Midterm Module

Lesson 1
REAL FINGERPRINT IMPRESSIONS

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the lesson, the students should be able to:

a. Understand the methods used in producing real impressions.

b. Acquire knowledge in recording real fingerprints.
c. Determine the equipment used in preparation for taking
fingerprints using the slab and roller method.
d. Recognize the considerations in taking legible fingerprints.

▪ Real Impressions - Impressions of the finger bulbs with the use of the printing ink on
the surface of the paper. Any other coloring materials may be used but less visible
and indelible.

▪ Methods of Producing Real Impressions

a. Plain Method
b. Rolled Method

▪ Methods of recording real Fingerprints

a. Step 1- Ink the roller. Apply a small amount (about ¼ inch long stream) of
fingerprint ink on the right side of the slab, toward the back. Roll out a two to
three-inch-wide layer of ink
on the back portion of the slab-lifting the roller off the slab after each stroke and
return to the starting point (do not use a backand-forth motion with the roller).
Repeat several times until a thin film of ink forms on the roller.

b. Step 2 - using the same roller motion (without rolling back and forth), spread the
layer toward the front edge of the slab, until a smooth, uniform coating of ink
forms. The front edge is where the fingerprints are rolled. When the ink on the
front edge becomes too thin, replenish the ink roller on the back edge of the slab
and repeat step two.

▪ Porelon Pad Method - No advance preparation is needed to use the Porelon pad.
However, the pad surface should be cleaned occasionally to remove oil and dirt
deposits by wiping the surface lightly with a soft, dry, lint-free cloth.

▪ Print-Matic Method - Like the slab and roller method, the Print Matic method
requires that the ink is embedded within the Print Matic roller, and coating the slab
requires only a few passes of the roller in the same direction to apply a thin, even
layer of ink.
Equipment Used in Preparation for Taking Fingerprint using Slab and Roller Method

a. Inking plate – A 12 inches plate is long enough for most set of 0 fingers. The
width of the plate should not be less than 8 inches, ten (10) is a better width. A
10-inch plate is also wide enough to ink a complete palm in one operation
whenever it becomes necessary.

b. Card holder – The simplest is a U-shaped spring clamp. Made of spring steel,
stainless steel or brass of gauge sufficient to hold its shape in heavy usage.

c. Roller – 6 inches long, and 2 inches in diameter. The handle should have
supporting posts or legs to suspend the rubber roller from developing flat sides
and to keep unused portions of the plate and table top from being smeared with
ink.

d. Ink - black ink is the most commonly used for taking fingerprint impression. It is a
consistency suitable for rolling into a thin film and it is quick drying when
transferred to a card as an inked impression. Yet it does not dry too fast. Usable
for several hours after a film has been rolled.
Take Note: Fountain pen ink, colored ink and stamp pad ink are objectionable to
be used as fingerprint ink because -

a. They are too thin

b. Dry too quickly
c. Stamp pad smears easily
d. Impressions using stamp pad reproduce ‘weave” of the pad stamp
covering the inked impression.
e. Unsatisfactory for comparison purposes.

e. Fingerprint stand – 32 inches high, the inking surface of a fingerprint stand

should be approximately 12 inches above the top of an ordinary desk making the
printing surface approximately 44 inches from the floor for the average person.

f. Standard eight by eight inches fingerprint card – It is found to be adequate for

receiving five rolled impressions across the card the size convenient for handling
and filing.

▪ Considerations in Taking Legible Fingerprints

1. Cleanliness of equipment
2. The right kind and correct amount of ink.
3. Proper distribution of ink on the glass slab or inking plate.
4. The distance of the subject from the inking on the fingerprint card.
5. The advice of the operator to the subject to relax and never to aid in the
operation.
6. The pressure exerted must be slight and even the rolling be continuous
movement including lifting.
7. The nail of the fingers should be at rights angle to the slab or to the card
before starting the rolling and always roll the fingers until the other side of the
nail is reached (180 degrees).
8. The inking and printing must always reach below the first of the fingers.
 9. The thumbs should be rolled towards the subject’s body and all other fingers
away from the subject’s body.

▪ Steps in Taking Fingerprints

1. The first and most important step is clear the plate thoroughly.
2. A daub of printer’s ink is deposited near the edge of the plate away from the
operator.
3. The subject’s hand and fingers must be relaxed.

▪ Stance for taking prints

Most operators stand on the left side of the person whose prints are being taken for
the simple reason that more people are right-handed and then normally work more
efficiently and do better advantage toward the right. Therefore, most fingerprint
stands are made so that the printing is done on the left front corner.

Rolled Impression – the subject must be relaxed

Plain Impression – the subject may not be relaxed.

▪ Finger Disabilities Need Extra-attention in Taking Prints

Temporary Disabilities

a. Fresh cuts or wounds or bandaged fingers

b. Occupational marks – carpenters, bricklayers, etc.
c. Excessive perspiration

Permanent Disabilities

a. lack of fingers – in-born or amputated

b. crippled fingers – bent or broken
c. deformities – webbed, extra fingers (poly dactyl)
d. old age
e. split fingers/thumbs

▪ Extraordinary Taking of Real Fingerprint Impressions

Excessively sweating fingers - Impressing shall be made after temporarily

suppressing sweating by wiping fingers with a lightly squeezed piece of gauze to
which formalin alcohol liquid (100 ml. of ethyl alcohol liquid containing 1-3 ml. of
formalin pharmacopoeia) is applied.

Fingers with stiff joints - Impressing shall be made after shaking a subject’s hand
grasped by the wrist up and down several times to smoothen the joint movement. In
this case, if the impressing plate and the glass plate are placed somewhat higher
while having the subject stand somewhat away from the table, handling would be
easier.
 Fingers with stiff surface skin, coarse fingers and fingers suffering from
dermatophytosis - Wrap fingers in a steamed towel for several minutes then
impress. In this case, somewhat denser ink and somewhat weaker impressing will be
better.

▪ Fingerprint Impressing Technique for a Dead Body

Fingers soon after death - Wipe out fingers with a piece of gauze containing
alcohol if they are stained. In case where satisfactory roll impressions are not
obtainable by the ordinary impressing technique, the impression paper shall be cut to
a proper size, and impressing shall be made onto it using such aids as a fingerprint
taking pallet from a dead body.

Stiff fingers of a clenched fist - Impressing shall be made using an aid such as a
spatula for taking fingerprints from a dead body.

Blanched and wrinkled fingers

a. Finger without percolate - wipe them with a piece of alcohol –

containing gauze; soften them thoroughly with your fingertips, stretch
wrinkles, and then impress.
b. Fingers with percolate - take their mold with silicon after drying with
lycopodium powder. In order to obtain fingerprint impressions from
silicon molds, strippable paint or cortex shall be used this technique is
as follows:
c. Fingers with peeled-off surfaced skin - wind that surface skin
around the operator’s finger. Apply ink to it and impress. When the
true skin is exposed, take photo after applying ink to the true skin or
drying it with an aqueous marker in water or alcohol.
d. Finger of Charred Body - in case where it is feared that they will
disintegrate by even the slightest, their photo shall be taken as they
are.
e. Mummified fingers - take their mold with silicon, make films with
strippable paint or cortex, and impress.

Seatwork

Instructions: Answer the following questions based on the lesson on producing and
recording real fingerprints.

Part A: Multiple Choice

1. Which method does not require advance preparation to use?

a) Plain Method
b) Rolled Method
c) Porelon Pad Method
d) Print-Matic Method

2. Which type of ink is NOT recommended for taking fingerprint impressions?

a) Black ink
b) Fountain pen ink
c) Quick-drying ink
d) Colored ink
3. When taking fingerprints, which direction should the thumbs be rolled?

a) Towards the subject’s body

b) Away from the subject’s body
c) In a circular motion
d) Vertically

Part B: Identification

1. Name the equipment that should be used to hold fingerprint cards in place.
2. Identify the tool that is 6 inches long and 2 inches in diameter, used for spreading ink
on the slab.
3. What is the height of the standard fingerprint stand?

Part C: True or False

1. When taking fingerprints, the operator should use a back-and-forth motion with the
roller. (True/False)
2. Fingers should be rolled 180 degrees to capture a complete fingerprint impression.
(True/False)
3. Excessively sweating fingers should be wiped with a lightly squeezed piece of gauze
containing formalin alcohol before taking impressions. (True/False)

Part D: Short Answer

1. List two types of temporary disabilities that may require extra attention when taking
fingerprints.
2. Describe the technique used for taking fingerprints from a mummified body.
3. What is the first step in preparing the slab for taking fingerprints?

Lesson 2
CHANCE FINGERPRINT IMPRESSIONS

Learning Objectives:
At the end of the lesson the students should be able to:
a. Understand the different types of chance impressions, including plastic,
visible, and latent prints, and their characteristics.

b. Identify and describe the various methods of collecting chance fingerprints

at a crime scene, such as the solid method, liquid method, gas method,
lifting method, flame method, molding method, and photographing method.
 c. Apply appropriate techniques and procedures for restoring objects to their
original state after fingerprint collection using different methods (solid,
liquid, gas, etc.).

▪ Chance Impressions - are fingerprints which are imprinted by mere chance or

without any intention to produce the print. Chance print may be

Plastic impression – impressions made by chance on cellophane tapes or any

plastic materials.

Visible prints – impressions made by chance and visible without chemical

treatment.

Latent prints – impressions which are visible grossly but made visible by the
addition of some substances. These are fingerprints found at the scene of a crime.

▪ Search for Scene of Fingerprint Impressions

In order to collect scene fingerprints, it is necessary to clarify where they were

impressed. Most scene fingerprints are usually found at the points of entry, and
departure, places ransacked, etc. Therefore, searching for scene fingerprints should
be made with emphasis on such places but be thoroughly made on their
surroundings. Further, there may be cases where a suspect uses gloves, wipes out
his fingerprint after committing a crime, or makes other actions in connection with
fingerprints. Thus, even when glove impressions or other traces of actions have
been found as result of a fingerprint search, it is necessary not to give up but to make
a thorough search all over the scene of the crime.

METHODS OF COLLECTING CHANCE FINGERPRINTS

▪ Solid Method (Powder Method) - also called the powder method since powder is
used, and is the most basic method. An example of the kind and properties of
powders commonly used are Aluminum silver and Aluminum black powder. Each
powder has its own properties of color, adhesiveness, grain size, etc. A suitable
powder is selected and used according to the conditions of impression and object.
Sometimes, two or more kinds of powder are used in mixture. This is called mixture
powder. By using mixture powder, color and adhesiveness can be adjusted. For
example, by mixing lead carbonate with indigo, the disappearance of fingerprints
lifted to gelatin paper can be prevented, while by mixing aluminum powder (gray) with
lycopodium, the excessive adhesion of aluminum powder (gray) can be prevented.

Powdering methods include:

Brushing method is a method where, after affixing powder to an object to be

examined with a brush (developing brush) to whose tip a small quantity of powder
has been affixed a fingerprint is developed by lightly sweeping it with another,
powder less brush (finishing brush) to remove excessive powder.

Rolling method is method where, after placing a proper quantity of powder on an

object to be examined, lightly moving it by bending and tilting, spreading out powder
all over the object to have powder adhere to the fingerprint, the fingerprint is
developed by flipping the back side of the object to remove excess powder.

Sprinkling or Tapping method where, after having powder adhere to a fingerprint

by lightly tapping the object to be examined, the fingerprint is developed by lightly
tapping a part of the object with one’s fist, etc. to remove excess powder.

Spraying method is a method where, after evenly spraying powder over the object
to be examined from a distance of approximately 30 cm, the fingerprint is developed
by removing excess powder by an air spray or with a brush, etc. This method is
suitable for cases where development is made from a porous or solid object using
lowly adhesive powder. In cases where development has been made by using
fluorescent powder, the effect is doubled if observed by utilizing an ultra-violet ray
emitter.

Light-striking method is a method where, after having powder adhere to a

fingerprint by, say, lightly striking the object to be examined with a brush tip to which
powder has been applied, the fingerprint is developed with another brush to which no
powder is applied or by air blowing with a blower-brush or a spray to remove excess
powder. This method is suitable for development from an object with a porous or
adhesive surface.

Lifting method – a collecting method by lifting fingerprint developed with powder

include methods employing cellophane tape, vinyl tape or other adhesive tape, and
methods employing silicon rubber.

a. The lifting technique with gelatin paper or lifter is as follows:

b. Cut gelatin paper or lifter to proper size.
c. Pull off the backing.
d. Direct the adhesive face toward the fingerprint.
e. Press on corner to the paper firmly to the object.
f. Press the rest of the paper to the object in stages, from the point already
affixed towards the fingerprint.
g. Press it lightly and evenly with your palm, etc. Less air should be trapped.
h. Peel it off after lifting.
i. Stick it to the backing in the same manner of lifting.

The lifting method using silicon rubber follows the following:

a. Stretch the above thinly and evenly onto a proper-sized piece of paper or
cloth.
b. Add 5-10% by volume of hardener to silicon base.
c. Mix them thoroughly.
d. Stretch the above thinly and evenly onto a proper-sized piece of paper or
cloth.
e. Apply above to a fingerprint to be lifted.
f. Press lightly and evenly with a palm, etc. to prevent bubbles from being
trapped.
g. Pull off after silicon has hardened.
 Take Note: Method of Restoration - When the fingerprint collection by solid
method is over, the object should be restored to its original state by removing powder
which has been affixed to it. This is called restoration. Wipe the object lightly with a
piece of cloth or a brush which contains 0.5-1% synthetic cleanser liquid or 2-5%
soap liquid.

▪ Liquid Method - In this method, affix some chemicals to latent or visible fingerprint to
cause a chemical change in the excreta elements, develop or clarify it, and then
record the print by photographing it. This method is effective for developing a latent
print from an object such as paper, wood or metal and to collect a visible fingerprint
such as a blood fingerprint. This is a chemical collecting method whose principle is
that the element of the chemical liquid reacts to the element in excreta or blood by
changing color.

Reagent (chemical liquid) - Reagents commonly used are ninhydrin, silver nitrate,
etc.

Method to affix reagent - include the painting method, soaking method and
spraying method.

a. The painting method is a method where an object is painted evenly with a

brush 9flat brush for liquid) with ample reagent to affix the reagent to the
fingerprints. This method is suitable for a large or solid object to be examined.

b. The soaking method is a method to affix reagent to fingerprints by soaking

an object to be examined into regent in a tray or other vessel. This method is
suitable for cases where a small object is to be examined for development.

c. The spraying method fills a sprayer for liquid with reagent. Spray evenly
over the object to be examined about 30 cm. From the nozzle for affixing the
reagent to the object. This method is applicable to three-dimensional as well
as flatsurfaced objects either large or small. The sprayer used for the thin
method should be capable of spraying as fine as mist as possible. A ninhydrin
sprayer is an aerosol-type sprayer exclusively for fingerprints which sprays
the reagent (0.5% acetone solution of ninhydrin) by means of pressurized
gas. Meanwhile, since silver nitrate reagent corrodes the metallic portions of
a sprayer, it should not be used in development by spraying method.

Take Note: Method of Restoration - When the fingerprint collecting work by

the liquid method is complete, the article should be restored to its original
state by removing fingerprints impressed thereon and stains produced by
development, this is called restoration.

Restoration methods vary according to types of reagent used for

development. For restoration of a case using silver nitrate reagent, the object
shall be washed in water after being soaked in 2% alcohol liquid of corrosive
sublimate.

▪ Gas Method - This is a method where a latent fingerprint is developed by means of

coloring by affixing gasified reagent or by causing chemical change in elements of
excreta, and then collected by photographing or by lifting onto lifting material. This
 method is suitable for developing fingerprints from papers, unpainted wood and
textiles.

Iodine is exclusively used as a reagent. The developed pattern disappears within a

few minutes. Therefore, reduction is unnecessary.

a. The methods of affixing the reagent include a method where gas is blown
on to an object to be examined using an iodine gas generator or a method
where gas is filled up into a box in which an object has been placed.
Also, there is another method where gas is blown into a vinyl bag in which
an object has been placed.
b. Since the fingerprint developed disappears within a few minutes, it is
collected by being photographed.
c. One of the recently developed methods is to develop a fingerprint in white
by affixing gas generated from cyan acrylic instant adhesive. It proves
effective for developing fingerprints from a blackish object, especially the
adhesive face of adhesive tape.

This method follows the following:

a. Apply cyanoacrylate to a plastic or similar plate.

b. The place on which a fingerprint is supposedly impressed shall be placed
and fixed face to face about 3 mm above the plate.
c. Leave it under a cover.
d. The fingerprint is developed about 3 minutes later at the earliest.
e. The developed fingerprint shall be collected by being photographed.

▪ Lifting Method - This method includes a method where a visible fingerprint is directly
lifted to lifting material, a method where a fingerprint which has been directly lifted is
processed with powder, chemical liquid, etc., and a method where a fingerprint is
lifted using lifting material processed in advance with chemical liquid, etc., and then
preserved as it is or photographed. These are effective for collecting dust fingerprints,
oil/grease fingerprints, and blood fingerprints.

Lifting material - All lifting materials used for lifting under the solid method, gelatin
paper, lifter, cellophane tape, transparent vinyl tape, and other adhesive tapes can
be used; but in most cases, gelatin paper is used.

Lifting method - The method of lifting directly to the lifting material is mostly used
for collecting a dust fingerprint or oil/grease fingerprints.

The method using processed lifting material is to lift the material to whose surface
chemical liquid etc. has been applied in advance. This method is used for collecting
an oil/grease fingerprint and a just fingerprint.

Major collecting methods by tape of visible fingerprint are:

Dust fingerprint - In cases where dust quantity is small, a fingerprint shall be lifted
directly to gelatin paper (black). Whenever the fingerprint has become unclear after
lifting, the transparent plate shall be peeled off and photograph shall be taken by
 lighting from the rear side, or the fingerprint shall be developed by having lycopodium
stick to the peeled backing by rolling method 7-9 days after lifting. Also, if the
transparent plate is peeled off after lifting, its impressed face is turned upwards, and
the plate is soaked in ethyl alcohol for 1-3 minutes, its gelatin film hardens and
further change is prevented.

Blood fingerprint - In cases where a blood fingerprint has just been impressed on a
non-absorptive object, it shall be directly lifted on gelatin paper. In cases whir lifting
is difficult as it has become slightly dryer, it is better to apply gelatin paper to and
lightly press the blood fingerprint following the technique of lifting, to peel off the
paper after moistening the blood, to stick aluminum powder or gray to the blood
fingerprint by brushing, and to lift it onto other gelatin paper.

Oil/grease fingerprint - When the surface is dry, it shall be collected by lifting it onto
roll lifter as it is. If not dry, it shall be lifted after drying in the shade. Meanwhile, in
cases of fluid oil/grease, a fingerprint cannot be collected by this method.

▪ Flame Method - This is a method of developing or clarifying by affixing soot to a

latent or unclear fingerprint. The developed fingerprint shall be collected by lifting in
onto lifting material or by photographing. This method is suitable for collection from
metal or other objects with a porous surface. Soot-generating materials (burning
material) include magnesium (photo flash powder), camphor, pine resin, benzene,
kerosene, edible oil, paraffin and candles.

▪ Molding Method - This is a method of collecting visible fingerprints with a molding

material, and is suitable for collecting from an object with so complicated and uneven
a surface that lifting with lifting material is unfeasible. This is also suitable for
collecting a latent fingerprint developed from a heated object. The molding materials
include silicon rubber, plaster, strippable paint, paraffin was, and plastic liquid.
Collection shall be made by taking a photograph or just preserving the mold.

▪ Photographing Method – the age of technology is being used to enhance latent

prints that before were of insufficient quality to be used. While image processing has
been used for some time, the high cost of computers precluded the use of such
technology in most crime laboratories. Major advances in the “microchip” industry
and the resulting proliferation of relatively inexpensive microcomputers have placed
this technology within the budgets of many laboratories.

Asynchronous

1. What are chance impressions?

2. What are plastic impressions?
3. What are visible prints?
4. What are latent prints?
5. What are the typical locations at a crime scene where chance fingerprints are likely to
be found?
6. Name three common powders used in the solid method of fingerprint collection.
7. What is the purpose of the brushing method in fingerprint collection?
8. Describe the rolling method in fingerprint collection.
9. What is the main chemical used in the liquid method of fingerprint collection for paper
surfaces?
10. What gas is commonly used in the gas method of fingerprint collection?
11. What is the purpose of restoration in fingerprint collection?
12. Name one method of restoration after using the solid method.
13. Name one method of restoration after using the liquid method.
14. What is gelatin paper used for in fingerprint collection?
15. How is the flame method used in fingerprint collection?
16. What is the molding method in fingerprint collection?
17. How are fingerprints on paper typically developed in the liquid method?
18. What is a key challenge when collecting fingerprints from excessively sweating
fingers?
19. What technique is used to collect fingerprints from mummified fingers?
20. Why is immediate photography necessary in the gas method of fingerprint collection?