SESSIONS:

DACTYLOSCOPY – comes from the root word Dactyl (dactile); GREEK word
DAKTYLOS meaning FINGER.

1. Background of Fingerprint Identification

 In ancient civilization a criminal was marked as a criminal through branding or
maiming.
 In ancient Babylon, the clay tablet that were used in business transaction
required fingerprints.
 In ancient China and 14th century Persia, thumbprints were found on clay
seals or in various official documents
 The Idea was given by Dr. Henry Faults (scottish)In 1870, who was working in
Tokyo, Japan, published an article in the Scientific Journal, "Nautre" (nature).
 Sir Francis Galton (english) In 1880 he began observing the use of fingerprint
for identification. He published a book 1892 discussing the individuality and
permanence of fingerprint. He included the First Classification System for fingerprint.

2. Why Fingerprint Identification?

Fingerprints offer an infallible means of personal identification. That is the
essential explanation for their having supplanted other methods of establishing the
identities of criminals reluctant to admit previous arrests
Other personal characteristics change - fingerprints do not. In earlier civilizations,
branding and even maiming were used to mark the criminal for what he was. The thief
was deprived of the hand which committed the thievery. The Romans employed the
tattoo needle to identify and prevent desertion of mercenary soldiers.
Recently, law enforcement officers with extraordinary visual memories, so-called
"camera eyes," identified old offenders by sight. Photography lessened the burden on
memory but was not the answer to the criminal identification problem. Personal
appearances change.

3. Science of Fingerprints
FINGERPRINT
- is the most positive means of personal identification. It has been found out that
the intricate pattern on the fingers are permanent, individual and never undergo a
natural change, except in the size of the pattern during the life time of individual.
Friction skin patterns/designs/ formations appear on the finger tips, palms of the
hands and soles of the feet five (5) months before birth this remained unchanged during
the life of individual until decomposition sets in after DEATH.
FINGERPRINTS probability of an individual to have the same fingerprint is 1:64
billion.
a. Who is a Fingerprint Examiner?
Fingerprint Examiner is a title given to a license criminologist who had
undergone and completed the required training in the Science of Fingerprinting
(Fingerprint Identification) and passed other qualifications in accordance to its standard.
b. Definition of Fingerprints
1) As an IMPRESSION
It is the reproduction on some smooth surfaces of the pattern or design
formed by the ridges on the inside of the end joint of the fingers or thumb, through the
medium of ink or any coloring substance capable of producing visibility.
 2) As a SCIENCE
It is the identification of person by means of the ridges appearing on the
fingers, on the palms and on the soles of the feet.
c. Terminologies
1) Bifurcation – the forking or dividing of one ridge line into two or more
branches.
2) Divergence - the spreading apart of two ridges which have been running
parallel or nearly parallel.
3) Ridge – elevated portion of skin which make the print. They result from
the fusion of separate skin layer, sweat pores run in single row along the ridges and are
deposited on a surface when print is made.
4) Valley – deepened portion of the skin which serve as the base of the
ridge.
5) Shoulders – the point of which the recurring ridge of a loop type pattern
definitely turns inward or curves.
6) Delta – the point on a ridge, at or in front of the center of divergence of the
type line..
7) Core – the approximate center of a fingerprint.
d. Principles of Fingerprints
1) INDIVIDUALITY – That the complex of the ridge details in a single
fingerprints or even part one is not duplicated in any other finger.
2) PERMANENCY – That fingerprints do not change in its ridge
characteristics of fingerprint pattern throughout our life time of an individual and they
persist after DEATH until the skin is decomposed.
3) INFALLIBILITY – That fingerprint is “Incapable of Error” meaning cannot
err or commit mistake.
e. Importance of Fingerprints
1) Prevent impersonation (changing personal data)
2) Speedy identification of wrongdoer (falsification, forgery)
3) Serve to give evidence (identification of criminals)
4) Helps to identify victims of disasters, calamities, floods, etc.
5) Identifies bodies whose cadaver are beyond recognition.
6) Aids judiciary in penal treatment (fingerprinting of prisoners)
7) Prevent criminal substitution of the newly born.
The PAJERO LADY. Ma. Lourdes De Guzman a.k.a. Josephine Roque
Garcia. On January 29, 2005 Josephine Roque Garcia was arrested by the police.
During the trial, the police through the use of fingerprint analysis managed to prove that
Josephine Roque Garcia is the same Ma Lourdes De Guzman who has a string of
criminal cases pending in various courts.
In fact, to evade from these cases, she even made it appear that she had
an accident that resulted in her supposed death in Norzagaray, Bulacan sometime in
January 2003. Using the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), the police
compared the said fingerprints with the fingerprints taken from the suspect on January
30, 2005, and found out that they “are impressions made by one and the same person”.
On the basis of this finding, Quezon City RTC Branch 223 Judge Ramon
Cruz held in his Decision dated February 21, 2005 that Josephine Roque Garcia is the
same Ma Lourdes De Guzman whose conviction by Branches 141 and 145 of the
Makati RTC had been sustained by the Court of Appeals and the Supreme Court.
 f. Types of Fingerprint Pattern and Interpretation
Fingerprint are resolved into three (3) large general groups of patterns:
1) ARCH
a) Plain Arch
b) Tented Arch
2) LOOP
a) Radial Loop
b) Ulnar Loop
3) WHORL
a) Plain whorl
b) Central Pocket Loop
c) Double Loop
d) Accidental Loop

ACCIDENTAL WHORL

Radial – are named after the radius, a bone in the forearm that joints the
hand on the same side as the thumb. The flow of pattern in radial loops run in the
direction of radius. (Towards the thumb)
Ulnar – are named after the ulna, a bone in the forearm that joints the hand.
Ulna is on the same side of the little finger and the flow of pattern run in the direction of
the ulna. (Towards the little finger)
g. Two Types of Impressions
1) Rolled Impression - requires that the thumb be rolled towards and
fingers away from the center of the subjects body.
2) Plain Impression - requires that the thumb and fingers be taken or
printed simultaneously without rolling.
h. Important Points to be considered in taking Legible Fingerprints
1) Cleanliness of equipment
2) The right kind and correct amount of ink.
3) Proper distribution of ink on the glass slab or inking plate.
4) The distance of the subject from the inking plate on the fingerprint card.
5) The advise of the operator to the subject to relax and never to aid the
operation.
6) The pressure exerted must be slight and even the rolling be continuous
movement including the lifting.
7) The nail of the fingers should be at right angle to the glass slab or to the
card before starting the rolling, always roll the fingers until the other side of the nails is
reached.
 8) The inking and printing must always reached below the first joint of the
fingers.
9) The thumb should be rolled towards the subjects body all other fingers
away from the subjects body.
10) While rolling the fingers, the subjects hand should be held/controlled
properly to prevent twisting and slipping of the fingers.
11) Proper alignment.
i. Equipment Needed in taking the Fingerprint Impressions
1) Fingerprint roller (6"long, 2" inches diameter)
2) Fingerprint ink
3) Card holder
4) Glass slab or inking plate (1/2 cm x 6 x 14")
5) Cleaning materials (alcohol, petroleum, cloth, cream, oil etc,)

4. PROBLEM ENCOUNTERED BY THE FINGERPRINT OPERATOR

a. When the fingers have fresh cut, wounds or bandage which will present the
recording:
Solution:
 Note in the corresponding space on the card eg., Fresh cut, bandage
finger etc, and when wound was healed
 re-take another set of standard fingerprint.
 If is possible use a magnifying glass and examine the ridges directly on
the fingers and then record on the corresponding space on the card the pattern
interpretation, a ridge counting and ridge tracing.
b. When the hands are perspiring excessively.
Solution:
Wipe the finger with cloth immediately before inking If the perspiration cannot
be controlled, wipe the fingers with alcohol.
c. When the fingers are very dry like the fingers of some brick layers and
carpenters.
Solution:
Rub the finger with oil, cream or lotion.
d. When the fingers are very fine like the ridges of the fingers of the children :
Solution:
Use a very little amount of ink or spread a very thin coating of ink on the
glass slab.
e. When one or more of the fingers are lacking or missing:
Solution:
Record the present fingers and place a notation on the corresponding space
on the card. E.g. Missing at birth, and amputated at the first joint.
f. When the fingers are bend, broken or crippled:
Solution:
Use of the method of taking the print of the dead.
g. When the subject has more than ten fingers appear anywhere between or any
of the fingers:
Solution:
 The thumbs and the next four fingers, to them should be printed and any
fingers left over should be printed on the other side of the card with a notation made to
the effect that they are “extra fingers”.
h. Should any extra finger appear anywhere between or any of the fingers:
Solution:
Record the print of the one fully formed, normal fingers in the proper
sequences. Then record the extra digits on the back of the card with a notation as to
where it appears.
i. In case a split thumb, a thumb having two nails or when the subject has two
or more fingers, webbed or grown together, making impossible to roll such fingers in its
side.
Solution:
Print the usual manner just like any normal thumb and make a notation of
the back of the card.

5. COMPARISON OF PRINTS
a. SEARCHED PRINT – are print that are being questioned.
b. REFERENCE PRINT – are print that are on file or known prints.
 Points of Comparison in Fingerprint
1) Bifurcation
2) Dots/ Fragments
3) Islands
4) Ending ridges
5) Short Ridges
 QUESTION?
Can you force a person to be fingerprinted?
ANSWER:
YES! As long as the person is under legal arrest he can be forced to be
fingerprinted. A person under arrest who refuses to be fingerprinted may be prosecuted
by disobedience to the agent of the person in authority, defined in, and penalized under
Article 151 of the RPC
 RULES ON EVIDENCE
Evidence- it is a means, sanction by the Rules of Court of ascertaining in a
judicial proceeding the truth respecting a matter of fact. (Sec. 1, Rule 128 Rules of
Court)
Sec 3 Rule 128 Admissibility of Evidence- Evidence is admissible when it
is relevant to the issue and is not excluded by the law or these rules.
Admissibility of evidence refers to the question of whether or not the
evidence is to be considered at all. Admissible evidence is evidence of such character
that the court is bound to receive.
Admissible Evidence
QUESTION?
Are taking of standard fingerprint, urine sample admissible in evidence, if
such is taken without the presence of an attorney?
ANSWER.
Yes, what the Constitution prohibits is the use of physical and moral
compulsion to extort communication from the accused, but not an inclusion of his body
in evidence, when it may be material. In fact, an accused may validly be compelled to
be photograph or measured, or his garments or shoes removed or replaced or to move
his body to enable the foregoing things to be done, without running a foul of the
proscription against testimonial compulsion.
(Gutang VS People of the Phils. 129 SCAD 433.)

6. LATENT PRINTS
a. Definition of Latent Prints
LATENT PRINTS – Fingerprints found at the crime scene are known as
chance impressions or latent prints.
– are those markings usually rather indistinct, left by the oily matters or
perspiration exuded from the finger tips or palms upon any substances which the
fingers/ palms may have touched. FOOT PRINT is also included.
Latent means something hidden or concealed
b. IMPORTANCE OF LATENT PRINTS
1) Links Crime to the Criminal
2) 2. Latent print found at the scene of crime is considered sufficient to
convict a person for the most heinous crime & sentence him with the maximum possible
punishment
c. Types of Latent Prints
1) Visible latent prints- are latent prints which are left on the surface
whenever our fingers are smeared with any colored substances such as wet paint or
blood, oil or dust.
2) Semi-visible latent prints- are latent prints which are marked on the
surface whenever our fingers touch soft object like wax or candle. These latent prints
are known as plastic or mold prints and also known as three dimensional prints
because it has length, width and depth.

3) Invisible latent prints- are latent prints whose markings are caused by
the sweat that left on the surface whenever our fingers touch on object.
d. What Causes The Markings
1) Ridges or the raised strip of the skin.
2) The sweat or perspiration.
3) Oily or greasy hands.
e. What is the Composition of the Sweat
1) 98.5% to 99.5% is water
2) 5% to 1.5% solid matter= 1/3 salt, 2/3 urea, volatile fatty acids, albumin
acids, etc.
f. Methods of Developing Latent Prints
1) Physical or Mechanical Method
a. Principle involved is that the developing reagent adhered or stick to the
sweat that are present in the latent print.
2) Chemical Method
- Principle involved is that when the developing reagent comes in contact
with the chemical composition of the sweat another chemical element is formed or there
is a chemical reaction that takes place.
 PHYSICAL METHOD
 - Brush Method
- Rolling Method
- Magnetic Brush Method
KINDS OF FINGERPRINT POWDER:
(except: White Powder)
o Aluminum Powder (Brush Method)
o Black Powder (Brush Method)
o Lycopodium (Rolling Method)
o Magnetic Powder (Magnetic Brush)
o Fluorescent Powder (Brush Method)
o Ferrite Powder (Brush Method)
How To Improvised Fingerpint Brush Through The Use Of Chicken
Feathers And Bamboo Stick
a) Select or choose at least 10-15 pcs of soft chicken feathers.
b) Fix the feathers with the string on the end portion of the stick.
How To Developed Latent Print Through The Use Of Candle Flame
Procedures:
a) Light the candle.
b) Place the saucer/plate over the flame of the candle with at least 1-inch
distance from the flame to produced soot.
c) Use improvised chicken feather brush to extract the candle soot from
the saucer/plate.
d) Process the evidence by using this brush with candle flame soot.
e) Then lift the developed prints, normally by using fingerprint lifting tape
(scotch tape).

 CHEMICAL METHOD
 Ninhydrin Acetone Solution
 Ninhydrin Benzene Solution
 Victoria Pure Blue
 Emulgen Black
 Superglue (Gas Method)
 Iodine Fuming
 Cyanoacrylate or ‘Super Glue’ Fuming
PREPARATION OF NINHYDRIN ACETONE SOLUTION
Procedures:
a) 1.Prepare 1 gm of Ninhydrin powder.
b) 2.Mix it with 200 ml of Acetone.
c) 3.Apply this prepared chemical by using brush, by spraying over the
entire surface of he evidence, or by immersing the whole evidence into the prepared
solution. Applicable to absorbent materials (like paper, tissue paper, paper bills,
envelope, carton box, etc.)
PREPARATION OF NINHYDRIN BENZENE SOLUTION
Procedures:
a) Prepare 1 gm of Ninhydrin powder.
b) Dissolve with 20 ml of Ethanol.
c) Add 180 ml of Benzene.
d) Apply this prepared chemical by using brush and slightly apply to the
entire surface of evidence such as paper with writings (e.g.notebook pages with writings
using writing instruments like ball pen, sign pen, markers and the like).
PREPARATION OF VICTORIA PURE BLUE
Procedures:
 a) 1.Prepare 1gm of Victoria Pure Blue powder.
b) 2. Mix it with one (1) liter of water.
c) 3.Then process the evidence/items by immersing the whole part of the
specimen into the prepared solution. If latent prints were developed, immediately wash
or rinse with water. This solution is only applicable to adhesive tapes (eg paper tape,
packaging tape, etc.)
PREPARATION OF EMULGEN BLACK
Procedures:
a) Prepare 0.3 gm of Emulgen 130K powder.
b) Mix it with 3 gms of Ironoxide.
c) Dissolved in 100 ml of water.
d) Immerse the whole part of the specimen into the prepared solution.
Iflatent prints were developed, immediately rinse with water.
This solution is applicable to adhesive tapes, glass, plastic bag, tin can
and others.
HOW TO PREPARE SUPERGLUE (GAS METHOD)
Procedures:
a) Drop small amount of superglue (Mighty Bond) into the saucer or plate.
b) Mounted or fix the saucer/plate with superglue at the bottom (inside)
of the fuming box or a sealed container/developing glass cabine.
c) Hang all the evidence/items inside the fuming box for latent print
processing (developing). Close it firmly and properly.
d) Wait at least 20-30 minutes to have complete developed latent
impressions on the objects evidence being processed in the fuming box.
e) Photograph individually the developed fingerprints immediately, for
comparative examination with the standard prints
 FUMING METHOD
 Iodine Fuming- obsolete
 Cyanoacrylate or ‘Super Glue’ Fuming - recent used

 IODINE FUMING METHOD

 A physical process i.e. no chemical reaction
 Iodine vapors are absorbed by oils & fats
 Yellow-brown colored volatile prints
 Prints can be fixed by using Benzoflavine
 Prints can be fixed & transferred by ‘Iodine Silver’ Process
 Used before ninhydrin (as fats & oils are soluble in acetone and ether
used in the ninhydrin process)
 Can be used on any doubtful condition
 Used on both porous and non-porous surfaces
 CYANOACRYLATE / ‘SUPER GLUE’ FUMING
 One of the best available modern methods for non- porous surfaces &
large areas.
 Acting on the amino acid forms hard white polymer.
 Humidity (80%) & temperature (120 degree C) expedite the process.
 Over exposure should be avoided.
g. Preservation of Fingerprints by Photography
When possible, fingerprints found at the crime scene should be preserved by
photography before any attempt to collect. The photographer must be skilled in
photographic techniques and how to obtain reproduction of fingerprint as accurate and
true to the original as possible. Photographing a fingerprint leaves the object intact so
that further photo can be taken if the first is unsuccessful. It also makes the evidence
easier to produce in court. If prints are lifted, the object on which they were discovered
can be seen in the picture.
h. Collection and Preservation Fingerprints
1) Preservation of Plastic or Mold Fingerprints
If a fingerprint has been left in the material that has been hardened, or
were able to withstand transport , it may be sent directly to the crime laboratory. If
removing the plastic print poses a special problem, it should be photographed using
oblique light to bring out as much detail as possible, and then by an appropriate casting
material.
2) Preservation of Fingerprints by Lifting Tape
Using a special transparent cellophane tape is the most common method
of collecting latent fingerprint evidence. the tape is supplied in rolls and usually one or
two inches wide. After the surface is dusted with fingerprint powder, the tape is placed
over the print. The collector must take extra cautious to prevent any air pockets in the
tape. The tape is then smoothed down over the print with the aid of a finger and then
drawn off. The fingerprint powder will adheres to the sticky surface of the tape and
thereby transfers the fingerprint pattern. The tape is then placed onto a card of
appropriate color that contrasts with the powder used.
i. Marking and identifying Fingerprint Lift
After a fingerprint has been developed, lifted and placed onto a card, it is
necessary that the card is properly identified and marked. The card should be marked
with the date, case number, address of the crime scene, name of collector who lifted the
print, exact place of the lift, and the type of the object that it was lifted from.
 Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
Definition of AFIS – is a BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION(ID)methodology
that uses digital imaging technology to obtain, store and analyze fingerprint data. The
AFIS was originally used by US Federal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) in criminal cases.
- Is the process of automatically matching one or many unknown
fingerprints against a data base of known and unknown prints. It is primarily used for
criminal identification, the most important of which include identifying a person
suspected of committing a crime or link a suspect to other unsolved crimes.
Purposes of AFIS
 Criminal identification
 Applicant background checks
 Receipt of benefits
 Receipt of credentials (such as passport)
 Security access
 Fingerprint Scanner – use for time clock
 Biometric Door Access and Time Attendance System – allows to replaced
existing key locks or ID card reader access control to increase the level of security.
j. Eliminating of Prints
It is very likely that the majority of fingerprints found and developed at the
crime scene have been left by the persons who had legitimate access to the premises.
It is important that some fingerprint be eliminated so that the examination may be
concentrated on the remaining prints

SUMMARY:
 In this lesson we learned how valuable fingerprints can be to investigator and
crime scene specialist. It is one of the most positive means of identifying a person
especially to the one who hide their identity to the law enforcement.
Before, many fingerprint files were manually maintained by the investigator. It
took a lot of work and huge amount of time to search for a positive match.
Today with the advent of computer that were developed, investigators in the
fields were greatly benefited from this breakthrough of new technology. Computer data
base can stores and process considerable amount of fingerprint data in seconds. The
art of fingerprinting is greatly improved, it allows unknown prints to be scanned and
matched with the fingerprints on file through a computer search.
QUESTION?
 Are we ready and prepared to go to the crime scene?
 Can we surely solve the crime?

ACTIVITIES AND METHODS OF INSTRUCTION USE:

o Lecture, Demonstration, Film showing
o TESTING AND EVALUATION
o Practical exercise
- How To Take Inked Fingerprints (Ten Prints)
- Take And Identify At Least Two (2) Fingerprints ( your own fingerprint and
your buddy)