Palmar zone
Area at the base of the fingers
Thenar zone
cushion area at the base of the thumb
Hypothenar zone
cushion area at the base of the little finger
Carpal delta zone
the area of the palm containing a delta formation nearest the wrist
Fingerprint pattern area
ball of fingertips
Medial phalangeal zone
second/middle joint of the finger
Proximal phalangeal zone
area/finger joint located adjacent to the palm
Distal interphalangeal flexion creases
b/w fingertip and medial phalangeal zone
Medial interphalangeal flexion creases
b/w medial and proximal phalangeal zones
Proximal interphalangeal flexion creases
where finger meets hand
Radial longitudinal flexion crease
starts b/w thumb and index finger and arcs down to wrist
Proximal transverse flexion crease
starts b/w thumb and index finger and arcs across hand to hypothenar
Distal transverse flexion crease
starts beneath little finger - arcs upwards towards index finger
Ring creases
may appear d/t prolonged wearing of rings; appear as additional creases in the proximal pharangeal zone
Tibial side of the foot
inner side of the foot
Fibular side of the foot
outside portion of the foot
Ball Pattern Zone
ball of foot beneath first and midway between 2nd toe
Plantar Pattern Zone
ball of foot beneath midway 2nd-5th toes
Tread Area or Medial Pattern Zone
midfoot/arch
Calcar Pattern Zone
heel
Rare Tibial Pattern Zone
arch area nestled in front of heel
Rare Fibular Pattern Zone
outer midfoot just behind 5th tarsal
TF - Latent fingerprint evidence can be developed, but it cannot be intensified
True
TF - Fingerprint evidence is delicate; a powdered print may be oblieterated by a stroke of a brush
True
TF - Fingerprint evidence has no other application than in criminal investigations by law enforcement agencies.
False. May be used to identify disaster victims, identify babies when mix-ups occur in the maternity ward, establish authenticity of documents in civil actions
TF- papillary ridges form on a fetus during months 3-4 of fetal life
True
TF-Much greater friction is developed on skin on the back of the hand than on the palmar side.
False. Palmar side has ridges and is continuously moistened by glandular activity.
TF- Pores may occur anywhere across the surface of a ridge, but are most often found near the midline
True
TF- A permanent scar may result when the epidermis but not the dermis layer of the skin is damaged.
False. Continuous turnover of epithelial cells allows for restoration of original ridge pattern. Scarring has to reach the dermis to be permanent.
TF- Fingerprint patterns serve the purposes of the investigator, but friction ridges do not.
False. ID or exclusion of fingerprints is dependent on the individual ridge characteristics in a fingerprint.
TF- There is common agreement among authorities of the exact definitions and types of ridge characteristics.
False. Currently being worked on by OSAC though! (ASB 016, Terminology Related to Friction Ridge Examination)
TF- A trifurcation is one of three basic types of ridge characteristics.
False. The three basic ridge characteristics are: ridge endings, bifurcations, and dots
TF - Fingerprint patterns and characteristics of two fingers of the same individual are on rare occasions found to be identical
False. "No two fingerprint patterns of different people's fingers nor two patterns of different fingers of the same person have ever been found to be identical" (Scott, p. 21)
TF- Fingerprints may be used in criminal investigations only to establish guilt.
False. They may also be used to establish innocence!
TF- Fingerprint patterns increase in size between childhood and maturity.
True. As you grow, so do your fingerprint patterns.
TF - Occupational damage to the ridge formation is usually temporary, and the damage may be corrected in time if given an opportunity.
True. Chemists, photographers, carpenters, bricklayers, electricians, and machinists may see temporary ridge damage, but it will be corrected with time.
TF - The Henry System of fingerprint classification is based on all 10 of an individual's fingers.
True.
TF - a knowledge of fingerprint classification is not particularly useful unless a person's duties also include classifying fingerprints.
False. Knowledge of fingerprint classification is an advantage to a person who develops and handles fingerprint evidence.
TF - The terms identical and similar may be used interchangeably.
False. Identical means exactly alike in every detail while similar means alike but NOT identical.
TF - Positive identification of fingerprints may be made by pattern type alone.
False. Identification is based on distinctive ridge characteristics and their relationship to each other.
TF - The more legible a fingerprint, the easier it is to make a comparison and establish positive identification.
True.
TF - An obvious dissimilar ridge characteristic appearing in a latent but not in an inked impression does not interfere with positive identification.
True. Apparent dissimilar characteristics which can be adequately explained do not detract from a positive identification.
TF - There is no scientific basis for requiring a minimum number of ridge characteristics which must be present in two fingerprints in order to establish positive identificaiton.
True! (Evett & Williams 1988)
TF - Some European countries have adopted minimum standards regarding a minimum number of ridge characteristics, based on a scientific analysis of ridge characteristics and their frequency of distribution within fingerprint pattern areas.
False. These standards are without a valid scientific basis and were adopted prior to any meaningful experience in dealing with large #s of fingerprint files.
TF - Powder development of latent prints usually fills or covers the pores even though they may be present in the print
True.
TF - The result of increased activity of sweat glands is sometimes seen on objects handled by suspects at crime scenes.
True.
TF - Pore structure in developed latents may be lost to view in photographic prints through improper photographic processes
True.
TF - Darker areas obscure lighter areas in the blocking-out process in photographic processes.
True.
TF - The evidential value of palm prints is not equal to fingerprint evidence.
False.
TF - Impressions of the hypothenar pattern zone of the palm are not commonly found on questioned documents.
False.
TF - Creases in palm prints and footprints are of little or no assistance when making comparisons of friction ridge characteristics.
False. They serve as reference points from which to start the search for ridge characteristics and help indicate orientation of the print to the examiner.
The ridges on the fingers, palms, and soles of the feet are commonly referred to as ________________ or ________________ ridges.
papillary, friction
The three basic types of ridge characteristics are ........
ridge endings, bifurcations, and dots
The papillary system consists of ________, ________, _______, and ________
ridge surface, pores, ducts, and sweat glands
_______________ are the basis of fingerprint identification.
individual ridge characteristics and their relative location to each other
A ridge that splits or forks in two ridges is called a _______________
bifurcation
Ridge formations in life are changed only by ________________, ________________, ________________, ________________ or other similar causes -- or in rare instances, ____________________
accident, injury, burns, disease, intentionally
The ________________ _________________ of fingerprint classification was the basis of the first widespread system in the United States
Henry Classification
Identical, as used in fingerprint work, is the strictest term for ________ and __________ agreement in all details.
same, matching
Two elements that enter into proof of identity of fingerprints are _______________ and _____________.
characteristics; position of characteristics
___________ and the nature of the ___________ _______________ may superficially alter the relative positions of ridge characteristics
Excessive pressure; receiving surface
The presence or absence of ___________ dissimilar characteristics is essential for positive identification of fingerprints.
unexplainable
Fingerprint identification is based on the __________ __________ that the chances of two individuals having the same identical ridge characteristics in the same relative positions is so remote as to be impossible.
statistical probability
In fingerprint work ____________ is the term applied to a specialized study of sweat gland openings found on the papillary ridges of the skin as a means of identification.
Poroscopy
In ordinary powder development, powder particles may fill in the _____________ even though the may be present in a latent print.
pores
____________ is the term applied to a study of the characteristics formed by the sides of papillary ridges as a means of identification.
Edgeoscopy
It is always good to take major case prints in investigations of serious offenses from all ___________, _____________, and _____________.
suspects, victims, and witnesses
_____________ evidence is sought just as diligently as fingerprints by investigators at crime scenes.
Palm print
The large cushion area of a palm at the base of the little finger is referred to as the _________________ pattern zone.
hypothenar
Papillary ridges may be found on the ____________, ___________, and ____________
fingers, palms, soles of the feet
The tibial side of a footprint is name for the tibia, which is the ___________ and ___________ of the two bones of the lower leg.
inner, larger