Personal Identification Methods

Personal Identification

• Anthropometry is personal identification through body measurement.
• Chiroscopy is the science of palm print identification.
• Dactylography is the scientific study of fingerprints as a means of identification.
• Dactylomancy is the study of fingerprints for interpreting one's personality.
• Dactyloscopy refers to the practical application of fingerprints.
• Dermatoglyphics is the study of the lines, tracings, and ridges of the skin of fingers, palms, and hands.
• Edgeoscopy is the study of the edges of the ridges.
• A fingerprint is an impression designed by the ridges on the inside of the end joint of the fingers.
• Fingerprinting is a method of identification using the impression.
• Friction skin is epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and feet.
• Polydactylism is the appearance of extra fingers.
• Podoscopy is the science of footprints identification.
• Poroscopy is the study of the pore structure found on the friction ridge of the skin.
• Ridgeology is the study of poroscopy, edgeoscopy, and ridge characteristics.
• Apostle Paul used his fingerprint impressions as his signature.
• The Chinese were the first users of fingerprints, called "HUA CHI" or "EMPEROR TE IN SHI".
• In Holland, identification involved wearing clothes of different designs, tattooing, branding, and mutilation.

Historical Fingerprinting

• In Old Mexico, the Aztecs used soft clays to make idols with their handprints.
• The Toldecs stamped their hands on death warrants.
• The French used paintings and rock carvings for identification.
• Babylonia used fingerprints for identification and making arrests.
• Japan used thumbprints as a signature.
• Gilbert Thompson used thumbprints to prevent tampering of pay orders.
• Isaiah West Taber registered Chinese immigrants.
• Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) informally introduced dactyloscopy in his books.
• Dr. Henry De Forest advocated for municipal civil use of fingerprints.
• Capt. James Park was the first to use fingerprints for penal purposes.
• Carpeta refers to penitential records.
• Sgt. John Kenneth Ferrer was the first instructor at the St. Louis Police Academy.
• Maj. R. McLoughry was involved with a fingerprint bureau.
• Mary K. Holland was the first instructress of fingerprinting.
• The Institute of Applied Sciences (IAS) was the first school for fingerprinting.
• People vs. Jennings (December 21, 1911) was the first conviction based on fingerprint evidence.
• Lt. Asa Darby was involved with fingerprinting in the Philippine Commonwealth.
• Generoso Reyes was the first Filipino fingerprint technician.
• Isabela Bernales was the first Filipina fingerprint technician.
• Mr. Jones taught fingerprinting in the Philippine Constabulary.
• Atty. Augustin Patricio topped the first fingerprint examination in the Philippines.
• People vs. Medina (December 20, 1933) was the first conviction based on fingerprint evidence in the Philippines.
• The Philippine College of Criminology (PCCR) was formerly the Plaridel Educational Institute.
• Marcelo Malphigi is considered the "Grandfather of Fingerprints."

Fingerprint Principles

• The Principle of Individuality states that no two people have exactly the same fingerprint.
• J.C. Mayer supported the principle of individuality
• Prof. J.E. Purkenjie identified 9 types of fingerprint patterns.
• The Principle of Permanency states that fingerprints remain unchanged throughout life.
• Herman Welcker studied his sons' fingerprints for 41 years and observed they didn't change.
• Sir Francis Galton studied 3 families of fingerprints.
• Juan Vicetich created a classification system understood by Spanish-speaking countries.
• Edmund Locard is known as the "Father of Poroscopy."
• Sir Edward Richard Henry is recognized as the "Father of Fingerprint."

Fingerprint Components and Destruction

• The Bertillion system involves skeletal measurements (51 measurements) for identification.
• Friction skin is epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and feet.
• Ridges are tiny elevations found on the epidermis.
• Furrows are canal-like impressions or depressions between the ridges.
• Sweat pores are small openings found across the ridge surface.
• Sweat ducts are long, hose-like structures that serve as passageways for sweat.
• Sweat glands produce sweat.
• Manual labor involving substances like lime or cement can damage fingerprints.
• Skin diseases may cause temporary destruction of fingerprints.
• Warts are fibrous growths that may affect fingerprint appearance.
• Burns can leave scars that change the appearance of the skin.
• Scars may appear as thin white lines within the ridges.
• Infallibility refers to the admissibility of fingerprint evidence by expert testimony.

Importance of Fingerprints

• Fingerprints identify suspects in investigations.
• Fingerprints provide identity for unidentified deceased individuals.
• Fingerprints detect criminal identities at scenes and determine recidivism.
• Fingerprints verify or confirm public documents.
• Fingerprints are used as records in police departments to issue clearances.
• Modern technology uses fingerprints for security in vaults and confidential areas.
• Fingerprints check or verify entry of authorized personnel.
• John Dillinger tried to remove his fingerprints with acid but failed.
• Roscoe James Pitts was a man without fingerprints.

Fingerprint Families

• Dactyloscopy is the practical application of fingerprints.
• Dactylography is the scientific study of fingerprints as a means of identification.
• Arch patterns make up 5% of fingerprints.
• Loop patterns make up 60% of fingerprints.
• Whorl patterns make up 35% of fingerprints.
• Plain Arch: ridges flow from one side to the other without recurring.
• Tented Arch: one or more ridges at the center form an up thrust, resembling a tent.
• Loop: one or more ridges enter on either side, turn, and recurve.
• Radial Bone: forearm bone runs to the wrist on the thumb side.
• Ulna Bone: forearm bone runs to the wrist on the little finger side.
• Radial Loop: ridges run towards the direction of the thumb.
• Ulnar Loop: ridges run towards the direction of the little finger.
• Whorl patterns consist of a core, delta, and one or more ridges forming a complete circuit.