Page 12 - Read The Found Prints Fingerprint Analysys

prints were identical and that the prints remained patterns used for fingerprint analysis are loops,
unchanged throughout the individual’s lifetime. arches, and whorls.
The British Government later adopted a fingerprint
system based on Galton’s work to supplement the Loops appear in sixty to sixty-five percent of the
Bertillon system. The United Kingdom Fingerprint population and are comprised of ridgelines that
Bureau was founded in Scotland Yard, a division of enter on one side, turn around in a curve, and exit
the London police, in 1901. In that same year, the US out the same side. The pattern area of the loop is
New York City Civil Service Commission adopted the surrounded by two diverging ridges. A loop consists
first systematic and official use of fingerprints for of a core (center of the pattern) and only one delta.
personal identification. This mark looks like the Greek letter delta (p) and is a
triangulation, or a dividing, of the ridges. By definition,
One of the most famous cases solved by fingerprint the existence of a core and exactly one delta makes
analysis, often called the greatest art theft in the a pattern a loop. There are two types of loops: loops
20th century, occurred when Leonardo da Vinci’s that open towards the little finger are called ulnar and
painting, Mona Lisa, was stolen from the Louvre others that open toward the thumb are called radial.

Museum in Paris on August 21, 1911. The suspect Arches appear in about five percent of the population
left a clear fingerprint on the glass casing. Police and consist of ridgelines that enter from one end and
officer Alphonse Bertillon spent many months flow out the other side, usually forming a wavelike
examining a compilation of prints, but no match pattern. Arches have neither a core nor a delta. Any
was found. Two years later, police arrested Vicenzo pattern without a delta should be considered to be an
Peruggia in connection with the crime after arch pattern. Arches are the most simple fingerprint,
determining that his thumbprint matched a print but they are very uncommon, especially on the little
found at the crime scene. In many similar cases, fingers. The arch type is either plain or tented. Plain
fingerprints have become critical evidence for arches have only a gentle rise, while tented arches
finding the suspect. have a sharp rise in the center.

Fingerprints are unique to an individual, and, Whorls are displayed in thirty to thirty five percent
therefore, can be used as a personal identification. of all prints and consist of ridgelines that are
Over the many years of the use of fingerprints generally rounded in shape and make at least
in forensic science, no two identical fingerprints one complete circuit. Any fingerprint pattern that
have been found. According to Sir Francis Galton, contains at least two deltas will be a whorl pattern.
the chance of two individuals having an identical Whorls are very common, especially on the thumb,
print is 1 in 64 billion. Fingerprints are unique, index, and ring fingers. There are four types of
not because of their shape or pattern, but by the whorls: central pocket loop whirls, plain whorls,
relative locations of the minutiae (characteristics double loop whorls, and accidental whorls. Plain
of the ridges). Some examples of minutiae include: whorls consist of one or more ridges that make a
ridge endings, bifurcations, lakes, short ridges, complete circuit with two deltas; if an imaginary
islands, and crossovers. Fingerprints will remain straight line is drawn from one delta to the other,
unchanged during an individual’s lifetime, although at least one circular ridge within the inner pattern
scarring, such as burns or deep tissue damage, of the circuit will intersect the line. Central pocket
may obscure the minutiae. General ridge patterns loops consist of one or more ridges that make a
allow for prints to be systematically classified. The complete circuit with two deltas; if an imaginary
three basic identifying straight line is drawn from one delta to the other, at

12 THE MYSTERY OF LYLE AND LOUISE