Fingerprint Identification and Studies

William Herschel, an English official in India, is widely recognized for pioneering the use of fingerprints for identification purposes. He used them to prevent fraudulent payments to soldiers in the late 19th century.

Divergence refers to two ridges that run parallel and then separate. This feature cannot be used as a typeline, as it does not represent a clear and consistent point of reference within the fingerprint.

The principle of individuality in fingerprints postulates that each person possesses unique fingerprints. No two individuals, even identical twins, have the same fingerprint patterns.

When there is a definite break in the type line, the ridge immediately outside the gap is considered its continuation. This ridge serves as a reference point for identifying the flow of the pattern within the fingerprint.

A recurved ridge is a ridge that rises at least 45 degrees from the horizontal plane and ends in a point of high curvature. This is different from a 'sufficiently recurved' ridge, which refers to a ridge with a curvature of 45 degrees or more that reaches a specific length.

The 'People vs. Jennings' case in 1911 was a landmark case in the US. It set a precedent for using fingerprint evidence in criminal convictions. This was the first instance where a criminal conviction was solely based on fingerprint evidence in the state of Illinois.

The 'People vs. Medina' case is considered a crucial and pioneering decision in Philippine law. It established the validity and reliability of fingerprint evidence in the Philippine legal system.

Anthropometry was a system of identification that used measurements of various human body structures, mainly bones, for identification purposes. It was used before the fingerprint system.

A short ridge at the top of a recurving ridge, often at a right angle, that prevents the ridge from being considered a full recurve.

The unique characteristic of fingerprints, where no two individuals have the same pattern.

The principle that fingerprints remain the same throughout an individual's life.

The person who discovered and published the uniqueness of fingerprints in his treatise "De Externo Tactus Organo Anatomica Observatio".

The process of classifying and identifying fingerprints.

The person who was instrumental in pioneering fingerprint identification in Argentina.

The principle that fingerprints are reliable and accurate for identification.

The person who was famously known as 'Snake Eyes' and tried to remove his fingerprints.

A ridge pattern in a fingerprint that resembles a railway track, formed by two ridges diverging from a single point.

In fingerprint analysis, a plain or central pocket loop is classified as a "dash" for the purpose of final classification.

Fingerprint uniqueness lies in the principle that no two individuals have identical fingerprints, making them a powerful personal identifier.

The thumb is rolled towards the body, while all other fingers are rolled away from the body.

An ejector mark is a mark left on a cartridge case by the ejector mechanism as it forcefully throws the spent casing out of the firearm.

Translational motion refers to the forward movement of a bullet out of a shell propelled by the force of expanding gases from exploding powder.

Forensic ballistics is the scientific study of projectile motion, specifically focusing on firearm identification based on the ammunition used.

The study of the motion of projectiles related to law and firearm identification is called ballistics.

A type of bloodstain pattern that occurs when blood is projected from a source, often in a spatter, gush, splash, or arterial spurt.

A wound that is so severe that it would likely cause death.

A condition that occurs after death, where the blood settles to the lowest point in the body, causing a discoloration of the skin.

The most common cause of gunshot wound of entrance.

The ratio of the diameter of the medulla to the diameter of the entire hair shaft.

The process of identifying the source of bloodstains by analyzing their characteristics.

The spurting of blood from a severed artery, often forming an arcing pattern.

A forensic method of identification that uses the unique characteristics of teeth.

A sensitive compound used in firearms that ignites when struck by the firing pin, causing the gunpowder to explode.

A shotgun bore that has a uniform diameter along its length, unlike a choke bored gun that narrows towards the muzzle.

The groove at the mouth of a shell that holds the bullet in place and prevents it from being pulled out. It also helps with consistent burning of the gunpowder.

The resistance the bullet encounters as it travels through the air, causing a slight drop in its trajectory.

The case that holds the primer, gunpowder, and bullet together.

The curved path a bullet takes from the moment it leaves the barrel to the moment it hits the target.

A mark left on the cartridge case by the firing pin, often found near the center of the primer cup.

Colonel Calvin H. Goddard is considered the father of modern ballistics.

The act of restoring erased or removed writing, often done to uncover hidden or deleted information.

A distinguishing characteristic that sets a forged writing apart from the genuine one, often found in starting, ending strokes, or embellishments.

A coin made from a different metal than the genuine version, intended to deceive as authentic currency.

The act of removing metal from a coin to reduce its weight and value, with the intention of profiting from the extracted metal.

The possessing of false or counterfeit money with the intent to use it for fraudulent purposes.

A written statement that serves as proof, evidence, or a record of a right or obligation.

A type of falsification where the act causes harm or intended harm to a third party.

A type of falsification that is focused on undermining public trust. It involves the intentional alteration of a document to mislead and deceive.