Fingerprinting: A Brief Description

Everyone in this world have unique Fingerprints. Fingerprinting is the process of obtaining the prominent or conspicuous parts which attracts attention, from an action or measure to which one may have recourse in. These parts are then compared to a databank to deduce conclusions about the scrutinized or investigated action.

The Fingerprint patterns of humans are classified mainly into three entities, which are

a) Loops

b) Arches

c) Whorls

Out of which, Loops occur frequently. It is observed that Loops account 65 percent, Whorls account for 30 percent and Arches for 5 percent of all the fingerprints.

In spite of these Fingerprint patterns, each individual has their own unusual set of fingerprints. With the help of these patterns, the conclusions are inferred.

Fingerprints have ridge patterns. Theses ridge patterns make the Impression, which can be located and attained and can be used as an indication for proof.

These fingerprint impressions are used when identifying the Fingerprints. The fingerprint impressions are usually of three types - Latent, Plastic and Patent.

Latent prints are not promptly apparent. They are visible from the ridge pattern details which are collected when the hand comes in contact with the exterior boundary of a thing or an object and some of the condensed or diffused liquid is transferred from the hand to the object.

Patent prints also called as Visible prints are apparent and they are visible when the blood, dirt, ink or grease on the finger comes in contact with the surface, leaving behind the ridge pattern details.

Plastic prints also termed as Impressed prints are visible when the fingers, feet or hands are placed on soft pliable materials such as clay, wet paint, blood, tar or any other surface, which will retain the impression.

There are numerous means which are used to recover the Fingerprints. For Latent Prints dusting, florescent die stains, Fuming, Powders or chemical reagents are used. For Patent prints, as the print is visible, a photograph will be sufficient. Plastic prints can be viewed from a caster or from a photograph which is not developed.