Module 1, Lesson 1

INTRODUCTION

Establishing the identity of the suspect or victim is one of

the most important purposes of physical evidence. The
most positive means of identifying people is through
fingerprints. Fingerprints form on a person before birth
and remain unchanged throughout life. With few
exceptions, everyone has fingerprints. In this lesson, the
term fingerprint includes all types of prints, including
finger, palm, toe and sole of the foot, Locating and
preserving fingerprints is one of the most important
responsibilities of a crime scene specialist when processing
a crime scene.

One of the most valuable clues at the scene of a crime is fingerprint.

FINGERPRINTS - are markings that are left on a surface by a human hand and have the same markings as
the skin of the fingers. Skin and ridge patterns are unique to each person. Unless their hands are
covered with gloves or some other form of protection while committing a crime, criminals cannot avoid
leaving clues in the form of fingerprints.

FINGERPRINT

As a Science deals in the identification of person by means of the ridges

appearing on the fingers, palms, soles and toes of the feet.

DACTYLOSCOPY

Is the science that deals with the examination, identification and comparison
of fingerprints.

WHAT IS FINGERPRINT SYSTEM?

The fingerprint system is an arrangement which, in order to effectively utilize fingerprints in the
criminal investigation, provides for their systematic collection, classification, arrangement, custody and
use.
The fingerprint system includes two sub-systems. One is the Ten Fingerprint system whose basic
material is ten fingerprints of the suspect, and another is the Single Fingerprint System whose basic
material is fingerprint of suspects collected individually. The main purpose of the ten-fingerprint system
is to confirm the identity and the criminal history of an arrested suspect.

QUESTION? Can you force a person to be fingerprinted?

YES! As long as the person is under legal arrest he can be forced to be

fingerprinted. A person under arrest who refuses to be fingerprinted may be
prosecuted by disobedience to the agent of the person in authority, defined
in, and penalized under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (RPC)

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AUTHORITY is vested in the Opinion No. 204 series-1939 by the former Secretary of Justice JOSE ABAD
SANTOS.

“SCIENCE OF FINGERPRINTS”

 is the most positive means of personal identification. It has been found out that the intricate
pattern on the fingers are permanent, individual and never undergo a natural change, except in
the size of the pattern during the life time of individual.

 Friction skin patterns/designs/ formations appear on the finger tips, palms of the hands and soles
of the feet five (5) months before birth this remained unchanged during the life of individual until
decomposition sets in after DEATH.

 FINGERPRINTS offer an INFALLIBLE (unerring) means of personal identification. This is an

essential explanation for their having supplanted other methods of establishing identity of
criminals reluctant to admit previous arrests. Other personal characteristics change but
fingerprints do not.

DEFINITION OF FINGERPRINTS

• As an IMPRESSION:

It is the reproduction of on some smooth surfaces of the pattern or design formed by the ridges
on the inside of the end joint of the fingers or thumb, through the medium of ink or any coloring
substance capable of producing visibility.

• As a SCIENCE:

It is the identification of person by means of the ridges appearing on the fingers, on the palms
and on the soles of the feet.

LATENT PRINTS

- Fingerprints found at the crime scene are known as chance impressions or latent prints. Latent means
something hidden or concealed.

DEFINITION OF LATENT PRINTS:

- are those markings usually rather indistinct, left by the oily matters or perspiration exuded from the
finger tips or palms upon any substances which the fingers/ palms may have touched. FOOT PRINT is
also included.

LATENT PRINTS

Latent comes from Latin word meaning “to lie hidden, to be concealed”.

In order to make the fingerprints visible, it is necessary to develop the prints.

WHAT CAUSES THE MARKINGS?

1. Ridges

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2. The sweat of perspiration

WHAT IS THE COMPOSITION OF THE SWEAT?

98.5% to 99.5% water

.5% to 1.5% solid matter = 1/3 salt, 2/3 urea, volatile fatty acids, albumin acid, etc.

TYPES OF LATENT PRINTS:

Invisible latent prints- are latent prints whose markings are caused by the sweat that left on the surface
whenever our fingers touch on object.

Visible latent prints- are latent prints which are left on the surface when our fingers are smeared with
any colored substances such as wet paint or blood, oil or dust.

Semi-visible latent prints- are latent prints which are marked on the surface whenever our fingers touch
soft object like wax or candle. These latent prints are known as plastic or mold prints and also known as
three dimensional prints because it has length, width and depth.

STATE THE VALUE OF FINGERPRINTS

It has been said, that fingerprint is the cornerstone of criminal investigation and identification.
The system is based on the disputed fact after so many studies and research that “NO TWO PERSONS
HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME FINGERPRINTS IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS”. Fingerprints are
positive proof, wherein law enforcement and public safety agencies look upon this science as their main
evidence of positive personal identification.

Fingerprint is the one of the most infallible or reliable means of personal identification in view of the
following reasons:
1. The characteristics of fingerprints which are formed by collection of curved, straight, long,
and other various friction ridges never change naturally as the above age.
2. Fingerprints are unique throughout the world and permanent throughout life.
3. Police agencies throughout the world accept, adopt and utilize the fingerprint system as a
means of absolute identification.
4. No two individual persons have exactly the same fingerprint patterns in their individual
characteristics.
5. The courts and other authorities since time immemorial take cognizance of its importance
and reliability as a means of identification.
By applying this features, fingerprints are indeed valuable in the following aspects:
1. Criminal investigation
2. Providing suspect’s identity and criminal record
3. Providing unidentified dead person’s identity

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 4. Deducing as criminal’s identity throughout fingerprints collected at the scene of the crime;
and
5. Finding wanted and missing person.

PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINTS

1) INDIVIDUALITY:

That the complex of the ridge details in a single fingerprints or even part one is not
duplicated in any other finger.

2) PERMANENCY:

That fingerprints do not change in its ridge characteristics of fingerprint pattern through
out or life time of an individual and they persist after DEATH until the skin is decomposed.

3) INFALLIBILITY:

That fingerprint is absolute and cannot be forged.

IMPORTANCE OR VALUE OF FINGERPRINTS?

 Prevent impersonation (changing personal data)

 Speedy identification of wrongdoer (falsification, forgery)

 Serve to give evidence (identification of criminals)

 Helps to identify victims of disasters, calamities, floods, etc.

 Identifies bodies whose cadaver are beyond recognition.

 Aids judiciary in penal treatment (fingerprinting of prisoners)

 Prevent criminal substitution of the newly born.

Factors That Provide Admissibility for the Identification of Fingerprints:

General Pattern Agreement - the interpretation of the eight types of fingerprint pattern.

Quantitative Concordance - there must be same kind, same relative

position, location of ridge detail appearing in both questioned and standard fingerprints.

Quantitative Factors - there must be same kind, same relative position, location of ridge detail
appearing in both questioned and standard fingerprints.

Ridge Relationship - the number of intervening ridge detail from one point to another.

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POINTERS TO GIVE FINGERPRINTS EVIDENCE PROBATIVE VALUE

1. Is the latent print really lifted from the crime scene of a particular crime in

questioned?

(Sketch, photograph and witnesses)

2. Is the latent print really left at the crime scene by the suspect during the

commission of the crime?

3. Is there any evidence to the contrary?

(Suspect’s right of access to the place)

4. Is there any possibility of tampering or substitution of the lifted latent

prints from the time of lifting to the time of examination?

(Proper markings and chain of custody)

5. Is the standard fingerprints really taken from the suspect? Or is there any

doubt in the authenticity of the standard fingerprints?

(Signature of the suspect and the technician on the standard prints)

CAN FINGERPRINTS BE FORGED?

There is a considerable controversy regarding the possibility of forging fingerprints, making a simulated
impression or a perfect replica of the fingers. Various experiments were conducted by authorities and
although they could almost make an accurate reproduction, still there are no records that forgery has
been a complete success. The introduction of modern scientific equipment and new technique in crime
detection is always foiling the attempt.
LOCARD and WITKOWSJI of Lyons, who performed rather painful experiments of themselves by
burning their fingertips with boiling water, hot oil, and hot metals, had shown that after the healing of
the epidermis (outer skin), the original patterns of fingerprints reappear.
JOHN DILINGER, notorious gang leader and police character attempted to eradicate his
fingerprints by burning them with acid, but as time went by, the ridges were store to its natural feature.
The acid temporarily destroyed the epidermis (outer skin) of the bulbs of his finger.
As long as the dermis (inner skin) of the bulb of the finger is not completely destroyed, the finger will
always remain unchanged.

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Module 1, Lesson 2
TERMINOLOGIES USE IN THE STUDY OF DACTYLOSCOPY
1. ACCIDENTAL WHORL (X)
 A combination of two or more different types of fingerprint pattern such as loop and whorl.
2. AN EXPERT
 A person who has a special and competent knowledge of a subject, and who obtained this
knowledge either through study or through experience.
3. APPENDAGE
 A short ridge at the top or summit. Juan Vucetich developed his own system of classification.
This was officially adopted in Argentina and is used today in most Spanish speaking countries in
South Africa in 1888.
 That destroys the continues flow of the ridges.
4. BIFURCATION
 A single ridge which splits into two ridges, forming a “Y” shape structure. It is referred to us
FORK.
5. BLOCKING OUT
 The placing of the fingerprint card the result of the interpretation of all ten patterns, by letters,
numbers, or symbols requires for each of the rolled prints.
6. CENTRAL POCKET LOOP WHORL (C)
 Is a fingerprint pattern which possesses two deltas, but when you draw an imaginary line from
left delta to the right delta it Does Not Touch the inner circuiting of the ridges.
7. CLASSIFICATION
 Refers to the formula derived for a complete set of ten fingerprint patterns, or the arrangement
of the fingerprint records into groups or sub-groups for filing purposes.
8. CONVERGING RIDGE
 Is a ridge whose close end is angular and serves as a point of convergence pointed or abrupt.
9. CORE (Inner terminus, heart of the fingerprint pattern, or approximate center)
 Is a point or ridge formation usually located at the center of the pattern.
10. DELTA (outer terminus)
 Is a point or first ridge formation at or directly in front or near the center of the divergence.
11. DIVERGING RIDGE

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  Are two ridges running side by side and suddenly separating one ridge going one way and the
other ridge on another way.
12. DOUBLE LOOP (D)
 Is a pattern consisting two separate and distinct loop formation, two sets of shoulders and two
deltas the loop do not have of the same size.
13. ENCLOSURE (Island)
 Is a bifurcation which does not remain open but which the legs of the bifurcation, after running
along side by side for a short distance come together again to form a single ridge once more.
14. FILING
 Refers to the operation of locating the proper place in the fingerprint file where a certain set of
prints belongs and depositing it there.
15. FINGERPRINT
 The reproduction of some smooth surface of the pattern formed by the ridge on the inside of
the tip of the first end joint of the thumb or fingers.
16. FURROWS
 A depressions or canals between two ridges.
17. INNER WHORL
 Is one in which the tracing passes inside or above the right delta with 3 or more intervening
ridges.
18. LATENT PRINTS (hidden prints or cancelled prints)
 Fingerprints found at the crime scene.
19. LOOP
 a pattern in which one or more of the ridges flows upward and turn back to the point where it
came from.
20. MEETING WHORL
 Is one in which the tracing passes either inside or outside with only 1 or 2 intervening ridges or
the tracing directly meets the right delta.
21. NON-NUMERICAL PATTERNS
 In making up the primary classification, these patterns which are not given numerical values.
22. NUMERICAL PATTERNS
 In deriving primary classification, these are patterns which are assigned number values
depending on which finger they appear.
23. OUTER WHORL

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  Is one in which the tracing passes outside or below the right delta with 3 or more intervening
ridges.
24. PATTERN AREA
 Is that part of fingerprint in which lies within the area surrounded by the type line.
25. PLAIN ARCH
 a pattern in which the ridge smoothly flows from one side to another side with a wave in the
center without any obstruction.
26. PLAIN WHORL (W)
 a pattern in which there 2 deltas are, and when you draw an imaginary line from left delta to the
right delta IT TOUCH the inner circuiting of the ridges.
27. PLAIN IMPRESSION
 Is one made by pressing the inked finger directly down upon fingerprint card without any rolling
motion, whatever.
28. POROSCOPY
 Is the science that deals with the study of pores and sweat glands.
29. POST MORTEM FINGERPRINTING
 Means of taking the fingerprint of the deceased person for identification purposes.
30. POLYDACTYLISM
 The appearance of extra fingers as anatomically known.
31. RECORDING
 Means the placing of the prints in their proper blocks on the card.
32. RECURVING RIDGE
 Is the ridge that curves back in the direction from which is started
33. RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS
 Are little details in the ridges of the fingerprint patterns which are used in comparing and
identifying fingerprints.
34. RIDE COUNTING
 Refers to the process of counting the ridges that touch or pass an imaginary line drawn from the
core to the delta of the loop.
35. RIDGE COUNTER
 A small pointed instrument used for counting the ridges.
36. RIDGE TRACING

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  Is the process of tracing the ridge of the whorl pattern that emanates from the lower side of the
left delta to the front or approximate front of the right delta.
37. ROD OR BAR
 Is a ridge at the center of the recurving ridge of the loop pattern.
38. TENTED ARCH (t or T)
 Is a type of fingerprint pattern where majority of the ridges forming an arch and one or more of
the ridges at the center shaped a tent such as: an angle ; and abrupt; and a loop type.
39. TYPE LINE
 The basic boundaries of most fingerprint pattern. They are formed by the ridges which run
parallel diverge to surround or tend to surround the pattern area.
40. UPTHRUST
 Is an ending ridge or any length rising at a sufficient degree from the horizontal plane.
41. FINGERPRINTING
 Is the process of securing an impression of the papillary ridges of the fingers for the purpose of
identification.
42. FINGERING
 In music, is the system that determines what fingers should be used in playing an instrument. It
may also refer to the fingers that the notation calls for the performance of particular passages
or compositions.
43. FRAGMENTARY
 Not complete, partial
44. IMMUTABLE
 Unchangeable, invariable
45. FLEXURE LINE
 It is a source of reflexing the finger when extended
46. CREASES
 It is a white line which cut or cross the palm longitudinally located
47. FRICTION SKIN
 Is the epidermal hairless skin found on the lower surface of the hands and feet covered with
minute ridges.
48. SCAR
 Damage of permanent mark
49. PORE

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  Hole or opening
50. DACTYL
 Comes from the Latin word “Finger or Toe”
51. MACRO DACTYL
 Enlargement of finger
52. SYNDACTYL
 Having two or more fingers or toes joined together, congenital abnormality
53. ANTHROPOMETRY
 Study of human body measurement. Bertillonage system of measurement
54. PALMAR
 Pertaining or corresponding to the palm of the hand
55. PLANTAR
 Pertaining to the sole of the foot
56. CICATRIZE
 Permanent scar
57. ANKYLOSIS
 A bone condition in which the finger joints cannot be bent
58. APPROXIMATING PATTERN
 These are patterns which because of extreme complexities in their formations cannot be
assigned definite specific interpretations. These are ridge designs on which equally competent
fingerprint experts disagree on their interpretations.
59. BALL ZONE
 Large cushion below the base of the big toe. In this zone may appear the loops, whorls or
combinations of them. It may contain no pattern at all. Just a series of papillary ridges running
across the area. The ball zone corresponds to the thenar zone of the palm prints.
60. BATTLEY SINGLE FINGERPRINT METHOD
 A system of classifying and filing single fingerprint devised by Harry Battley, former Chief
Inspector in charge of fingerprint bureau, New Scotland Yard, London.
61. CARCAR ZONE
 The area at the heel. Very frequently no patterns shows in this zone, is usual ridge formation
consisting of nothing than latitudinal striations.
62. CARPAL DELTA ZONE

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  An area about the center of the palm, down near the wrist. It is not always expected to find the
pattern in this zone, but when a delta does appear there, tenders comparison easier.
63. CATCH OR INDENT
 It means the location or finding of a previously filed duplicate record card of the subject.
64. COMBINATION OF APPROXIMATING PATTERN
 The writing up of all possible classification for a set of prints which contains one or more
doubtful pattern
65. COMBINATION
 Means embracing all the possible variations of classification which set of fingerprint may
produce
66. DISSOCIATED RIDGES
 Unusual ridge structures having no well defined pattern; the ridges are extremely short which
never got very far, never fused and are of series of patches caused by a disturbance of
developmental process at the early fetal (prenatal) life of the individual.
67. DISTAL
 When the exit of the loop formation points toward the fingertips
68. ENVELOP
 When staple encloses one or more rods
69.FIBULAR ZONE
 This area is situated on the little toe side by the foot, just under the plantar zone. It is called
fibular because it is one side of the foot toward which the fibula (bone of the lower leg) runs. It
corresponds to the ulna bone of the arm. Patterns are no very often found in this zone
70. FILING OUT
 Means the entering on a fingerprint record card of all known essential data about a subject,
except the fingerprint itself.
71. FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION INDEX
 A series of guide cards having tabs on which are lettered the various fingerprint classification
combinations.
72. FOOTPRINT PATTERN ZONE
 These are areas in the sole of the human foot containing friction ridge characteristics where
footprint identification is based.
73. HYPOTHERMAL ZONE

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  Embraces the large cushion below the base of the little finger. It may contain loops, whorls and
combinations of them or no pattern at all. There are ridges present but may not necessarily form
patterns.
74. INCIPIENT RIDGES
 Unusual type of ridge found in a small percentage of patterns. They are found in the furrows
between two well formed and full bodied ridges. They are short, narrow and badly formed; their
diameter is never equal to the diameter of an average ridge and their course is practically
always interrupted. They are not consider when classifying.
75. PALM PATTERN ZONE
 These are parts of the human palms containing friction ridge characteristics where palm print
identification based.
76. PROXIMAL
 When the exit of the loop formation points toward the wrist
77. REFERENCE CLASSIFICATION
 A classification derived from a set of prints having approximating or questionable patterns. In
other words, it is second choice of classification
78. SEARCHING
 Is the act of looking through fingerprint file systematically to determine whether or not there is
duplicate on file of a set of prints the technician has in hand.
79. SEQUENCING
 Means the placing of a group of classified sets their correct filing order before beginning to file
or search them.
80. THENAR ZONE
 This is the large cushion at the base of the thumb. On this area may appear loops, whorl or
combinations of both. On some palms there are no patterns at all in this area just number of
significant straight lines.
81. TIBIAL ZONE
 This area is on the big toe of the foot. It derives its name to the tibia bone of the lower leg which
corresponds to the radius bone of the forearm.
82. BRACH DACTYL
 The fingers or toes are abnormally short
83. CUSPAL PATTERN OF RIDGES-OFF-THE-END-SYNDROME
 In this condition ridges flow from the base of the palm in an upward direction towards the finger
and disappear off the end of the digits.
85. NACRODACTYL

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  This is congenital abnormal largeness of fingers or toes
86. ORTHODACTYLY
 The fingers or toes be flexed, ordinarily as a result of symphalangy.
87. RIDGE APLASIA
 These conditions consist of a congenital absence of epidermal ridges. The palmar and
interphalangeal flexion creases remain normal, but as with hypoplasia, there is an excess of very
small creases on the skin.
88. RIDGE DISSOCIATION
 This condition (Cummins) is believed to occur in the fetus during 3 rd or 4th month of fregnacy.
Disturbance occurs in the epidermal ridges during formation and whilst individual ridge
elements are formed, they mostly fail to consolidate into continous ridges. The result can vary
from ultimate distortion of the fingerprint pattern, or it can be serve as to completely obliterate
an affect part of the pattern.
89. RIDGE HYPOPLASIA
 Here the ridge is intact but reduce the height. They are usually associated with an excess of
creases. The condition can be inherited or acquired and is sometimes associated with
chromosome abnormalities.
90. SPLIT RIDGES
 An abnormality in the embryological process of differential growth. The spacing among ridges
diverges from the norm to produce the appearance of split or paired ridges
91. SYMPHALANGY
 The end fusion of the phalanges of the fingers or toes
92. TRAUMA
 Taking trauma first, this can largely be regarded as occupational marks appearing on the hands
as a result of certain types of works
93. EDGEOSCOPY
 Study of shape and edge of ridges
94. RIDGEOLOGY
 Study in the use of ridge
95. CATCH OR IDENT
 In fingerprint parlance) it means a location of finding of a previously filed duplicate record card
of the subject.
96. FBI FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
 A system devised and perfected by the Federal Bureau of Investigation

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97. FRICTION RIDGES
Are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs by which fingerprints are
made. They are also called papillary ridges or epidermal ridge.

Module 1, Lesson 3
EARLY PUBLICATIONS
MARCELLO MALPIGHI (1686)- published a book entitled “De Externo Tactus Organo” he is an Italian
Anatomist, noted for his discovery of the outer (Epidermis) and the inner (Dermis) structure of the skin.
Grandfather of Dactyloscopy according to Edmond Locard.
J.C.A. MAYER (1788)- he stated in his book (Anatomiche Kuphertafeln Nebst Dazu Gehorgen) although
the arrangement of the skin ridges is never duplicated in two persons nevertheless, the similarities are
closer among the same individual.
JOHN EVANGELIST PURKINJE (1823)- father of Dactyloscopy, in the University of Breslau, Germany,
published his book entitled “ Commentary of Physiological Examination of the Organs of Vision and the
Coetaneous System” described ridges, giving them names and established certain rules of their
classification and identified nine (9) different patterns although he does not refer to it as used in
identification.
HERMAN WELCKER (1856)-took prints of his own palm and after forty one (41) years (1879) he printed
the same palm to prove that prints do not changed.
HINTZE (1751) - wrote on ridge formation but dealt with the subject from viewpoint of anatomy rather
than identification.
NEHEMIAH GREW- published a report entitled “Philosophical Transactions” in 1684 which was
presented before the Royal Society in London, England, describing the ridges and pores of the hand and
feet.
GOVARD BIDLOO- published a thesis “ Anatomia Humanis Corporis” which emphasize the appearance
and arrangement of ridges of the thumb due to their importance.
ALBINUS- followed along the same lines as HINTZE had written.
KOLLMAN- an Anthropologist who wrote his book on ridges and pores but still never has been
associated with identification.

FINGERPRINT AS METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION

SIR WILLIAM J. HERSCHEL (1858)-father of Chiroscopy, Hooghly, District of Jungipoor, India, printed the
palm of natives as to avoid impersonation and as substitute to signature.
RAJYADHAR KONAI-the first person Herschel printed the palm. Herschel requested that the prisoners be
fingerprinted, but his permission was denied in 1877.

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Dr. HENRY FAULDS (1880)-(Tsukiji, Hospital, Tokyo, Japan) his article on “ The Skin Furrows of the Hand”
advocated the used of fingerprints in the detection of crime.
SIR FRANCIS GALTON (1822-1911)-is credited with being the first scientist of friction skin identification
as well as his role in promoting its use. He was able to discover the three families of fingerprint patterns-
Arch, Loop and Whorl. He was made his own system of classification which was officially adopted on
Feb. 12, 1894.
JUAN VUCETICH (1891)-developed his own system of classification which was officially adopted in
Argentina and in used today in most Spanish-speaking countries in South America.
SIR EDWARD RICHARD HENRY (1859-1931)-succeeding Herschel position in India, he develop his own
system of classification which was recognized and officially adopted in Wales as well as throughout
England. He was appointed as Assistant Commissioner at Scotland Yard. He was later credited as the
“Father of Fingerprint” for his system was widely accepted in almost English Speaking Countries. In year
1914 this system replaced the Bertillonage in France.
KHAM BAHADUR AZIZUL HAQUE and RAI HEM CHANDRA BOSE-the two (2) Hindu Police Officer who
have help Henry in attaining his goal when he was still in India.

HISTORY OF FINGERPRINT IN AMERICA

GILBERT THOMPSON-a Geologist in New Mexico who adopted the first individual used of fingerprint in
August 8, 1882 by using his own thumbprint as protection to prevent tampering with pay orders he
issued.
ISAIAH WEST TABOR-photographer in San Francisco who was already engaged in the study and
promotion of the fingerprint system even before Galton’s participation. He had advocated the use of
system for the registration of Immigrant Chinese.
SAMUEL LANGHORNE CLEMENTS-Englishman whose Nun de Plume informally introduced Dactyloscopy,
the science of fingerprint in the United States thru his book “Life in the Mississippi” and Pupp’nhead
Wilson”.
FRANCIS GALTON (1822-1911)-makes a report on fingerprint as a method of identification along with his
device system, was read at Acquith Committee of London. His system was officially adopted on February
12, 1891.
DR. HENRY P. DE FOREST-utilized the first Municipal Civil use of fingerprint for Criminal Registration on
December 1902 in the Municipal Civil Service Commission of the City of New York.
CAPT. JAMES I. PARKE-advocated the first state and penal use of fingerprint in which was officially
adopted in Sing-Sing Prison on June 5, 1903 later on Huburn Napanoch and Clinton Penitentiaries.
SGT. JOHN KENNETH FERRER-Englishman and fingerprint instructor at St. Louis Police Department,
Missouri. He is one of the pupils of Sir Edward Richard Henry, and through personal contract during the
world’s fair exposition held in St. Louis Fingerprint Bureau was established on April 2, 1904.

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MAJ. MC. CLOUGNRY- Warden of Federal Penitentiaries of Levenworth. When the office of the Attorney
General of the United States granted permission to established a fingerprint bureau therein on
November 2, 1904. It was the first official National government use of fingerprint.
MARY K. HOLLAND-first American instructress in dactyloscopy.
FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION-identification unit therein was officially established by Act of
Congress in 1924.
INSTITUTE OF APPLIED SCIENCE-first private school to install laboratories for instruction purpose in
Dactyloscopy.
PEOPLE VS. JENNINGS (Dec. 21, 1911)-United States leading case wherein the first conviction based on
fingerprint was recognized by the Judicial authorities. (14 points of identification).

FINGERPRINTS IN THE PHILIPPINES

MR. JONES-one who first taught fingerprint in the Philippine Constabulary in 1900.
BUREAU OF PRISON-records shows that in 1918, CARPETAS (Commitment and Conviction Records)
fingerprints is already used.
LT. ASA and N. DARBY-established a modern and complete fingerprint files for Philippines during the
reoccupation of the Philippines by the American Forces.
GENEROSO REYES-first Filipino fingerprint technician employed in Philippine Constabulary.
ISABELA BERNALES-first Filipina fingerprint technician.
CAPT. THOMAS DUGAN, NYPD and FLAVIO GUERRERO, FBI Washington-gave first examination in
fingerprint in 1927 and AGUSTIN PATRICIO of the Philippines top the examination.
PEOPLE OF THE PHILS. Vs. MEDINA- first conviction based on fingerprint and leading judicial decision in
the Philippine Jurisprudence. (10 points of identification)

Personal Identification Techniques

a. Forensic Anthropology

Generally speaking, forensic anthropology is the examination of human skeletal remains for law
enforcement agencies to help with the recovery of human remains, determine the identity of
unidentified human remains, interpret trauma, and estimate time since death.

Anthropology alone is the study of man. Anthropologists are interested in culture (cultural
anthropologists), language (linguistic anthropologists), the physical remains or artifacts left
behind by human occupation (archaeologists), and human remains (physical anthropologists).

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Over the past century, physical anthropologists have developed methods to evaluate bones to
understand people who lived in the past. Such questions might include: Was this individual
male or female? How old were they when they died? How tall were they? Were the people in
good or poor general health?

Forensic anthropology involves the application of these same methods to modern cases of
unidentified human remains. Through the established methods, a forensic anthropologist can
aid law enforcement in establishing a profile of the unidentified remains. The profile includes
sex, age, ancestry, height, length of time since death, and sometimes the evaluation of trauma
observed on bones.

In many cases after identity of an individual is made, the forensic anthropologist is called to
testify in court regarding the identity of the remains and/or the trauma or wounds present on
the remains.

A forensic anthropologist is an expert who applies the study of physical anthropology and

human skeletons in a legal setting, usually in criminal cases. ... A forensic anthropologist applies
standard scientific techniques developed in physical anthropology to identify human remains,
and to assist in the detection of crime.

b. Forensic Odontology
Forensic odontology is the application of dental science to legal investigations,
primarily involving the identification of the offender by comparing dental records to a
bite mark left on the victim or at the scene, or identification of human remains based
on dental records.

Criminals have been known to leave bite mark impressions at the crime scene, whether it be in
food, chewing gum or, more commonly, on the victim. When a bite mark is discovered,
numerous steps should be taken. Once the mark has been sufficiently photographed, a saliva
sample is taken from the area for potential DNA evidence. Casts or moulds can then be made. If
another bite impression is found elsewhere or if a teeth impression is taken from a suspect, a
comparison can be made.

Bite marks have been divided into seven classifications:

Hemorrhage: A small bleeding spot.
Abrasion: Undamaging mark on the skin.
Contusion: Ruptured blood vessels, bruising.
Laceration: Punctured or torn skin.
Incision: Neat puncture of the skin.

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Avulsion: Removal of the skin.
Artefact: Bitten off piece of body.
Bite marks may be found on the flesh of victims of a violent attack, particularly on the
stomach, breasts or buttocks. Alternatively, they may be found on the suspect, left by
the victim during self-defense. The quality and accuracy of a bite mark are dependent
on numerous factors, including time-dependent changes, where the bite mark was
found, damage to soft tissue, dental similarity among individuals, and quality of
photography, impressions or measurements. If a bite mark is only represented as a
bruise, it is often extremely difficult to detect any individual characteristics.

In identifying human remains based in their teeth, dental records should ideally be obtained
and compared to those of the unidentified body. If this is not possible, other clues in the teeth
may be useful. Tooth eruption is linked to a certain extent with age, giving a possible rough
estimation of the victim. When working with a young victim, the stage of development of a
child’s teeth may be used to determine their age, though this can only be an estimate. The state
and wear patterns of an individual’s teeth may give insight into the person’s age, diet, and
dental history, as well as personal habits such as pipe-smoking and eating disorders.

A common method of comparing bite marks is to use transparent overlays to record the biting
edges of a suspect’s teeth and compare them with the crime scene sample. These are often
drawn on sheets of acetate, which can then be placed over one another for comparison. If it is
possible, a dental cast will be made of the bite mark for later comparison to a suspect sample.

However, the reliability of forensic odontology has been called into question on numerous
occasions. The skin itself is not a good medium for dental impressions, often having a number
of irregularities that will cause distortion. Bite marks can be altered through stretching,
movement, or change in environment after the bite. There is also no set standard by which to
analyze and compare bite marks.
Aside from criminal cases, forensic odontologists and dentists are greatly involved in
the identification of victims of mass disasters. Dental records in particular are
beneficial in identifying such victims.

c. DNA Profiling
DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid. It is the hereditary material found in all living organisms.
It contains the genetic instructions for the development and functioning of an organism. These
instructions are passed from one generation to the next generation.

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How DNA work

deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) is the master molecule of every cell. It contains vital

information that gets passed on to each successive generation. It coordinates the
making of itself as well as other molecules (proteins). If it is changed slightly, serious
consequences may result. If it is destroyed beyond repair, the cell dies

d. Fingerprint Identification
Fingerprint identification, also known as dactyloscopy or hand print identification, is the process
of comparing two instances of friction ridge skin impressions (see Minutiae) from human
fingers or toes, or even the palm of the hand or sole of the foot, to see if they could have come
from the same person.

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