Unit 23: Forensic evidence, collection and analysis
Name: Aishah’ Sofia Dirir Mahmoud
Teacher: Leah Carson
Assignment title:
Learning aim C: Conduct scientific analysis of physical, biological and chemical evidence
Learning aim D: Be able to justify methods, interpret findings and report on conclusions of forensic
techniques and analysis.
Submission: Resubmission
Date: 12/06/2025
Biological evidence- Fingerprint analysis
,What is fingerprint analysis? And what does this determine
The forensic technique of fingerprint analysis can personally identify someone through the
examination of individual ridge patterns found on fingertips. The patterns of fingerprints form
before birth and stay constant throughout life while no two individuals share the same patterns
even among identical twins. The analysis of fingerprints involves studying ridge flow patterns
and counting ridges as well as identifying distinctive features including bifurcations and scars
and imperfections. The identification process uses fingerprint types including loops, whorls and
arches to reduce potential matches. The investigation process involves matching crime scene
prints against suspect prints through their distinctive characteristics.
How is this carried out?
This is carried out by:
1. The first step involved studying fingerprint ridges to determine their general flow
direction across the fingertip.
2. We counted the number of ridges that connected key areas (such as the core and delta)
to determine the ridge density and structure.
3. A pen with a different colour than the print ink was used to draw the complete length of
a chosen ridge. The starting point and path direction and length of the ridge was
recorded along with its bifurcation (if it splits or moves in two different directions) and
where the ridge ends.
4. The fingerprint pattern was classified as either a loop, whorl, or arch while noting its
position within the overall fingerprint structure.
5. We examined the print for small distinctive features including creases and scars and
imperfections which would increase how unique the fingerprint is.
How does this help determine who committed a crime?
The thorough fingerprint process enables forensic experts to link fingerprints discovered at
crime scenes with suspects. The uniqueness of fingerprints enables investigators to conform
that the person physically touched the crime scene. The identification of a suspect at a
particular crime scene becomes possible through fingerprint analysis which supports other
forensic evidence and eyewitness statements. The presence of distinctive features including
scars and ridge splits increases the reliability of the match while ruling out other potential
suspects.
, Figure 1. Fingerprint analysis
What was concluded, why was this conclusion made? And evidence and statistics from the
results
The fingerprint on the gun matches G. Smith’s fingerprint because their ridge patterns and core
positions and minutiae details show identical characteristics. The gun print shows a central
whorl pattern that perfectly matches the whorl pattern found in G. Smith’s fingerprint. The gun
print does not match the fingerprints of S. Ghurami who has a right-sloping loop or O. Hassan
who has a left-sloping loop or L. Inez who has a plain arch. The gun print and G. Smith’s
fingerprint share at least 10 matching minutiae points which include a central core and 13
ridges between the core and delta and bifurcations at corresponding positions on the lower
right and upper left sides of the whorl. The consistent features in this evidence meet standard
forensic identification criteria which makes the evidence admissible in court. The fingerprint
analysis proves that G. Smith handled the weapon which investigators discovered at the crime
location. Based on the quantitative data which is the ridge count and minutiae match, along
with qualitative data like ridge flow and whorl type, the fingerprint evidence shows a strong
probability that G smith handled the gun.
The strong evidence of multiple matching characteristics together with no other potential
matches among the suspects makes it highly unlikely the fingerprint belongs to any other
person other than G.Smith. Forensic sciences shows that there is a one in 64 billion chance that
your fingerprint will match up exactly with someone's else's. The probability of G.Smith
touching the weapon stands at an extremely high level although there isn't absolute certainty.
The fingerprint evidence proves contact occurred but fails to provide information about the
specific circumstances (such as time or motive), therefore this evidence needs analysis with
additional forensic data to reach a complete understanding.
Evaluation of the technique and findings
Fingerprint analysis works as a scientifically validated forensic method which remains court-
admissible since over a century ago. The identification system operates based on the
Name: Aishah’ Sofia Dirir Mahmoud
Teacher: Leah Carson
Assignment title:
Learning aim C: Conduct scientific analysis of physical, biological and chemical evidence
Learning aim D: Be able to justify methods, interpret findings and report on conclusions of forensic
techniques and analysis.
Submission: Resubmission
Date: 12/06/2025
Biological evidence- Fingerprint analysis
,What is fingerprint analysis? And what does this determine
The forensic technique of fingerprint analysis can personally identify someone through the
examination of individual ridge patterns found on fingertips. The patterns of fingerprints form
before birth and stay constant throughout life while no two individuals share the same patterns
even among identical twins. The analysis of fingerprints involves studying ridge flow patterns
and counting ridges as well as identifying distinctive features including bifurcations and scars
and imperfections. The identification process uses fingerprint types including loops, whorls and
arches to reduce potential matches. The investigation process involves matching crime scene
prints against suspect prints through their distinctive characteristics.
How is this carried out?
This is carried out by:
1. The first step involved studying fingerprint ridges to determine their general flow
direction across the fingertip.
2. We counted the number of ridges that connected key areas (such as the core and delta)
to determine the ridge density and structure.
3. A pen with a different colour than the print ink was used to draw the complete length of
a chosen ridge. The starting point and path direction and length of the ridge was
recorded along with its bifurcation (if it splits or moves in two different directions) and
where the ridge ends.
4. The fingerprint pattern was classified as either a loop, whorl, or arch while noting its
position within the overall fingerprint structure.
5. We examined the print for small distinctive features including creases and scars and
imperfections which would increase how unique the fingerprint is.
How does this help determine who committed a crime?
The thorough fingerprint process enables forensic experts to link fingerprints discovered at
crime scenes with suspects. The uniqueness of fingerprints enables investigators to conform
that the person physically touched the crime scene. The identification of a suspect at a
particular crime scene becomes possible through fingerprint analysis which supports other
forensic evidence and eyewitness statements. The presence of distinctive features including
scars and ridge splits increases the reliability of the match while ruling out other potential
suspects.
, Figure 1. Fingerprint analysis
What was concluded, why was this conclusion made? And evidence and statistics from the
results
The fingerprint on the gun matches G. Smith’s fingerprint because their ridge patterns and core
positions and minutiae details show identical characteristics. The gun print shows a central
whorl pattern that perfectly matches the whorl pattern found in G. Smith’s fingerprint. The gun
print does not match the fingerprints of S. Ghurami who has a right-sloping loop or O. Hassan
who has a left-sloping loop or L. Inez who has a plain arch. The gun print and G. Smith’s
fingerprint share at least 10 matching minutiae points which include a central core and 13
ridges between the core and delta and bifurcations at corresponding positions on the lower
right and upper left sides of the whorl. The consistent features in this evidence meet standard
forensic identification criteria which makes the evidence admissible in court. The fingerprint
analysis proves that G. Smith handled the weapon which investigators discovered at the crime
location. Based on the quantitative data which is the ridge count and minutiae match, along
with qualitative data like ridge flow and whorl type, the fingerprint evidence shows a strong
probability that G smith handled the gun.
The strong evidence of multiple matching characteristics together with no other potential
matches among the suspects makes it highly unlikely the fingerprint belongs to any other
person other than G.Smith. Forensic sciences shows that there is a one in 64 billion chance that
your fingerprint will match up exactly with someone's else's. The probability of G.Smith
touching the weapon stands at an extremely high level although there isn't absolute certainty.
The fingerprint evidence proves contact occurred but fails to provide information about the
specific circumstances (such as time or motive), therefore this evidence needs analysis with
additional forensic data to reach a complete understanding.
Evaluation of the technique and findings
Fingerprint analysis works as a scientifically validated forensic method which remains court-
admissible since over a century ago. The identification system operates based on the
