THE FINGERPRINT SOURCEBOOK - Crime Scene Investigator

422 Pages·2011·17.33 MB·English

U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
National Institute of Justice
U.S. Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street N.W.
Washington, DC 20531
Eric H. Holder, Jr.
Attorney General
Laurie O. Robinson
Assistant Attorney General
John H. Laub
Director, National Institute of Justice
This and other publications and products of the National Institute
of Justice can be found at:
National Institute of Justice
www.nij.gov
Office of Justice Programs
Innovation • Partnerships • Safer Neighborhoods
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CONTENTS
iii Preface
1–1 Chapter 1: History
2–1 Chapter 2: Anatomy and Physiology of Adult Friction Ridge Skin
3–1 Chapter 3: Embryology and Morphology of Friction Ridge Skin
4–1 Chapter 4: Recording Living and Postmortem Friction Ridge Exemplars
5–1 Chapter 5: Systems of Friction Ridge Classification
6–1 Chapter 6: Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)
7–1 Chapter 7: Latent Print Development
iii
CONTENTS
8–1 Chapter 8: The Preservation of Friction Ridges
9–1 Chapter 9: Examination Process
Chapter 10: Documentation of Friction Ridge Impressions:
10-1
From the Scene to the Conclusion
11-1 Chapter 11: Equipment
12-1 Chapter 12: Quality Assurance
13-1 Chapter 13: Fingerprints and the Law
Chapter 14: Scientific Research Supporting the Foundations of
14–1
Friction Ridge Examinations
15–1 Chapter 15: Special Abilities and Vulnerabilities in Forensic Expertise
A–1 Appendix A: Author and Reviewer Biographies
Appendix B: The Origin of the Scientific Working Group on Friction
B–1
Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST)
C–1 Appendix C: Members of SWGFAST
Appendix D: SWGFAST Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge
D–1
Examination, Ver. 3.0
iv
PREFACE
The idea of The Fingerprint Sourcebook originated active members of SWGFAST, participation in the
during a meeting in April 2002. Individuals repre- project was not restricted to SWGFAST members.
senting the fingerprint, academic, and scientific
NIJ provided grant funding to the WVU Forensic
communities met in Chicago, Illinois, for a day and
Science Initiative to support the project and a call
a half to discuss the state of fingerprint identifica-
for authors and reviewers was extended through-
tion with a view toward the challenges raised by
out the forensic community. The prospective
Daubert issues. The meeting was a joint project
authors were asked to prepare a detailed outline
between the International Association for Identi-
and an introduction (approximately 250 to 750
fication (IAI) and West Virginia University (WVU).
words) for each chapter that they hoped to write.
One recommendation that came out of that meet-
They were also asked to provide a curriculum
ing was a suggestion to create a sourcebook for
vitae. Two or more individuals volunteered for most
friction ridge examiners, that is, a single source
chapters and some chapters had as many as seven
of researched information regarding the subject.
volunteers. Reviewers critiqued the introductions
This sourcebook would provide educational, train-
and outlines for the various chapters, and Frank
ing, and research information for the international
Fitzpatrick and I made the final selection of chapter
scientific community.
authors. Multiple reviewers for each chapter par-
The Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge ticipated and are listed at the end of each chapter.
Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) The curricula vitae for all of the authors and most
prepared an outline of the subjects that should reviewers are included in the appendix.
be included in the sourcebook. Charles Illsley, a
After the selection of authors was made and the
SWGFAST member, prepared a grant proposal for
chapters were assigned to the various authors and
submission to the National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
coauthors, the chapters were written and mul-
for funding of the project, with Frank Fitzpatrick as
tiple rounds of author revisions and review were
the project director and Alan and Debbie McRob-
completed. The chapters were then edited and re-
erts as the sourcebook editors. Although many
viewed again. The chapters were then submitted to
participants in the project were, and some remain,
iii
PREFACE
NIJ, where additional review and editing occurred. During providing fingerprint training is well known. However, with
the NIJ edit and review process, Chapter 15 (Special Abili- the creation of SWGFAST in 1995, the FBI showed great
ties and Vulnerabilities in Forensic Expertise) was added to leadership in providing a mechanism to promote consen-
the project because of contemporary importance placed on sus standards within our diverse forensic community. A
that research. Those NIJ employees—and contractors, in brief sketch about the origin of SWGFAST and a list of the
particular Danielle Weiss and David Fialkoff—who partici- past and current members of SWGFAST are included in the
pated in reviewing, editing, and finalizing this book should appendix.
be congratulated for their efforts in bringing this project to
In the history of fingerprints, no previous effort of this
completion.
magnitude has been made to assemble as much reviewed
For those of us who have worked in the field of fingerprint information into a single source. I would like to extend my
identification during the last 50 years, the influence of appreciation and the appreciation of future readers to all
the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI’s) leadership in those authors and reviewers who contributed so much
time and effort to make this book a reality.
Alan McRoberts,
Editor
iv
C H A P T E R
HISTORY

Jeffery G. Barnes
C O N T E N T S
3 1.1 Introduction 11 1.6 20th Century
3 1.2 Ancient History 17 1.7 Conclusion
4 1.3 221 B.C. to A.D. 1637 17 1.8 Reviewers
5 1.4 17th and 18th Centuries 17 1.9 References
6 1.5 19th Century 18 1.10 Additional Information
1–5

History CHAPTER 1
CHAPTER 1
HISTORY 1.1 Introduction
The long story of that inescapable mark of identity has
Jeffery G. Barnes been told and retold for many years and in many ways. On
the palm side of each person’s hands and on the soles of
each person’s feet are prominent skin features that single
him or her out from everyone else in the world. These fea-
tures are present in friction ridge skin which leaves behind
impressions of its shapes when it comes into contact with
an object. The impressions from the last finger joints are
known as fingerprints. Using fingerprints to identify indi-
viduals has become commonplace, and that identification
role is an invaluable tool worldwide.
What some people do not know is that the use of friction
ridge skin impressions as a means of identification has
been around for thousands of years and has been used in
several cultures. Friction ridge skin impressions were
used as proof of a person’s identity in China perhaps as
early as 300 B.C., in Japan as early as A.D. 702, and in
the United States since 1902.
1.2 Ancient History
Earthenware estimated to be 6000 years old was discov-
ered at an archaeological site in northwest China and found
to bear clearly discernible friction ridge impressions. These
prints are considered the oldest friction ridge skin im-
pressions found to date; however, it is unknown whether
they were deposited by accident or with specific intent,
such as to create decorative patterns or symbols (Xiang-Xin
and Chun-Ge, 1988, p 277). In this same Neolithic period,
friction ridges were being left in other ancient materials
by builders (Ashbaugh, 1999, pp 12–13). Just as someone
today might leave impressions in cement, early builders
left impressions in the clay used to make bricks (Berry and
Stoney, 2001, pp 8–9).
1–7
CHAPTER 1 History
Other ancient artifacts have been found that have ridge form of a stamp, and on the other side would be impressed
patterns on them that were clearly carved rather than left the fingerprint of the author. The seal was used to show
as accidental impressions. Examples of ancient artifacts authorship and to prevent tampering prior to the document
displaying what might be considered friction ridge designs reaching the intended reader. It is generally recognized
include megalithic artworks in the tomb of Gavr’inis on an that it was both the fingerprint and the name that gave the
island just off the west coast of France and in the tomb at document authenticity.
Newgrange on the coast of Ireland (Figure 1–1).
The fingerprint impressed into the clay seal is a definite
example of intentional friction ridge skin reproduction as
1.3 221 B.C. to A.D. 1637 a means of individualization. It is clear that the Chinese
understood the value of friction ridge skin prior to the
The Chinese were the first culture known to have used Christian era (Laufer, 1912, p 649).
friction ridge impressions as a means of identification.
After the invention of paper by the Chinese in A.D. 105, it
The earliest example comes from a Chinese document en-
became common to sign documents using friction ridge
titled “The Volume of Crime Scene Investigation—Burglary”,
skin. It was standard practice in China to place an impres-
from the Qin Dynasty (221 to 206 B.C.). The document con-
sion—either palmprints, phalangeal (lower finger joint)
tains a description of how handprints were used as a type
marks, or fingerprints—on all contract-type documents
of evidence (Xiang-Xin and Chun-Ge, 1988, p 283).
(Xiang-Xin and Chun-Ge, 1988, pp 282–284). In A.D. 650,
During the Qin through Eastern Han dynasties (221 B.C. the Chinese historian Kia Kung-Yen described a previously
to 220 A.D.), the most prevalent example of individualiza- used means of identification, writing, “Wooden tablets
tion using friction ridges was the clay seal. Documents were inscribed with the terms of the contract and notches
consisting of bamboo slips or pages were rolled with string were cut into the sides at the identical places so that the
bindings, and the strings were sealed with clay (Xiang-Xin tablets could later be matched, thus proving them genuine;
and Chun-Ge, 1988, pp 277–278). On one side of the seal the significance of the notches was the same as that of the
would be impressed the name of the author, usually in the fingerprints of the present time” (Ashbaugh, 1999, p 17).
FIGURE 1–1
One of the stones
of Newgrange
(Courtesy of
http://www.ancient-wisdom.co.uk.)
1–8