pattern that are formed opposite from each other
with interlocking ridges.

3. Twinned loop type pattern – a double loop pattern that possesses two well defined loops
where ridges embraced each other.

Requisites of Double Loop Whorl

1. There must be two separate loop formations

2. There must be two separate and distinct sets of shoulders
3. There must be two or more cores and deltas.

8. Accidental Whorl (X)

 This is a fingerprint pattern consisting of a combination of two different patterns such as:
 A combination of a loop and any whorl
 But it cannot be the combination of an arch with any other pattern.

Related Terms
 Questionable Pattern – refers to fingerprint patterns that don’t coincide with the
description of the 8 standard patterns.
 Charred Pattern – is the pattern that is smudged and not clear.

SUMMARY OF TOPICS

 Categories of fingerprints are: Loops; Whorls; Arches

 Ulnar loop- towards the little finger side.
 Radial Loop – towards the thumb side.
 Plain arch – most simple of all patterns
 Tented arch – transitional pattern
 Composite patterns are: double loop whorl; central pocket loop whorl and accidental whorl.

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 ACTIVITY No. 13 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

 Illustrate the 8 Fingerprint Patterns (magnified).

 Use long bond paper, with a 1-inch margin on all sides.
 Maximize 2 Patterns in one long bond paper (in short, you will need 4
bond papers).
 Below your illustrations put a label and a description.
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

RECORDING OF FINGERPRINTS

 In relation to Dactyloscopy, a normal person has 8 fingers & 2 thumbs.

 When there is the appearance of extra fingers of a person, the case is anatomically known as
Polydactylism.
 While the extra digits or fingers are called Supernumeraries.

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“Properly and Improperly” recorded fingerprints

ITEMS THAT MAKE UP A FINGERPRINT KIT

1. Ink roller – spreads ink.

2. Ink slab – ¼ inch thick and 6 or more inches long.

3. Card holder – clips the fingerprint card.

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4. Fingerprint ink – for fingerprint recording

5. Magnifying glass – used in examining developed latent prints. A 3-inch wide reading glass is
required.

Kinds of magnifying glass:

a) Linen tester – has an opening one inch square, with fixed focus.
b) Bausch and Lomb magnifier – also known as “Horse shoe magnifier.”
c) Hand lens – used in examining developed print.

6. Fingerprint powder – are specially manufactured.

7. Fingerprint brushes – appear in various designs

8. Fingerprint lifting tapes – different sizes

9. Latent fingerprint transfer cards – strips of fingerprint card.

10. Fingerprint card – 8x8 card.

11. Flash light – a very useful device for searching prints.

12. Ruler or tape measure – measurements

13. Pair of forceps – used in picking up objects

14. Graph paper – used for sketching purposes to indicate proper locations and measurements of
objects in the crime scene.

15. Evidence identification tape or tag – used to properly identify objects or physical evidence
gathered from the crime scene.

16. Scissors – used in cutting fingerprint tapes and for other purposes.

17. Rubber gloves – used primarily to avoid the technician to leave his own fingerprints in the object
being collected or examined.

18. Post-mortem fingerprinting equipment – contains hypodermic syringe, spoon, tissue builder
solvent, tissue cleaner, etc.

19. Carrying case – a box-like structure or an attaché type.

20. Inkless inking device – a porelon pad, sensitized fingerprint cards that is used to record
fingerprints even without staining the fingers.

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Materials needed in recording fingerprints:
a) Fingerprint ink
b) Fingerprint roller
c) Fingerprint slab
d) Fingerprint card
e) Fingerprint card holder

KINDS OF FINGERPRINT IMPRESSIONS

1. Rolled impression is one made by rolling an inked finger from one side of the finger nail to
the other.

2. Plain impression is one made by pressing an inked finger directly down upon a fingerprint
card without any rolling motion.

TYPES OF FINGERPRINT CARD

1. Criminal Fingerprint Card - used to record fingerprints of suspects and criminals.

2. Civilian Fingerprint Card - used in recording fingerprints of a civilian for various purposes
such as requirement for employment, clearance, etc.

PROCEDURE IN TAKING AND RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

1. Wash hands of subject with soap and water

2. The fingerprint card will be filled-out by the subject
3. Make sure that all needed materials are ready
4. Clean the needed materials
5. Ink and spread ink on the slab
6. Allow the ink on the plate to spin in the air
7. Test the amount of ink on the slab
8. Print the fingerprints of the subject
 Perspiring heavily? Use dry cloth and Alcohol
 Dry and hard? Apply Lotion and Massage
 Tell the subject not to help you.
9. Place the inked glass slab near the edge of the table, at extreme left.

10. Place the fingerprint card in the card holder, which is to the right of the inking plate. The first row
of five squares is properly aligned to the aperture of the card holder lid.

11. Ink and print the ten fingers following the sequence presented in the table.

Manner of inking and printing:

 Thumbs - rolled towards the subject’s body (inward).

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  Four other fingers - rolled away from the subject’(outward)
 The rolling of fingers should be done 180 degrees.

12. Print the 2 thumbs in the box provided below the fingerprint card (no rolling motion)

13. Print the 4 other fingers (the right and left index, middle, ring and little fingers) simultaneously in
the space provided below the fingerprint card (no rolling motion).

14. Thank the subject.

Temporary and Permanent Disability

QUALITY CHECKLIST OF RECORDED FINGERPRINTS

1. Is there a fingerprint impression in each finger block?

2. Were the fingerprints rolled fully, from nail to nail?
3. In every pattern, are the delta and core present?
4. Are the fingerprint impressions clear and distinct?
5. Are the fingerprint impressions uniform in tone and not too dark or light?
6. Are the rolled impressions in the correct finger blocks when compared to the plain impressions
below?

COMMON ERRORS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

1. Use of insufficient or too much ink.

2. The materials were not cleaned before use
3. The prints were not rolled properly.
4. The “up and down portion” of the terminal phalange are not properly inked and recorded.

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IMPORTANCE OF FINGERPRINT
1. Issuance of passport
2. Conferring of educational degrees
3. Employment in various agencies
4. Bank Transactions
5. Examinations
6. Insurance Claims
7. Wills and Inheritance Claims
8. Lying-in hospitals and maternity homes
9. Monitoring and checking of attendance

SPECIAL CONDITIONS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

1. Amputated (Amp) or Finger missing at birth (FMB)

 Write “Amp” or FMB at the upper right corner of the block.

2. Bandaged Finger Due to Injury

 Write “bandaged” on the plain impression NOT at the block.

3. Presence of scar
 Write the word “scarred” on the plain impression.

4. Presence of deformities on fingers

 Make use of Spatula and Spoon in recording the prints.

5. Partly amputated
 By all means, print the remaining, then write partly amputated on the plain impression.

6. Two thumbs at the same hand

 Ignore the outermost thumb and record the 5 fingers. At the back record the prints of the
outermost thumb and make a note.

7. Extra little finger at the same hand

 Ignore the outermost little finger. Begin recording from the thumb. Record the print of the
outermost little finger at the back of the card and make a note.

8. Extra finger appear anywhere between any of the fingers

 Record the prints of the fully-formed and normal fingers, but record also the print of the extra
finger which is NOT fully formed at the back of the card with notation.

9. A hand has six fully formed fingers.

 Begin recording prints from the thumb, then record any left-over finger at the back of the card.

10. Split thumb

 Print it in the usual manner and make a note on the plain impression below.

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11. Two or more normal fingers joined or webbed by thin membrane of skin
 Right hand fingers are recorded in plain impressions.
 Left hand fingers are recorded with great precautions.

12. Worn Fingerprints

 A technique known as "milking the fingers" can be used to raise the fingerprints prior to
fingerprinting.
 In a situation of dry, flaky fingers, simply add a small amount of hand lotion or ridge builder
prior to fingerprinting.
 The technique involves applying pressure or rubbing the fingers in a downward motion from
palm to fingertip.

13. Fingerprinting old-aged person

Remedies:
 First, use just a little more ink.
 Second, use a lighter pressure.
 Hand lotion rubbed into the fingertips of aged persons is helpful.

14. Fingerprinting people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism

 This situation presents problems because it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to bend their
fingers.
 There is also a bone condition known as ankylose in which the finger joints cannot be bent.
 The procedure in printing these special conditions is quite similar to that employed for printing
the dead person.

POSTMORTEM FINGERPRINTING
This is the process of recording the fingerprints of a dead person.

PROCEDURES IN TAKING THE FINGERPRINTS OF A DEAD PERSON

1. The ink is rolled on a glass slab, and then the slab is rolled around each of the deceased’s
extended fingers, instead of rolling the fingers on the slab.

2. The fingerprint card is then rolled around each of the inked fingers, making sure that each digit
is recorded in the correct square. The plain impressions are taken by pressing the fingerprint
card against the extended digits without any rolling.

3. Next, with a pair of scissors, a standard fingerprint card is cut up into pieces. Each of the ten
finger blocks is cut out, and also each of the three areas for plain prints, one for the right hand
plain fingerprints, one for those of the left hand, and one for the two plain impressions of the
thumbs.

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 4. If the finger blocks do not have printed numbers from 1 to 10 showing the sequence of the
fingers, it would be wise for the operator to number them himself so he will not get the
sequence of the rolled impressions mixed up.

5. Record other important information about the dead person.

PROBLEMS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS OF A CORPSE

1. The fingers are clenched (tight hold)

 Use finger strengtheners if possible before recording fingerprints.

2. The fingers are shriveled or shrunken

 With the use of hypodermic needle, the finger tips may be “blown up” with a solution of 1
part hot gelatin and 7 parts glycerin can be injected.

3. The finger skin is shredding

 Ten clean small bottles with labels
 A quantity of formalin

ACTIVITY No. 14 (LABORATORY ACTIVITY)

Title of Activity: RECORDING FINGERPRINT USING IMPROVISED

MATERIALS

 Request someone from your house to be your subject.

 Take his/ her fingerprints by following the rules presented in the video.
 Fill up the Fingerprint Card. If you are not able to print the card, you
may create a copy using bond paper. (A sample will be provided.)
 Write your name and the title of the activity.
 Take a clear photo of your drawing and attach it.

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 MODULE 3. FINAL GRADING LESSONS

1. To identify at least 20 personalities and their contribution in the development of dactyloscopy;

2. To trace the historical development of fingerprints;
3. To classify (or explain the process) fingerprints;
4. Explain how is the qualifying of an expert witness being done; and
5. To identify the demeanor of an expert witness.

PERSONALITIES & HISTORY

Emperor Te’in Shi (BC 246-210)

The first Chinese ruler who devised a seal carved from white jade.
Hua Chi = fingerprint.
Lo = arches and whorls
Ki = Loops.
 For the Chinese, loops are look upon as presages of good luck.

Aztecs
The tribe in Mexico that has tradition of printing their palm in mud to be placed in their tombs.

David Hepburn (1895)

a. Published a paper entitled:
b. “The papillary ridges on the hands and feet of monkeys and men” when he was connected with
the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Murder in the Tea Garden of Eden (India)

a. A man was killed with his throat cut in the Tea Garden of Eden in 1897.
b. The suspect was the ex-servant of the deceased.

Police Officer Edward Richard Henry

a. He eventually found a book with two bloodstain prints which were preserved and examined led
to his conviction (Vinluan & Mendoza, 2006 p. 7).

Dr. Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712)

a. Published a report on Ridges and Pores before the Royal Society of London in 1684.
b. Published a thesis entitled “Philosophical Transaction” that examined ridges and pores found
on epidermal skin.

Govard (Govert) Bidloo (1685)

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 a. He described the arrangement of skin ridges, pores on thumbs. His thesis was entitled
“Anatomia Humani Corporis” (Anatomy of Humane Bodies).

Hintze (1751)
a. A German who made several writings about Ridge Formations.

Bernhardus Albinus (1764)

a. Another German Physician who made study similar with those conducted by Hintze.
b. His study was on ridge formations and characteristics of pores.

Dr. Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694)

a. An Italian professor who studied his observations on skin, pores and ridges in 1856.
b. The “Grandfather of fingerprints.”
c. Published a book entitled “De Externo Tactus Organo.”
d. He gave the terms “loops and spirals”.
e. He named a skin layer “Malpighian Layer.”

The Londonderry Agreement (1691)

a. This traditional law created in 1691 in London, England.
b. It requires both party to impress their thumb prints on a document that contains the
agreement and conditions.

Thomas Bewick (1753-1828)

a. A Finest engraver who made fingerprints stamps in England.
b. An author of books. Two of his books contain the phrase- “Thomas Bewick, His Mark” with
his fingerprints engraved.

Dr. J.C.A. Mayer (1788)

a. A German who authored a book entitled “Anatomische Kupfertafein Nebst Dazu Gehorigen.”
b. Strengthened the “Principle of Individuality”
c. He said “There are no two fingerprints of different individuals that are exactly the same.”

Herman Welcker
a. He recorded his palm print in 1856.
b. He again recorded again his palm print in 1897.
c. Then he made observation on the two prints (41 yrs apart)
d. He strengthened the “Principle of Permanency”

Johannes Evangelista Purkinje (1787-1869)

a. A Czechoslovakian professor of the University of Breslau, Germany, known as the Father of
Dactyloscopy
b. The title of thesis was Commentatio de examine physiologico organi visus et
systematis cutanei” (A commentary of the physiological examination of the organs of
visions and the cutaneous system). Published on December 22, 1823.
c. In this thesis, he named 9 fingerprint patterns and laid down classification rules.

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William James Herschel (1833-1917)
a. The Chief Administrator - Hoogly District of Bengal, India.
b. He required the laborers (mostly Indians) to be fingerprinted/palmprinted inorder to prevent
impersonations.
c. In 1916, he published his 41-page book entitled “The Origin of Fingerprinting.”

Dr. Henry Faulds (1843-1930)

a. A Surgeon-Superintendent of Tsukiji Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.
b. He made series of writings about fingerprints in 1877. One of his articles was “On the skin
furrows of the hand.”

Edward Foster (1863-1956)

a. A Canadian constable of the Dominion Police who attended the World’s Fair to guard a
display of gold.
b. He suggested that fingerprint system would be more effective than Bertillon System.

FIRST CONVICTION IN U.S.A.

People vs Jennings
a. In 1911 the Illinois Police Department arrested a man named Thomas Jennings for murder.
b. The evidence against Jennings was slim except for fingerprint evidence.
c. The prosecution wanted to ensure the fingerprint evidence would be admitted before the
Illinois Supreme Court.

FIRST CONVICTION IN CANADA

People vs. Caracath & Parachique

a. It was Edward Foster who gave expert opinion to the first conviction in Canada based on
fingerprint evidence which took place in 1914.
b. The fingerprints from the scene matched with suspects: Peter Caracath and Gregory
Parachique who broke into the CPR Station in Petawawa, Ontario.
c. They left fingerprints on glass at the point of entry that was used for their identification.

THOMAS TAYLOR (1877)

a. Is a Microscopist of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.
b. He made a formal letter to the Washington Police Department and suggested that crime can
be resolved with the latent prints from the crime scene.

Isaiah West Taber (1880)

a. A photographer in San Francisco.
b. He suggested that fingerprinting should be adopted for the registration of Chinese immigrant
laborers in Northern America.

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Alphonse Bertillon (1882)
a. A French Criminologist and Clerk of Prefecture of Police at Paris, France.
b. The Father of Personal Identification.
c. He founded Bertillon System (1879), also known as
 Anthropometry,
 Antropoligical Signalment,
 Bertlillonage, or
 Signalement Antropometrique

d. Historically, the Bertillon System was questioned due to the famous “West Case”.
e. This is all about two persons - Will West (committed a crime) and William West (jailed).
f. These identical twins have the same face, height, body built and color of skin that a mistake of
identity was committed using the Bertillon System.

Belper Committee (1900)

a. Created by Lord Belper to investigate Bertillon System’s mistakes in identifying suspects (West
Case).
b. Decided to adopt Henry System.

Edward Richard Henry

a. He was appointed by the committee as Assistant Commissioner of London Metropolitan
Police.

Gilbert Thompson (1882)

a. A Geologist of United States Geologic Survey Camp.

b. Beginning in 1882, he used his Thumbprints to attest the genuiness of the camp orders issued
by him for the expeditions to New Mexico and states of US.

c. He also put his thumbprint on receipts issued by him. The first receipt which was marked with
his thumbprints was in the amount of 75 dollars.

Arthur Kollman (1883)

a. One of the first researchers to address the formation of friction ridges in embryos.

Francis Galton (1822-1911)

a. A British Anthropologist who was engaged in biological studies with the aid of the works of
William J. Herschel.
b. In 1892, wrote his first book entitled “Fingerprints.”
c. Named groups of patterns: Arches; Whorls & Loops

Juan Vucetich (1891-1892)

a. An Argentine Fingerprint Pioneer and a police officer of Argentina who devised the Vucetich
System.

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 46

 b. Vucetich System is mostly used at the Spanish – speaking countries of Central and South
America.

Samuel L. Clemens (a.k.a Mark Twain,1894)

a. An American author and lecturer, who wrote the:
 Pudd’n Head Wilson – in this novel story, bloody fingerprint was found in the murder
weapon in the crime scene. In order to identify the suspect, the Defense attorney let the
whole town fingerprinted.
 Life on the Mississippi – fingerprint was used in the resolution of a murder case.

Edward Richard Henry (1859-1931)

a. The successor of Sir Herschel and Galton.
b. In 1900 he published his book entitled “Classification and Uses of Fingerprint”.
c. Because of his contributions to police service and his persistence in devising a workable
system of classification, he became the Father of Modern Fingerprint.

Khan Bahadur Azizul Haque & Rai Hem Chandra Bose (1897)
a. The Indian fingerprint experts who helped ERH in coming up with Henry System.
b. The system became a success with the assistance of Certain Mathematics Professor at
Presidency College in Calcutta, India.
c. June 12, 1897 – India adopted Henry System for identification of Suspects and criminals as
well as classification of prints.

Dr. Henry P. DeForrest (1902)

a. Chief, New York Civil Service Commission (NY-CSC)
b. Installed a fingerprint system in the Civil Service Commission.
c. Note: Later adopted by the Philippine CSC in the 20th Century to stop impersonation of taking
CSC Examinations.

Capt. James I. Parke (1903)

a. He installed a fingerprint system in the New York State Prison (Albany, New York).

Sgt. John Kenneth Perrier (1904)

a. A Scotland Yard Police who was assigned to guard the British Crown Jewels during the World
Fair Exposition/Exhibit. He was a student of Henry and later became Instructor at St. Louis
Police Department (Missouri, USA).

Maj. R. Mccloughry (1904)

a. He was the Warden of the Federal Penitentiary of Leavenworth when the Office of the Attorney
General of the US granted permission to establish a Fingerprint Bureau on Nov. 2, 1904.

Inez Whipple (1871-1929)

a. He published a paper “The vential surface of the mammalian chiridium with special reference to
the conditions found in man.”

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Frederick A. Brayle (1910)
a. One of the earliest authors of First American books on fingerprints published in Boston by the
Worcester Press, Inc. in 1910.

Dr. Edmond Locard (1912)

a. The Father of Poroscopy. He gave the terms Loops and Spirals who examined pores in detail.

Sgt. David R. Ashbaugh (1993)

a. 1,611 = on smaller fingers
b. 2,658 = on the larger fingers

Robert D. Oslen Sr. (1978)

a. Papillary skin contains an average of
b. 2,700 = Pores per Square Inch.

Insp. Harry H. Caldwell (1915)

a. Member of California Police Department, Bureau of Identification.
b. He wrote request letters to the "Criminal Identification Operators" in August 1915, to form an
organization of detectives and to further the Identification profession.

Institute of Applied Science (June 16, 1916)

a. One of the pioneer schools in USA that offers Dactyloscopy. Located in Illinois.

Fingerprint and Identification Magazine (1919)

a. This is a monthly published magazine in United States that is devoted exclusively for
fingerprint science that started in 1919.

Harry J. Myers II (1925)

a. Installed a fingerprint system at Jewish Maternity Hospital (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA).

Mary K. Holland
a. She was recognized as the First American Instructor in Dactyloscopy.

Salil Kumar Chatterjee (1963)

a. A fingerprint scientist of Calcutta, India who devised his own fingerprint system.
b. His published work was a result of his study of the edge and shapes of ridges.

Harris Hawthorne Wilder

a. An American scientist who discovered that ridges first emerge in the fetus.

Harold Cummins (1893-1976)

a. A professor of Anatomy of the School of Medicine at Tulane University, Luisiana who studied
Dermatoglyphics.
b. Co-authored a book with Charles Midloo entitled “Fingerprint, Palms and Soles: An
Introduction to Dermatoglyphics”

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HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FINGERPRINT IN THE PHILIPPINES

Year 1900
 The use of fingerprints in the Philippines started in the country by the Americans.

Mr. Garry Jones

 An American who became the first instructor of fingerprints in the Philippines in 1900.

Generoso Reyes
 The first Filipino fingerprint technician employed by the PC, now PNP.

Isabela Bernales
 The first Filipina Fingerprint Technician.

Republic Act No. 409

 Created the Criminal Records and Identification Division (CRID) under the Manila Police
Department (MPD) (now WPD) in 1900.

Commonwealth Act No. 181

 Created the Division of Investigation (D.I.) that authorized the use of the Fingerprint
Identification System on Nov. 13, 1936.

Lt. Asa N. Darby

 The OIC of the Fingerprint Section of D.I. during the pre-occupation of the Americans in the
Philippines.

Republic Act No. 157

 This law abolished the D.I. on June 19, 1947
 At the same time, it created B.I.

Executive Order No. 94

 This law renamed B.I. to NBI on Oct. 4, 1947.

Thus, the Evolution of NBI is summarized as:

a. Division of Investigation
b. Bureau of Investigation
c. National Bureau of Investigation

Capt. Thomas Dugan (of NYPD) and Flaviano C. Guererro (Filipino member of FBI)
 They have helped the NBI establish their fingerprint files, conducted trainings among NBI
personnel and assisted in its first operations.

Reorganization Act No. 1407

 Created the Bureau of Prisons (now BuCor) on Nov. 1, 1905. At that time, the Bertillon
System of identification was in use.

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 49

Year 1910 – the Bureau of Prisons started the use of the Fingerprint System.

Lt. George M. Wolfe

 First Director, Bureau of Prisons (1909-1910).
 He taught fingerprints to Generoso La Torre.

Generoso La Torre
 The first Chief of the Identification Section (CIS) of the Bureau of Prisons from 1905 to 1920.
 He started the use of fingerprint system.
 In 1915, he went to I.A.S. for schooling on fingerprinting, there he met T. Dickerson Cooke.

T. Dickerson Cooke
 He is a fingerprint expert who founded the Institute of Applied Science in 1916, a
correspondence school that specialized in the study of fingerprints.

Plaridel Educational Institution (now, Philippine College of Criminology (PCCr)

 The first criminology school owned by Bautista Family to offer BSCrim and teach fingerprint in
the Philippines in 1954.

Other schools that opened B.S.Crim. in 1960s:

1. University of Baguio (1967)
2. University of Mindanao
3. University of Cebu
4. Abad Santos College

ACTIVITY No. 15 (LECTURE)

 Make a timeline to illustrate or show the history and personalities

involved in Personal Identification and Fingerprint Identification
 Use your creativity like using graphics.
 Examples are given.
 Use long bond paper, encoded or handwritten.
 This is worth 30 points.

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION

DIFFERENT FINGERPRINT SYSTEMS

There are more than 50 Classification Systems in the World, some are the following
1. Gasti System of Italy,
2. Pateer System of Holland
3. Vuccetich System of Argentina, and some other systems used by other countries.

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4. Henry System, NBI and FBI System with Modification and Extension is used by the Philippines.

STEPS IN CLASSIFYING FINGERPRINTS

1. Filling out and Recording
2. Interpretation of the Patterns – determining the name of pattern.
3. Blocking out – putting/writing the name of pattern on the space provided in the tenprint card.
4. Classification Proper

SYMBOLS OF THE FINGERPRINT PATTERNS IN BLOCKS:

1. Plain Arch ………………….... = A
2. Tented Arch …………………. = T
3. Radial Loop (Right Hand) …... = /
4. Radial Loop (Left Hand) ……. = \
5. Ulnar Loop (Right Hand) …… = \
6. Ulnar Loop (Left Hand) ……... = /
7. Plain Whorl …………………... = W
8. Central Pocket Loop Whorl ... = C
9. Double Loop Whorl…………. = D
10. Accidental Whorl ……….…… = X

Note: The diagonal symbol should be used in loops (Radial and Ulnar) and must always follow the
slope of the innermost sufficient recurve. Blocks numbers 1 to 5 are for the right hand fingers; while
block numbers 6 to 10 are for the left hand fingers.

RULES ON Amp or FMB

1. If one finger is amputated or finger missing at birth, its fingerprint pattern is based from the
opposite finger but its numerical value remains the same.
2. If both fingers are amputated or fingers missing at birth, their fingerprint patterns are considered
whorls (W) with their respective numerical values with meeting tracing.

THE SIX CLASSIFICATION GROUPS

1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION (PC) = (all fingers)

 This is the result of the summation of all the numerical values.
 Nos. 16,16,8,8,4,4,2,2,1,1 = are the numerical values
 Nos. 1,2,3-10 = are the standard sequence of fingerprints of a person.
 Whorls have numerical values
 Loops and Arches don’t have numerical values

2. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
 Indicate the type of fingerprint pattern of the index fingers using their symbols in capital letters
(A T R U W C D X).

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  The thumb, middle, ring and little fingers of both hands having fingerprint pattern of ARCHES
and LOOPS constitute the Small Letter Group (a, t, r) written at the adjacent of the index
fingers of both hands.
 When 2 or 3 of the same fingerprint appear, 2 or 3 as the case may be, preceding such pattern
is written.

Fingers involved:
1. Index Fingers - Serve as the main fingers
2. Four other fingers - to be classified using the Small Letter Group (a, t, r)

3. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION (SSC)

 Index, Middle, & Ring = are the Fingers involved in this classification.
 The ANSWER is placed at the right side of the Secondary Classification.

Rules for Sub-Secondary Classification (SSC)

A. Rules applied to loop patterns

1. INDEX FINGER: 1-9 ridge count = I (inner)

10 and above = 0 (outer)

2. MIDDLE FINGER:1-10 ridge count = I (inner)

11 and above = 0 (outer)

3. RING FINGER: 1-13 ridge count = I (inner)

14 and above = 0 (outer)

B. Rules Applied to Whorl Patterns

 Ridge count of 3 or more above the right delta = I
 Ridge count of 3 or more below the right delta = O
 Ridge counts of 0,1,2 either above or below the right delta = M

C. Arches are represented by dash (-).

4. MAJOR CLASSIFICATION (MC)

a. Thumbs of both hands shall be the ones to be classified.
b. Loops are ridge counted.
c. Whorls are ridged traced.
d. Answer for Major Classification is placed at left side of Primary Classification.

Steps:
1. Classify the left thumb. The result of the classification will determine what rule is to be
used for the right thumb.
2. Classify the right thumb. Use the rule that corresponds to the rule used in classifying the
left thumb.

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Rules for Major Classification (MC):
A. Applied for loops or a combination of loop and whorl
 Ridge count the loops
 Ridge trace whorls

LEFT THUMB RIGHT THUMB

1-11 = Small (S) 1-11 = Small (S)

12-16 = Medium (M)
17 & above = Large (L)
12-16 = Medium (M) 1-11 = Small (S)
12-16 = Medium (M)
17 & above = Large (L)
17 & above = Large (L) 1-17 = Small (S)
18-22 = Medium (M)
23 & above = Large (L)

B. Rules When the 2 THUMBS are Whorls (Use I.M.O)

 Ridge count of 3 or more above the right delta ……………...…. = I
 Ridge count of 3 or more below the right delta …………...……. = O
 Ridge counts of 0, 1, 2 either above or below the right delta …. = M

C. Arches are Represented by Small Dash (-)

5. FINAL CLASSIFICATION (FC)

a. This is the exhibition in a numerical figure of the ridge count of loops and/or whorls from the
two little fingers.
b. Fingers involved are the little fingers of both right and left hands.
c. Loops are to be ridge counted.
d. Whorls are to be “ridge counted,” treating them as loops for counting purposes.
e. Answer is placed at the extreme right of the classification line.
f. Arches are represented by small dash (-).

6. KEY CLASSIFICATION (KC)

a. The classification that is derived by ridge counting the first loop in a set of prints. The ridge-
count of the first loop may come from the right thumb or any other finger except the little
fingers. If no loop, look for the first whorl. If no loops and whorl, it shall be represented by
dash (-).
b. All fingers except little fingers are involved in KC.
c. The answer is placed above the classification line, left side of MC.

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 53

 ACTIVITY No. 16 (LECTURE)

 Your instructor will provide two sets of fingerprint.

 Provide for the fingerprint classification.
 Show the step-by-step process in getting the Henry’s FP classification
of the given sets of fingerprint.
 Every set of prints is worth 25 points.

ACTIVITY No. 17 (LECTURE)

 Search online and look for ten (10) criminal cases that have used
Fingerprint as evidence in court. You may search for international
cases, not just cases in the Philippines.
 Each case should contain the following: a) Case Title & Number; b)
Facts of the Case; c) Court’s Decision; d) Your analysis on the Case
 Compile the cases in a one-word file.
 Use Font Arial 11, short bond paper with 1” margin on all sides, and
single-spaced.
 This is a FINAL REQUIREMENT so do the best you can to accomplish
this and submit it ahead of the deadline.
 This activity is worth 100 points.

QUALIFYING THE EXPERT WITNESS

Frequently Asked Questions

 What do you mean by epidermal ridges?
 Are fingerprints made up of ridges?
 What are furrows?
 What is meant by minutiae?
 Of what value are they in fingerprint identification?
 How many layers of skin are there?
 What is the average thickness of skin on the palmar side of a young hand?
 What is poroscopy?
 Is poroscopy a science of identification like fingerprints?
 What is an inked impression?
 What is a latent print?
 What are fingerprint patterns and pattern areas?
 Can palm prints like fingerprints be used to establish identity?

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 54

  What is edgeoscopy?
 In fingerprint comparison, what is meant by apparent dissimilarity?
 Is there a specific number of points that one must find in order to conclude a positive
identification?
 What are the basic premises of fingerprint identification?
 Is fingerprint identification an exact science? If yes, then why would two examiners differ in
their opinion?
 Could you determine the exact age of a latent impression?
 What is a latent print transfer card?
 How is latent-print lifting done?
 What is a transfer lifting tape?
 What methods are employed in the development of latent prints and how do they work?
 How long will a latent print last?
 What is meant by a smudge print? Is a smudge print the same as the print of no value?
 How many points of identification are found in a normal rolled impression?
 What is natural dissimilarity?
 What are focal points in a fingerprint? Of what value are they?
 Can a fingerprint be forged?
 Can you tell in all instances that a print has been forged?
 Is it possible that the prints you found and developed are forged prints?
 What is ninhydrin and how does it work?
 What is iodine fuming method and how does it work?
 What is sebaceous oil?

Demeanor of an Expert Witness

In the book of Professor Proceso Tubid (1996) entitled “Dactyloscopy,” he wrote the following as a
guide to proper demeanor in the court by the expert witness in the stand:

1. Walk to the witness stand with even steps.

2. When taking the oath, hold your right arm up high with fingers straight and look at the officer
administering the oath.
3. When the officer finishes the oath, “So help me God,” you say “I do” in a loud voice so that
everyone in the courtroom can hear. Don’t wear flashy clothes.
4. When you take the witness stand, do so with confidence and dignity. Think before you speak.
5. When you begin to speak, speak loudly enough to be heard at the back of the courtroom.
6. Speak slowly and clearly. Use simple terms and phrases. Don’t use high sounding or technical
words and expressions that the judge and the court personnel can’t understand.
7. Listen carefully to the questions you are asked. Don’t be in a hurry. Take your time. Be careful and
sure of what you will say.
8. Be fair and frank. Don’t be too anxious to please or too eager to fight.
9. Do not speak as though you have a personal grudge against the defendant.
10. Keep your temper. Don’t let anyone irritate you into arguments over trivial points or even important
ones. Be firm but flexible.

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 55

11. If a question is asked and you are not sure of the answer or you can’t remember, say loudly and
clearly, “I do not know.” Never bluff or stall for time to make up an answer.
12. Be courteous to your own counsel; do the same to the opposition counsel. Do not give a long
winded answer, but answer the questions fully and simply. Sometimes a judge may interpose a
question. If he does, you have to face him when you make a reply.
13. Don’t get caught by the opposition’s counsel trick like this: Did you ever discuss this case to
anyone? Do not be taken in by this trick. Of course you did, and if asked, you can beat him at his
game by answering, “Yes sir, I discussed the case with _____ (your lawyer’s name).
14. Do not volunteer too much information when you answer a question. Be brief. Just answer the
question and stop.
15. Never refer to the defendant as the “guilty party” or the “criminal.” In our jurisprudence, the
accused is innocent until he is proven guilty by a judge in a trial court.
16. Avoid mannerism of speech. Don’t be in a habit of prefacing your replies with redundant phrases
like “I can truthfully say…. These may cast doubts on your testimony.
17. Never permit the opposition counsel to make you angry. This is a trick and when angered you
become confused and may say the wrong thing.
18. When the opposition counsel tries to get you to answer by mere “Yes” or “No” and you think this
might affect your testimony before you have a chance to complete your answer, turn to the judge
and say, “Your honor, may I please explain my answer?”
19. Don’t use the words “I think” or “I guess.” You are in court to state facts. When one of the lawyer
calls “Objection” or if the court interrupts, stop your testimony immediately and wait until the court
gives its ruling.
20. Don’t chew gum. It affects your demeanor.
21. Do not try to converse with anybody, witnesses, or parties to the controversy during the recess.
Converse only with the attorney who retains you to testify.
22. Do not memorize your testimony. On the other hand, keep your testimony flowing smoothly
without breaks in your remarks.
23. Avoid nodding your head to indicate a “Yes” or “No” answer.
24. When addressing the judge, use “Your Honor” and when addressing the attorneys, use their
names.
25. Always tell the truth.
26. At the conclusion of your testimony, ask if you may be excused; then leave the court immediately.

Questions by the Prosecutor

The actual questions and answers is used in examining the qualifications of expert witness will vary
with each trial, but the following questions and answers are typical ones based on the examination of
trial records and the author’s own experience in criminal trials.

After the witness has been given the oath, the prosecutor asks the following questions: and the
witness gives answers similar to those shown below:

QUESTION 1: What is your name?

QUESTION 2: Mr. Witness, what is your occupation?
ANSWER: Fingerprint Technician or Fingerprint Examination at ___________________

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QUESTION 3: What is your principal duty?
ANSWR: My principal duty is ______________________________________________
QUESTION 4: How long have you been a Fingerprint ___________________________
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 5: What occupation did you follow before becoming Fingerprint examiner?
ANSWER: Technician or _________________________________________________
QUESTION 6: When was your appointment as Fingerprint Technician?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 7: During the time that you were _______________ what were your duties?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 8: How many years in all have you been engaged in the fingerprint world?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 9: Have you ever received instructions in fingerprint science?
ANSWER: Yes sir.
QUESTION 10: Where did you receive this instruction?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 11: When did you take the instruction?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 12: What is a latent fingerprint?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 13: Why are they called latent fingerprints?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 14: In fingerprint, what do you mean by developed?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 15: How is this accomplished?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 16: Have you ever developed latent prints?
ANSWER: _____________________________________________________________
QUESTION 17: Can you compare a latent print after it was developed with the ink prints form of a
person and tell whether or not the developed latent print was left by that person?

Cross Examination by the Defense Lawyer

QUESTION 1: How many fingerprint records are in your files?

QUESTION 2: How are they filed?
QUESTION 3: Have you found fingerprints from different people to have the same classification?
QUESTION 4: Then why did you never found any two fingerprints alike?
QUESTION 5: What is Classification of fingerprints?
QUESTION 6: In your experience, have you ever made a mistake identifying fingerprints?
QUESTION 7: Have you examined the fingerprints of all people in the world?

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 57

 EVALUATION OF THE COURSE
After finishing the modules, please answer the following questions:

1. What lesson or activity did I enjoy most? Why?

2. What is the most important lesson which I can apply in my daily life?

3. What are the new insights/discoveries that I learned?

4. What topic/s do I find least important?

5. What possible topics should have been included?

Congratulations!
I am so proud of the countless
hours of study and hard work that
you've put into finishing this
course. Education is not like filling
a pail, but lighting a fire.
Explore! Discover! Dream!
– Dr. Warren Galas Moyao

A Self-Regulated Learning Module 58

 REFERENCES
Apostol, Sergio A.F. (2018). Essential of evidence. Quezon City: Central Publishing Co., Inc.
Bennette, Wayne W., Hess, Karen M. (2017) Criminal Investigation. New York: West/ Wadsworth
Publishing Company
Bridges, Burtis C. (2016). Practical Fingerprinting, New York: Funk & Wagnalls Company.
Chapel, Charles Edward (2017). Fingerprinting; A Manual of Identification, New York: Coward McCann,
Inc.
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Montojo, Felipe G. (2006). Fingerprints Identification: Lessons for Criminology Students.
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UNPUBLISHED REFERENCES
Criminology Review Center. Fingerprint Science. Northeastern College. Santiago City, Philippines.
Dumaga, Stephen S. & Vicente, Jezreel B. (2006). Notes on Fingerprinting. Unpublished Manual. PLT
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Holy Bible: Old Testament. Job 26:7 and Kings 160:34-37

Several Handouts were used in the preparation of this book which are available to the author.
Syllabi of the Licensure Examination for Criminologists. Annex A. Signed by Hermogenes P. Pobre,
Former Chairman, Professional Regulation Commission.

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Padduyao, Fernando (2013). Handout on Dactyloscopy. Unpublished Material at University of the
Cordilleras, Baguio City.
Detran, Rose Marie (2014). Handout on Dactyloscopy. Unpublished Material. University of Baguio
Baguio City.

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