Lecture on

Personal Identification
by Dr. Ruby L.
Tamayo
 History of Fingerprint
Fingerprints had been
considered as one of the most
infallible means of identification.
It has been utilized at present
into large extent, from public to
private documents, and from simple
clearance to a very important
document.
 Origin of Fingerprints
The Chinese are the one noted to
be the first user of Fingerprints.
“Hua Chi” is the name given by
the Chinese in referring to
fingerprints.
They uses fingerprints as
symbolism in the early part of the
history as part of their “rituals” until
they utilize it in the signing of
contract on the part of the illiterate.
 The Chinese were well acquainted with
the essential characteristics of fingerprint.
The arches and whorls were called by
them “LO” (snail); loops are “KI” (sieve or
winnowing basket). The loops are look upon
as passages of good luck.
Emperor Te’in Shi (246-210 BC) was the
first Chinese Ruler who devised a seal
carved from white jade. On one side of it
was the name of the owner, and on the
other side was the impression of the thumb.
 Scientific Discovery and
Development of Fingerprint
Marcelo Malphigni (1628-1694)
A professor of Anatomy in the University of
Bologna, Italy who published a book entitled “De
Externo Tactus Organo” depicting the
construction of the layers of the human skin,
particularly the friction skin namely the Epidermis
and Dermis.
He originated the terms “loops and spirals”
and because of his contribution one of the thin
layer of the friction skin was names after him,
the “Malphigian layer”.
 JC Mayer (1788)
He stated in his book (Anatomiche
Kuphertafein Nebst dazu Gehorigen)
“Although the arrangement of the
skin ridges is never duplicated in two
persons, nevertheless, the
similarities are closer among some
individuals.
Professor Johannes E. Purkenje
A professor in the University of
Breslau, Germany, who discovered in
his study of physiology, that the skin
of the inner surface of the hands
bore patterns which the later named
and set rules governing their
classification and even identify nine
types of patterns, but he did not
associate it with identification.
 Herman Welcker

He took the prints of his own

palms and after 41 years he printed
the same palms to proved that prints
do not change, except for some
scratches due to old age.
 Fingerprints as a Method of
Identification
Sir William J. Herschel
Hoogly District of Bengal, India.
As acting official representative of
English government in Bengal, India,
utilized fingerprints as a substitute
for signature to avoid impersonation
among the natives.
Rajyadhar Konai was the first
person Hershel printed the palm.
 Dr. Henry Faulds
A surgeon at Tsukiji Hospital, Tokyo,
Japan. He wrote the English Journal “
Nature Dealing with Latent Prints Found at
the Scene of the Crime”. He claimed that
the impression would provide positive
identification of offenders when
apprehended.
He also wrote “ A Manual of Practical
Dactyloscopy “ based on skin ridges of the
fingers and toes.
 Sir Francis Galton
Credited for being the first scientist of
friction skin identification who established
the Civil Bureau of Personal Identification
in London, England; and discover the
three families of fingerprint patterns:
arches, loops and whorls.
Later devised a system of classification
that was officially adopted on February 12,
1894.
He also stated that if there is possibility
for two (2) prints to be the same it is
1:64,000,000,000.
 Sir Edward R. Henry
Inspired by various predecessors in the
study of fingerprints, he developed his
own system of classification while working
in Scotland Yard.
He was accorded as the title of “Father
of Fingerprint”.
His system of identification finally
replace the Bertillion System of
identification in France.
 Juan Vucetich

Developed his own system of

classifying prints that was officially
adopted in Argentina and was used
in most Spanish Speaking Country.
Development of Fingerprints in the
Philippines
Mr. Jones
One who first taught fingerprint in
the Philippine Constabulary in the
year 1900.
Bureau of Prisons
Records shows that in 1918,
CARPETAS (Commitment and
Conviction Records) already used
fingerprint.
 Generoso Reyes

First Filipino Fingerprint

Technician employed by the
Philippine Constabulary.
 Isabela Bernales
First Filipina Fingerprint Technician.
 Capt. Thomas Dugan
New York Police Department and
Flaviano Guerrero, FBI Washington
gave the first examination in
Fingerprint in 1927 and Agustin
Patricio of the Philippines Top the
said examination.
 People of the Philippines Vs.
Medina
First conviction based on
fingerprint and leading judicial
decision in the Philippine
Jurisprudence using the 10 points of
identity.
Plaridel Education Institution
Now known as the Philippine
College of Criminology, the first
government recognized school to
teach the science of Fingerprint and
other Police Sciences.
 Other Methods of Identification
Identification of Living Person:
1.1 Characteristics that may easily be
changed
a. Growth of hair, beard and mustache
b. Clothing
c. Frequent place of visit
d. Grade or profession
e. Body ornamentation such as earrings,
necklace,
rings, bracelets, watch and others
 1.2 Characteristics that may not
easily be changed
a. Speech
b. Gait or manner of walking
c. Mannerism
d. Hands and feet
e. Complexion
f. Features of the face
g. Body built
h. Left or right handedness
i. Degree of nutrition
 Identification applicable to both living and
dead persons
1. Occupational mark
2. Race
3. Statute
4. Teeth
5. Tattoo Marks
6. Scar marks
7. Birth marks
8. Deformities
9. Moles
10. Injuries leaving a permanent marks
11. Tribal marks
12. Sexual organs (testes and ovaries)
13. Blood Group
14. Handwriting and signatures
15. Anthropometry
16. Fingerprint
17. DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid)
 Dactyloscopy
Refers to the practical application of
fingerprints for personal identification of a
person.
The word Dactyloscopy was derived
from the Greek words “Dactyl” which
means finger and “skopien” meaning to
study or to examine.
Therefore, dactyloscopy literally means
the study of fingers.
 Dactylography
Refers to the scientific study of
fingerprints as a means of
identification.

Dactylomancy
Is the study of fingerprint for
purposes of interpreting one’s
personality.
 Fingerprints
Are impressions designed by the
ridges on the inside of the last joint
of the finger or thumb on any
smooth surface through the media of
an ink, sweat or any reagents
capable of producing visibility.
 Principles of Fingerprint
Identification
1. Principle of Individuality
States that there are no two persons
having the same fingerprints.
2. Principle of Permanency/Constancy
States that once ridges are fully
developed their general arrangement
remains the same throughout life.
3. Principle of Infallibility
States that fingerprints is a reliable
positive means of identification.
 Other Field of Study Related to
Dactyloscopy
1. Poroscopy
Refers to the examination of
the shape, size and
arrangement of the small
opening on friction ridge
through which body fluids are
secreted or released (pores)
 Podoscopy
A term coined by Wilder
and Wenworth which
refers to the examination
of the soles and their
significance in personal
identification.
 Cheiloscopy
Refers to the
examination of lip prints
which may serve to
identify and individualize
persons.
 Chiroscopy
It is the examination
and thorough study of
the palms of the human
hand as a point in
identifying.
 Edgeoscopy
The study of the
morphological
characteristics of friction
ridges; shape or contour
of the edges of friction
ridges.
Dactyloscopy
The word Dactyloscopy was
derived from the Greek
words:
“Dactyl” which means
finger
“Skopien” which means to
study or to examine
Dactyloscopy
Refers to the practical application of
fingerprints; the making of identification by
fingerprints comparison and classification of
fingerprints.
Dactylography
Refers to the scientific study of
fingerprints as a means of identification.
Dactylomancy
Study of fingerprint for purposes of
interpreting one’s personality.
The Friction Skin
and Its
Components
 Friction Skin
It is an epidermal hairless skin
found on the ventral or lower surface
of the hands and feet covered with
minute ridges and furrows and without
pigment or coloring matters.
These are strips of skin on the
inside of the end joints of our fingers
and thumbs by which fingerprints are
made.
It is also called papillary or
epidermal ridges.
 Components of the Friction Skin
a. Ridge Surface – is that component of
the friction skin that actually forms
the fingerprint impression.
1. Ridges – are tiny elevation or
hill-like structures found on the
epidermis later of the skin containing
sweat pores.
It appears as black lines with
tiny white dots called pores in an
inked impression.
2. Furrows
Are the canal-like impression or a
depression found between the ridges
which may be compare with the low
area in a tire thread.

They appear as white lines in an

inked impression.
b. Sweat Pores
Is a small opening found anywhere
across the ridge surface but is usually
found near the center.

c. Sweat Duct
Is a long-host like structure that
serves as the passage way for the
sweat that exits at its mouth, the
pore.
d. Sweat Glands

Is that glands found in the dermis

layer of the skin which is responsible
for the production of the sweat
(watery substance).
 Fundamental Layers of the
Friction Skin
a. Epidermis - the outer covering of
the skin.

Two Layers of the Epidermis

1. Stratum Corneum - the outer
layer.
2. Stratum Mucosum – immediately
beneath the covering layer.
 Five (5) Subdivisions of the
Stratum Corneum
1. Corneus layer
2. Transparent layer
3. Granucar layer
4. Malphigian layer
5. Generating layer
Dermis
The inner layer of the skin
containing blood vessels, various
glands and nerves.

It is where the dermal papillae are

found.
 Ridge Formation

Ridges begin to form

on the human fetus
during its 4 to 5
th th

months of the fetus life.

Dermal Papillae
Are irregular blunt pegs composed
of delicate connective tissues
protruding and forming the ridges of
the skin on the fingers, palms, toes,
and soles of the feet.
 Causes of Ridge Destruction
1. Manual Works
2. Skin Diseases
3. Warts
4. Skin ulcers
5. Burns
6. Scars
 Some Attempts of Destroying
Ridges and Disguises
John Dillenger , US notorious public
enemy No. 1 who tried to remove his
fingerprints with acid but failed.

Post-mortem fingerprints taken

after FBI agents shot him proved
that he was Dillenger.
Robert James Pitts
Gained fame as the “man without
fingerprints”. Knowing from an inmate
of a possible destruction of
fingerprints, he contacted a doctor.
The ridges on his fingers were
removed up to the generative layer.
He was also known by the name
Roscoe Pitts.
 Importance Served by Fingerprints
1. It is used for identifying suspects for
investigation purposes.
2. Used to provide identity for
unidentified dead persons.
3. Used for the identification of missing
person.
4. Detecting a criminal identity through
fingerprints collected at the scene and
determining recidivism or habitual
delinquency.
5. Used as a means of verification or
confirmation of public documents.
6. Used as records in the police
departments and other law
enforcement agency for the purpose of
issuing clearance.
7. Modern technology utilizes
fingerprints in opening of volts or
doors leading to confidential matters.
8. Used as a means in checking or
verifying entry of authorized personnel
on certain business establishments.
 THE FINGERPRINT
PATTERNS
The fingerprint patterns and classification:
1. Arch (5%) 3. Whorl (35%)
a. Plain arch a. Plain whorl
b. Tented arch b. Central pocket
loop
2. Loop (60%) c. Double loop
a. Radial loop d. Accidental whorl
b. Ulnar loop
 Plain Arch

Is a pattern in which the ridges

flows from one side to the other side
or flows towards and without
recurving, usually having a slight
upward curve in the center, making
the pattern like an arch. No core and
delta.
 Tented Arch
Is a type of pattern where majority
of the ridges form an arch. It only
differs from plain arch when one or
more ridges at the center shape a
tent or make a rise giving the pattern
a tent of an angel of 90 degrees or
less, or one with an up thrust having
an angle of 45 degrees or more, or a
pattern similar to loop but lacking one
or two of its essential elements.
 Loop
Is a pattern in which one or more
of the ridges enters on one side of
the impression , then turn or makes
a recurve passing or touching an
imaginary line drawn between the
delta and core, then flow toward the
same side of the impression from
where the ridges entered.
Two Divisions of a Loop Pattern
The two (2) divisions of a loop was based on
the fact that every human being has in their
forearm two large bones extending from the elbow
to the wrist.
One is the radius bone or the inner
bone of the forearm that runs to the
wrist on the side where the thumb is
located.
The other one also running to the
wrist is located or situated on the little
finger and this is the ulna bone.
Requisites of a Loop Pattern

a. It must have a delta

b. It must have a core
c. It must have a ridge count across
a looping ridge or recurving ridge.
Radial Loop
Is a loop in which the slanting of
the ridges run towards the thumb.

Ulnar Loop
Is a loop in which the slanting
ridges run towards the direction of
the little finger.
 Kinds of Whorls Patterns
Plain Whorl
Is a pattern consisting of two deltas
and which at least one ridge makes a
turn through one complete circuit.
An imaginary line drawn between
the two deltas must touch or cross at
least one of the recurving ridge within
the pattern area.
The pattern could be a spiral, oval,
circular or any variant of a circle.
 Elements of a Plain Whorl
a. A Complete circuit
b. Two deltas
c. At least one circuiting ridge is
touched or crossed by an
imaginary line traversing between
the two deltas.
 Central Pocket Loop Whorl
A pattern which posses two (2) deltas, with
one or more ridges forming a complete
circuit which maybe oval, spiral, circular or
any variant of a circle; or it is a pattern
consisting of two deltas, with one or more
recurving ridges with an obstruction at right
angle to the inner line of flow, between
which an imaginary line would touch or
cross no recurving ridge within the inner
pattern area.
 Elements of Central Pocket
Loop
a. At least one recurving ridge or
obstruction at right angle.
b. It has two deltas.
c. No complete circuit is touched or
crossed by an imaginary line
drawn between two deltas.
 Double Loop
This is a pattern consisting of two
separate and distinct loop formation,
with two sets of shoulders and two
deltas.
The loops do not necessarily have
to be of the same length and size.
 Elements of Double Loop
a. Two separate loop formation
b. Two separate and distinct sets of
shoulders
c. Two deltas
 Accidental Whorl
This is a pattern consisting of a
combination of two different types of
pattern such as a loop and a whorl; a
loop and a central pocket loop; or
any combination of two different loop
and whorl type pattern, except for a
plain arch.
Elements of Accidental Whorl
a. Combination of two different type
of pattern with the exceptions of
the plain arch.

b. Two or more deltas

 Ridge Characteristics
1. Bifurcation
is a single ridge that divides itself
into two or more branches. It is
sometimes called as fork, making its
impression.
2. Converging Ridge
Is a ridge formation characterized
by a closed angular end and serves
as a point of convergence (meeting
of two ridges that were previously
running side by side).
3. Diverging Ridges
Two ridges that are flowing side
by side and suddenly separating or
spreading apart.
4. Enclosure or Lake or Eyelet
A ridge that divides into two
branches and meet to form the
original ridge.
5. Ending Ridge
Refers to an end point of a ridge, or
a ridge with abrupt ending.
6. Islands or Dots
A ridge that resembles a dot,
fragment or a period.
7. Type Lines
These are basic boundaries of
fingerprint patterns. They are the
two innermost ridges that are
running parallel or nearly parallel
with each other which diverge at a
certain point tending to surround or
surround the pattern area.
8. Pattern Area
Is that part of the fingerprint that
lies within the area surrounded by
the type lines.
It is where the core, delta and
other ridge characteristics used for
classification can be found.
9. Recurving or Looping Ridge
Is a kind of ridge formation that
curves back in the direction from
which it started.
It looks like a hairpin.
10. Sufficient Recurve
Is a recurving ridge complete of
its shoulders and is free from any
appendage.
11. Appendage
Is a short ridge found abutting at
the top or at the summit of a
recurving ridge.
12. Rod or Bar

Is a short or long ridge found

inside the innermost recurving ridge
of a loop pattern
13. Obstruction Ridge
Is a short ridge found inside the
innermost recurving ridge that
spoiled the inner flow towards the
center of the pattern.
 Deltas and Core
Deltas and core are the focal points
of fingerprint classification. Also known
as the fingerprint terminus.
Delta – is a point on the first ridge
formation located directly at or in front
of and nearest the center of the
divergence of the type lines. Delta is
an old Greek Word.
The original English meaning of the
word refers to a deposit of earth at the
mouth of a river.
Classification of Delta
A delta maybe:
1. A bifurcating ridge

2. A dot

3. An ending ridge

4. A short ridge

5. A point on a converging ridge in front

of the typelines
Core
is defined as the approximate
center of a finger impressions.
 Classification Formula
Divisions of Classification Formula:
1. Primary
1. Secondary

2. Sub-Secondary

3. Major

4. Final

5. Key
 Primary Division
Is the sum total of all the
numerical value assigned to whorl
appearing in the fingerprint card
expressed as numerator and
denominator and with the addition of
the constant value of 1 both in the
numerator and denominator.
 Numerical Value for Whorl
Patterns
Fingers 1 and 2 = 16
Fingers 3 and 4 = 8
Fingers 5 and 6 = 4
Fingers 7 and 8 = 2
Fingers 9 and 10 = 1
Plus the addition of the constant value
of 1 both in the numerator and
denominator
 Secondary Division
This division is obtained by writing
the capital letter symbols and the
small letters of the corresponding
patterns.
Capital letter group = WUTRA (index
fingers)
Small letter group = rat
Ulnar letters are represented by a
symbol of \ which correspond to the
flow of the ridges.
 Sub-Secondary Division
Is obtained by ridge counting in a
loop pattern and whorl tracing for
whorl patterns.
Ridge Counting (for loop patterns only)
Index finger 1-9= Inner (I)
10 or more = Outer (O)
Middle Finger 1 – 10 = Inner (I)
11 or more = Outer (O)
Ring Finger 1 – 13 = Inner (I)
14 or more = Outer (O)
 Major Division
Is similar in process as the sub-
secondary division though it applies
only to the thumbs.
 Final Division
Is the division in the classification
formula that is derived from the
ridge count of a loop pattern found
on the little fingers.
In case whorl pattern appears, it
has to be treated as loop and
established the ridge count of the
whorl pattern.
Pattern priority – loop; finger priority-
finger 5
 Key Division
This division is derived by getting
the ridge count of the first loop
appearing in the fingerprint card
except for the little fingers.
 Classification of Amputated or
Severely Scarred Fingers
1. In case both opposite fingers are
missing/amputated/severely scarred it
shall receive the classification of whorl with
a Meeting tracing.
2. In case both hands are amputated, all
fingers are treated as whorl with M tracing.
3. In case of missing/amputated/severely
scarred finger it should receive the same
classification given to the opposite finger.
Classification Formula when all
fingers are missing

M 32 W MMM
Class:
_______________________
M 32 W MMM