NCJ Number: 199517
Title: Significance of Using Level 1 Detail in Latent Print Examinations
Journal: Journal of Forensic identification Volume:53 Issue:2 Dated:March/April 2003 Pages:209-218
Author(s): Jeffrey Saviano
Date Published: March 2003
Page Count: 10
Type: Instructional Material
Format: Article
Language: English
Country: United States of America
Annotation: This article examines the use of fingerprint patterns and the
general flow of ridges in latent impressions as they pertain to
the inclusion or exclusion of possible donors.
Abstract: Ridge flow, or level 1 detail as explained by David Ashbaugh, is
the key to narrowing the field of possible donors regarding
certain friction ridge impressions found on evidence items or at
crime scenes. Although lacking the power to individualize, level
1 detail can lead to the elimination of numerous inked
fingerprint cards. All latent print examiners should be familiar
with the scientific method of forensic examination called ACE-V
(Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification). Using the ACE-V
method, the latent print is first analyzed as to ridge flow
(level 1 detail), deposition pressure, the substrate on which the
latent impression was deposited, the matrix or actual substance
deposited, the method of development or visualization, and the
anatomical aspects of the area of friction ridge skin that left
the impression. A similar analysis will be performed on the known
prints, particularly in any areas of distortion due to deposition
pressure. Following the analysis, the known prints are then
compared to the latent print. The first thing compared is the
level 1 detail (ridge flow) that was observed in the latent
print. If that ridge flow or pattern cannot be found in the known
prints, then the examiner can quickly move on to the evaluation
phase of the examination and declare that the latent impression
and the known impression did not come from the same source. The
ease with which exclusions can occur, however, introduces an
element of danger to a hasty examination. The examiner must
consider all of the factors that can bear upon the pattern of the
ridge flow observed in the latent and known prints, such as
partial prints, smudged or smeared impressions, and lateral
reversal of latent impressions. An examiner must consider all of
these factors before determining whether ridge flows in the
latent and known prints are a match. 3 figures and 3 references
Main Term(s): Police policies and procedures
Index Term(s): Fingerprint classification; Fingerprint image quality; Fingerprints; Investigative techniques; Latent fingerprints; Suspect identification
To cite this abstract, use the following link: http://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=199517
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