Fingerprint Lesson

Fingerprinting

-Latent Print Examiners compare prints from a crime scene to prints of suspects.

-The points of comparison on the prints are called MINUTIAE (min-u-sha).

What are the points of comparison called?

Fingerprint powders can be used to make latent prints visible at a crime scene. They are applied with brushes or other tools. Other methods include superglue fuming and Ninhydrin chemical reaction. Watch the video and answer the question after you finish.

What did they use to lift the print off the white cup?

AFIS is the Automated Fingerprint Identification System. Once prints are collected, they are run through a digital program called AFIS. It contains millions of fingerprint records and can search the database for matches against already convicted offenders.

What is the system called? Put it in all caps.

There are three types of prints found at crime scenes.

1. Latent Prints: invisible prints left behind by oils on the fingers.

2. Plastic Prints: impressions left on soft material (wax, soap, dust, etc)

3. Visible Prints: made by fingers touching a surface after contact with a material such as blood, paint, dirt or ink.

4. What are the three kinds of crime scene fingerprints?

• Visible Prints, Plastic Prints, Latent Prints

• Visible Prints, Invisible Prints, Latent Prints

• Visible Prints, Plastic Prints, Invisible Prints

• Visible Prints, Impression Prints, Latent Prints

What is AFIS?

• A device used to detect latent fingerprints

• A chemical reaction used to collect fingerprints

• An automated fingerprint identification system

• A program for analyzing minutiae patterns

What does AFIS do with the collected fingerprints?

• Makes pictures with them

• Stores them in a database

• Deletes them

What is the purpose of dusting for fingerprints?

• To make latent prints visible

• To locate visible and plastic prints

• To convert fingerprints into digital format

What should be used to lift a visible or plastic print without damaging it?

• A dusting brush

• Red Tape

• Clear tape

• a spatula

Prints that are not readily visible are called _____ prints.

• latent

• visbile

• plastic

No two people have the same fingerprint

• True

• False