FSC100 Chapter 4 Questions with Verified
Correct Answers
Why are fingerprints considered an infallible means of identification?
No two fingerprints have ever been found identical, even among millions sampled.
When do friction ridge patterns form, and do they ever change?
They form in the 3rd month of fetal development and never change except to enlarge or be
damaged by disease/mutilation.
Do identical twins have identical fingerprints?
No—same genetics, but different fingerprints.
What other body prints are unique to individuals besides fingerprints?
Palmprints, footprints, lip prints, and ear prints.
What is fingerprint identification called?
Dactyloscopy.
What are the three general fingerprint pattern classes?
Loops, whorls, and arches.
What percentage of the population has loops?
60-65%.
What percentage of the population has arches?
About 5%.
What percentage of the population has whorls?
,30-35%.
What are the types of loop patterns?
Ulnar (toward little finger) and radial (toward thumb).
What are the four major whorl pattern types?
Plain, central pocket loop, double loop, accidental.
What key identifying features are found in loops and whorls?
Core and delta.
What are the types of arch patterns?
Plain and tented.
What are minutiae?
Small ridge details like short ridges, bifurcations, dots, and ridge endings.
What feature ultimately confirms fingerprint identity?
The unique arrangement of minutiae.
What are fingerprints?
Reproductions of friction skin ridges on the palm side of fingers and thumbs.
Where else is friction skin found?
Palms and soles of the feet.
What creates the ridge pattern in fingerprints?
Ridges (hills) and grooves (valleys) in the epidermis + sweat gland pores.
What deposits fingerprint residue onto surfaces?
, Perspiration and oils from eccrine (sweat) glands.
What is fingerprint residue composed of?
Mostly water (~99%) + amino acids, proteins, glucose, salts, oils.
How do latent fingerprint development methods work?
Powders or chemicals react with substances in fingerprint residue.
Can criminals permanently remove friction ridges?
No—acid, surgery, and other methods fail; ridges grow back or remain readable.
What are palmprints used for?
Identification, especially in major case print files.
Why is there no large palmprint database?
Palmprints aren't routinely collected during arrests; only major case files include them.
What do major case print files contain?
Full rolled prints of all fingers, palms, sides of hands, and full handprints.
How are palmprints identified?
Same principle as fingerprints—unique minutiae patterns.
Why are newborn footprints becoming less common?
DNA identification has replaced foot printing as the routine method.
Who typically has footprints in databases?
Arrested individuals who do not have hands.
Are ear prints and lip prints accepted in forensic science?
Correct Answers
Why are fingerprints considered an infallible means of identification?
No two fingerprints have ever been found identical, even among millions sampled.
When do friction ridge patterns form, and do they ever change?
They form in the 3rd month of fetal development and never change except to enlarge or be
damaged by disease/mutilation.
Do identical twins have identical fingerprints?
No—same genetics, but different fingerprints.
What other body prints are unique to individuals besides fingerprints?
Palmprints, footprints, lip prints, and ear prints.
What is fingerprint identification called?
Dactyloscopy.
What are the three general fingerprint pattern classes?
Loops, whorls, and arches.
What percentage of the population has loops?
60-65%.
What percentage of the population has arches?
About 5%.
What percentage of the population has whorls?
,30-35%.
What are the types of loop patterns?
Ulnar (toward little finger) and radial (toward thumb).
What are the four major whorl pattern types?
Plain, central pocket loop, double loop, accidental.
What key identifying features are found in loops and whorls?
Core and delta.
What are the types of arch patterns?
Plain and tented.
What are minutiae?
Small ridge details like short ridges, bifurcations, dots, and ridge endings.
What feature ultimately confirms fingerprint identity?
The unique arrangement of minutiae.
What are fingerprints?
Reproductions of friction skin ridges on the palm side of fingers and thumbs.
Where else is friction skin found?
Palms and soles of the feet.
What creates the ridge pattern in fingerprints?
Ridges (hills) and grooves (valleys) in the epidermis + sweat gland pores.
What deposits fingerprint residue onto surfaces?
, Perspiration and oils from eccrine (sweat) glands.
What is fingerprint residue composed of?
Mostly water (~99%) + amino acids, proteins, glucose, salts, oils.
How do latent fingerprint development methods work?
Powders or chemicals react with substances in fingerprint residue.
Can criminals permanently remove friction ridges?
No—acid, surgery, and other methods fail; ridges grow back or remain readable.
What are palmprints used for?
Identification, especially in major case print files.
Why is there no large palmprint database?
Palmprints aren't routinely collected during arrests; only major case files include them.
What do major case print files contain?
Full rolled prints of all fingers, palms, sides of hands, and full handprints.
How are palmprints identified?
Same principle as fingerprints—unique minutiae patterns.
Why are newborn footprints becoming less common?
DNA identification has replaced foot printing as the routine method.
Who typically has footprints in databases?
Arrested individuals who do not have hands.
Are ear prints and lip prints accepted in forensic science?
