Forensic Science
Galton Details Notes
Fingerprints as Evidence
PARTNER DISCUSSION: Why are fingerprint patterns (loop, arch, whorl) considered class
evidence? What would have to make it individual evidence?
Levels of Classifying Fingerprints
The 3 levels of fingerprint classification:
1) ________________matching (a _____________characteristic—loop, arch,
whorl),
2) _______________________________________, and
3) ____________________________ patterns (#2 and #3 can both be used to
_____________________________________ a print).
The Science of Ridges
 ______________________________: The study of the uniqueness of
____________________ ridge structures and their use for personal identification.
 As we have learned in our first lesson, 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 ____________________________, which are
points where the ridge structure changes.
Did You Know? The _______________________________is one of the few mammals (other
than primates) that has fingerprints. In fact, ____________________fingerprints are
remarkably similar to human fingerprints; even with an
______________________________________________, it can be quite difficult to distinguish
between the two.
The Galton Details
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The ridges of friction skin are __________________________, but rather, contain numerous
interruptions – the ___________________________________.
These details are more commonly called "___________________________________" or
"____________________________________" and consist of three basic types:
1)_________________________________
2)_________________________________ (a ridge that divides)
3)_________________________________(or islands)
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These "_____________________________" or "points" are randomly scattered during
friction ridge skin formation and their position, like all components of friction ridge skin, are
___________________________________ from one individual to the next or from one
finger to the next.
Though a ______________________________________ minimum number of points are
________________________ in order to make an identification, the
_________________________________ are usually ___________________________when
an identification is made.
Fingerprint Identification
 When minutiae on two different prints match, these are called points of
_________________ or points of ______________________. At this point there is
__________international standard for the number of points of identification required
for a match between two fingerprints. However, the United Kingdom requires a
minimum _________________points while Australia requires ___________________.
 AFIS (_______________________________________________) is a computerized
system capable of reading, classifying, matching, and storing fingerprints for criminal
justice agencies. Quality __________________________________________ are entered
into the AFIS for a search for possible matches against the state maintained databases
for fingerprint records to help establish the ____________________ of unknown
deceased persons or suspects in a criminal case.
Galton Details & Ridge Characteristics
Identifying Ridge Characteristics
Balloon Prints
Which ridge structures were most common in your fingerprints?
Which ridge structures were most common in your group?
Were there any structures that were not found in any of the fingerprints?