FINGERPRINTS
Dactyloscopy (the study of fingerprints)
> A fingerprint is an individual characteristic. No two people have the same fingerprint.
> A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the life of an individual, however, the characteristics of the print may change over time due to permanent scars and diseases
> Fingerprints are identified by their ridge characteristics
> A fingerprint is made of a series of ridges and valleys on the surface of the finger. The uniqueness of a fingerprint can be determined by the pattern of ridges and valleys as well as the minutiae points, which are points where the ridge structure changes.
> When minutiae on two different prints match, these are called points of similarity or points of identification. At this point there is no international standard for the number of points of identification required for a match between two fingerprints. However, the United Kingdom requires a minimum sixteen points while Australia requires twelve.
> A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the life of an individual, however, the characteristics of the print may change over time due to permanent scars and diseases
> Fingerprints are identified by their ridge characteristics
> A fingerprint is made of a series of ridges and valleys on the surface of the finger. The uniqueness of a fingerprint can be determined by the pattern of ridges and valleys as well as the minutiae points, which are points where the ridge structure changes.
> When minutiae on two different prints match, these are called points of similarity or points of identification. At this point there is no international standard for the number of points of identification required for a match between two fingerprints. However, the United Kingdom requires a minimum sixteen points while Australia requires twelve.
FINGERPRINT CLASSES / PATTERNS
> There are 3 specific classes for all fingerprint based upon their visual pattern: arches, loops and whorls
> Each group can then be divided into smaller groups
> Each group can then be divided into smaller groups
RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
Along with the identification of patterns, fingerprint experts examine the ridge characteristics as well.