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Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison
ISBN 0-9661970-3-8
Published 2000
by Gary W. Jones
Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison was written by retired FBI Supervisory Fingerprint Specialist Gary W. Jones. This 87 page 5 ½" by 8 ½" book is a valuable text in learning the basic skills in fingerprint comparison. Examples and quizzes give the reader a solid foundation on which to build comparison skills.
Message from the Author
The comparison of fingerprints, especially latent fingerprints (palm prints, footprints), can be the single most difficult task in all the fingerprint science. No matter how skillful an individual may be in all the related areas, it is the additional ability to accurately compare latent prints against known prints that allows the examiner to be called a fingerprint expert. This ability is gained through training, knowledge, experience and work under the guidance of a qualified fingerprint expert(s).
Fingerprint comparison is a skill that can be acquired by almost anyone who expends the required effort, which can be very demanding. It is difficult, but it's not rocket science. If you are just beginning, don't get discouraged you can do it!
Speed and accuracy of comparisons are the natural results of being aware of fundamental techniques.
This book is not a comprehensive examination of the entire spectrum of fingerprint comparison. The information contained in this book is designed for the novice; the individual who has never compared fingerprints, but wants a foundation on which to build comparison skills. Many advanced techniques for comparing fingerprints are not addressed in this book.
After mastering the basic principles of fingerprint comparison, the only way to learn how to fully compare prints is to continue comparing while receiving additional instruction in the more advanced techniques. The person entering this field must continually seek out every opportunity to observe, compare and study fingerprints. This is also true of the most experienced expert.
The work of the fingerprint expert is serious business. It is a tremendous responsibility and a privilege to be validated in a court of law as an expert and allowed to give an opinion as to the identity of a fingerprint. This privilege and responsibility is never to be taken lightly. In an effort to make some highly technical material a little easier to understand, I have written this book in a somewhat lighthearted vein. This is not meant to indicate that I believe the comparison of fingerprints, or any other aspect of the fingerprint science, is to be approached in anything less than a solemn, serious manner.
This book is also a "no-frills" presentation on the subject of latent fingerprint comparison. Common language will be used. That is not meant to suggest that the knowledge of the proper scientific terms and descriptions common to the fingerprint science is not important. It is important, which is why a glossary of these terms is included in the back of this book.
Contents Include
CHAPTER 1-- Ethical Conduct in Fingerprint ExaminationsCHAPTER 2 -- Physical Aspects of Fingerprint Comparisons
CHAPTER 3 -- Equipment
- Comparison magnifiers
- Reticles
- Ridge counters
- Purpose of classification
- Loops
- Ridge counting
- Arches
- Whorls
- Tracing whorls
- Henry classification formula
- NCIC classification
- Ridge characteristics
- Number of points needed to identify a fingerprint
- Ridge flow direction
- The structure of ridges
- Uniqueness in ridge arrangements
- Analyzing latent prints
- Relative position
- Comparing latent fingerprints
- Proper orientation
- Simultaneous impressions
- Pattern tendencies
- Tips of fingers
- Sides of fingers
- Lower joint areas of fingers
- Double impressions
- Inconclusive comparisons
- Palm prints
- Scars and creases
- Incipient ridges
CHAPTER 7 -- Notes
- You've Only Just Begun
ANSWERS TO QUIZZES
About the Author
Gary Jones has been actively engaged in fingerprint work since entering on duty with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1964. At the time of his retirement in 1997 he was a Supervisory Fingerprint Specialist in the Latent Fingerprint Section. Currently he operates a private fingerprint consulting business, "Gary W. Jones Fingerprint Services," in Summerfield, Florida.
On numerous occasions Mr. Jones has presented fingerprint testimony in federal, state and local courts throughout the United States and has been accepted as an expert in each instance. He has instructed federal, state and local law enforcement personnel throughout the United States in all aspects of the fingerprint science, including the presentation of expert courtroom testimony.
Gary Jones has written articles relating to the fingerprint science and has been published in the International Association for Identification's (IAI) publication "The Journal of Forensic Identification." He is also the co-author of the FBI's Latent Fingerprint Training Manual. Mr. Jones is a member of the IAI, the Florida Division of the IAI, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Division of the IAI.