Fingerprint Classification Chapter 33

Questions and Answers

The basic elements of the Henry System of fingerprint classification are the:

Ridges (correct)

Type lines

Pattern areas

Bifurcations

A line that splits into two and each one continues separately is called an:

Spur or hook

Fork or bifurcation (correct)

Ending ridge

Inclosure or island

A ridge line that splits into two and then rejoins forming an enclosed pocket is called a(n):

Ending ridge

Spur or hook

Inclosure or island (correct)

Fork or bifurcation

A ridge line that stops is called a(n):

Ending ridge Signup and view all the answers

A ridge line of minute length is called a(n):

Dot Signup and view all the answers

A _____ is a ridge line that connects one ridge to another.

Bridge Signup and view all the answers

A ridge line that divides into three is called a:

Trifurcation Signup and view all the answers

That part of the fingerprint that contains the ridges necessary to determine the classification is called the:

Pattern area Signup and view all the answers

The innermost ridges which start as parallel lines, diverge, and bound the pattern area are called the:

Type lines Signup and view all the answers

The imaginary point at which the type lines diverge is called the:

Center of divergence Signup and view all the answers

The first fork or bifurcation nearest the center of divergence is called the:

Delta Signup and view all the answers

The _____ is the approximate center of the pattern located on or within the innermost looping ridge.

Core Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are basic fingerprint groups except:

Accidentals Signup and view all the answers

A(n) _____ is a series of ridges that enter from one side of the pattern and flow without interruption to the other side with a slight rise in the center.

Plain arch Signup and view all the answers

A(n) ____ is a series of ridges that flow from one side of the pattern to the other with a sharp rise in the center.

Tented arch Signup and view all the answers

A(n) _____ is formed by one or more ridges entering one side of the pattern, curving around the core, and terminating on the same side at which they entered.

Loop Signup and view all the answers

In a(n) ____ loop, the ridges flow in the direction of the thumb of the hand.

Radial Signup and view all the answers

In a(n) ____ loop, the ridges flow in the direction of the little finger of the hand.

Ulnar Signup and view all the answers

In order to classify loops according to the direction of the flow of ridges, it is necessary to know:

Which hand the impression came from Signup and view all the answers

A(n) _____ is a pattern in which one or more ridges revolve around the core.

Whorl Signup and view all the answers

All whorls have two or more:

Deltas Signup and view all the answers

A ______, which resembles an ordinary loop, has a ridge which forms a circular pocket in the center of the pattern.

Central pocket loop Signup and view all the answers

A(n) ____ consists of two separate but not necessarily unconnected loop formations.

Double loop Signup and view all the answers

The FBI no longer distinguishes between twinned loops and lateral pocket loops. Both forms are considered part of a single classification, the:

Double loop Signup and view all the answers

The ____ derives its name from the unusual formation of the ridge pattern which does not conform to any of the rules that apply to the other patterns.

Accidental Signup and view all the answers

Marking the pattern symbol below each pattern on a fingerprint card is called:

Blocking out Signup and view all the answers

A slanted line in the direction of the pattern is the symbol for a:

Ulnar loop Signup and view all the answers

In blocking out, the appropriate capital letter is placed under ____ for all patterns except the ulnar loop.

The index finger Signup and view all the answers

In blocking out, the appropriate small letter is placed under ____ for all patterns except the ulnar loop.

All the fingers except the index Signup and view all the answers

The classification of _____ depends largely on ridge counting.

Loops and whorls Signup and view all the answers

In classifying _____, the ridge count is the number of ridges counted on an imaginary straight line drawn from the delta to the core.

Loops Signup and view all the answers

In classifying _, a ridge count is made between a tracing line connecting the two deltas and the right delta. Depending on the position of the ridges in relation to the delta and the number of ridges counted will determine if the _ are inner, meeting, or outer.

Whorls Signup and view all the answers

In determining the _____ classification, numerical values are assigned to each finger which is counted only when the finger is a whorl.

Primary Signup and view all the answers

The _____ classification is the assignment of letters to the fingers. It takes the form of a fraction with the letters representing the right hand as the numerator and the letters representing the left hand as the denominator.

Secondary Signup and view all the answers

In a ______ classification, only loops and whorls on the three middle fingers are considered and are classified by ridge counting.

Sub-secondary Signup and view all the answers

The ___ classification is a number indicating a ridge count on the little finger.

Final Signup and view all the answers

In the National Crime Information Center's fingerprint classification (NCIC FPC) system, each finger is represented by ______ characters.

Two Signup and view all the answers

An automated fingerprint identification system (AFIS) consists of two technological instruments: (1) a scanning machine which translates the images of a fingerprint into a _____; and (2) a computer.

Numerical code Signup and view all the answers

Minutiae are the points at which ____ lines end or split.

Ridge Signup and view all the answers

The AFIS scanning machine will record all of the following information concerning the minutiae of a fingerprint except:

The pattern group of which it is a part such as arches, loops, or whorls Signup and view all the answers

The AFIS scanning machine has the ability to process up to 100 minutiae for each fingerprint, although it can make an identification using as little as ____ minutiae.

8 Signup and view all the answers

The AFIS computer compares the numerical code of the 'questioned' print with the _____ of the 'known' prints on file.

Numerical codes Signup and view all the answers

At the end of an AFIS search, the computer will list and rank, in probable order, the _____ most closely resembles the 'questioned' print.

Names of the persons whose fingerprints Signup and view all the answers

In an AFIS search, ______ will make a decision on a possible match.

A technician Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Henry System of Fingerprint Classification

Basic elements include ridges, pattern areas, type lines, and bifurcations; ridges are fundamental.
Ridges that split into two and continue separately are termed forks or bifurcations.

Ridge Line Structures

An inclosure or island forms when a ridge splits and re-joins, creating an enclosed pocket.
An ending ridge is defined as a ridge line that stops; a dot is a short ridge line.
A bridge connects two ridges; trifurcation divides into three.

Key Fingerprint Features

The pattern area contains ridges necessary for classification.
Type lines are the innermost ridges that bound the pattern area and start as parallel lines.
The delta is the first bifurcation nearest the center of divergence in a fingerprint.

Fingerprint Patterns

Basic fingerprint groups include arches, loops, and whorls; accidentals do not qualify as basic groups.
A plain arch has ridges that flow uninterrupted from one side to another; a tented arch has a sharp rise in the center.
Loops are formed by ridges entering on one side, curving, and exiting on the same side; ulnar loops flow towards the little finger, radial loops towards the thumb.

Classification and Ridge Counting

To classify loops, knowledge of which hand the impression comes from is essential.
Whorls are characterized by ridges that revolve around a core and contain two or more deltas.
Classification involves determining ridge counts for loops and whorls by drawing lines between deltas and cores.

Fingerprint Classifications

Primary classification assigns numerical values to fingerprints with only whorls counted.
Secondary classification involves letters assigned to fingers, analogous to a fraction where the right hand is the numerator and the left is the denominator.
Sub-secondary classification considers only loops and whorls on the middle fingers.

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS)

AFIS includes a scanning machine converting fingerprints to numerical codes, processed by a computer.
Minutiae are critical; they mark where ridge lines end or split.
AFIS can identify prints using as few as 8 minutiae, though it processes up to 100 per fingerprint.

AFIS Search Process

The system compares the questioned print's numerical code with known fingerprints in the database.
At the end of the process, an AFIS search lists individuals most resembling the questioned print; a technician ultimately decides on potential matches.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the Henry System of fingerprint classification with these flashcards. Explore key concepts such as ridges, bifurcations, and pattern areas that are essential for understanding fingerprint analysis.