TOPIC 10

PROBLEMS IN TAKING INKED FINGERPRINTS

INTRODUCTION

From time to time various problems arise concerning the taking of inked impressions. It is
believed that these problems can be divided into four phases namely mechanical operation,
temporary disabilities, permanent disabilities and general problems.

TOPIC CONTENT:

1. Mechanical operation
2. Illegible inked prints
3. Temporary disabilities
4. Permanent disabilities
5. Deformities

TOPIC OBJECTIVES:
This topic aims the students to:

1. Identify the problems affecting fingerprint taking and recording and identify solutions or
remedies on them.

TOPIC OUTCOME
At the end of the topic, the students will be able to:

1. Discuss the problems encountered in recording/taking of fingerprints

Mechanical operation

In order to take good fingerprints, the necessary equipment should be maintained in a neat and
orderly manner at all times.

Poor impressions are usually caused by one of the following faults:

1. The use of poor, thin, or colored ink, resulting in impressions which are too light and
faint, or in which the ink has run, obliterating the ridges. The best results will be obtained
by using heavy black printer's ink, a paste which should not be thinned before using. This
ink will dry quickly and will not blur or smear with handling.
2. Failure to clean thoroughly the inking apparatus and the fingers of foreign substances and
perspiration, causing the appearance of false markings and the disappearance of
characteristics. Windshield cleaner, gasoline, benzine, and alcohol are good cleansing
agents, but any fluid may be used. In warm weather each finger should be wiped dry of
perspiration before printing.
3. Failure to roll the fingers fully from one side to the other and to ink the whole area from
tip to below the first fissure. The result of this is that the focal points of the impressions

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 92
 (the deltas or cores) do not appear. The whole finger surface from joint to tip and from
side to side should appear.
4. The use of too much ink, obliterating or obscuring the ridges. If printer's ink is used, just
a touch of the tube end to the inking plate will suffice for several sets of prints. It should
be spread to a thin, even film by rolling.
5. Insufficient ink, resulting in ridges too light and faint to be counted or traced.
6. Allowing the fingers to slip or twist, resulting in smears, blurs, and false-appearing
patterns. The fingers should be held lightly without too much pressure. The subject
should be warned not to try to help but to remain passive.

Illegible inked prints

A brief review of the problems of classifying and filing a fingerprint card in the FBI will help to
clarify the FBI's policy concerning the processing of "bad" inked fingerprints.

The criminal fingerprint file contains the fingerprints of millions of individuals. The complete
classification formula is used. To obtain it, each inked finger must show all the essential
characteristics. Because of the immense volume of prints it has become necessary to extend the
normal classification formula.

In order to subdivide the 32 over 32 primary still further, the ridge count of the whorl of the right
little finger is used to obtain a final classification. The extension above the normal classification
formula indicates that each whorl is classified as to the type; namely, plain whorl (W), double
loop (D), central pocket loop (C), and accidental (X). Accordingly, it is not enough for the FBI
Identification Division to ascertain the general whorl pattern type, but the deltas and core must
show in order to obtain the ridge tracing, the type of whorl, and also, in some instances, the ridge
count.

Figures 366 to 377 are some examples of improperly and properly taken inked fingerprints.

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 93
 [Figs. 366-377]

An examination of figure 372 shows that it is a whorl. In order to classify the ridge tracing
accurately, however, so that the fingerprint card can be placed in the correct classification, the
left delta must show. The approximate ridge tracing for the whorl in figure 372 would be
Meeting. An examination of the properly taken fingerprint in figure 373 indicates that the correct
ridge tracing is Inner. It follows that the pattern in figure 372 would not have been placed in the
proper place in file.

The correct whorl tracing is needed to obtain the complete subsecondary and the major
classifications.

It may be noted that both deltas are present in figure 374. This would enable the technical expert
to ascertain the correct ridge tracing, Outer. In the core of the whorl, however, there is a heavy
amount of ink which makes it impossible to determine the type of whorl with any degree of
accuracy. If one were to hazard a guess, it would appear to be a plain whorl. Actually, the correct
type of whorl, a double loop, is clearly visible in figure 375.

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 94
It can be ascertained that the pattern in figure 376 is a loop, but an accurate ridge count cannot be
obtained because the left delta does not appear. The approximate ridge count of this loop is 14 to
16. This approximation is sufficient for a fingerprint expert to place this loop in the "O" group of
any finger of the subsecondary. The correct ridge count of this loop is 19, and it appears in
illustration 377. The approximate ridge count is not sufficient to place this print properly in the
large files of the FBI because in certain general complete classification formulas the accurate
ridge count is needed to obtain an extension. These extensions use a smaller grouping of ridge
counts to form a valuation table, and in this way, differ from the larger grouping of ridge counts
which form the basis of the subsecondary classification. These extensions are called the second
subsecondary and the special loop extension.

There are two additional points which illustrate the FBI's need for the delta, ridges, and core to
show clearly in loops. The first point is set forth: the ridge count of the loop may be needed to
obtain the key classification. The key classification is an actual ridge count, and no valuation
table is used to obtain a subdivision. The key classification is used as an integral part of the
fingerprint filing system. The second point is as follows: the ridge count may be needed to obtain
the final classification. The final classification is an actual ridge count, and no valuation table is
used to obtain a subdivision. The final classification is used as an integral part of the fingerprint
filing system.

Temporary disabilities

There are temporary disabilities affecting an individual's hand which are sometimes beyond the
control of the identification officer. These can be fresh cuts, or wounds, bandaged fingers or
finger, occupational (carpenters, bricklayers, etc.) blisters, and excessive perspiration. Children,
whose ridges are small and fine, would also come under this heading. Extreme care should be
exercised in fingerprinting the aforementioned.

An indication on the fingerprint card to the effect "fresh cut, bandaged" is not sufficient to file
the fingerprint card. It is obvious that a fingerprint card bearing these notations cannot be
properly classified and filed. The same situation would occur if there were a blister on an
individual's finger. The blister temporarily disfigures the ridge detail. When an injury is
temporary, the prints, if at all possible, should not be taken until after the injury has healed.

Occupational problems (bricklayers, carpenters, etc.) are definitely a challenge to the

Excessive perspiration can be controlled to some extent by the identification officer. Excessive
perspiration causes the inked impressions to be indistinct. It is suggested in these cases to wipe
the finger with a cloth and then immediately ink the finger and roll it on the fingerprint card.
This process should be followed with each finger. It is also suggested that possibly the fingers
could be wiped with alcohol, benzine, or similar fluid which would act as a drying agent.

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 95
In all the above situations, if it is not possible to accurately classify and file the fingerprint card,
the name appearing on the card will be searched in the alphabetical files and then returned to the
law-enforcement agency.

Permanent disabilities

Another phase involves permanent disabilities which can in most cases be controlled by the
identification officer. These can be lack of fingers (born without), amputations, crippled fingers
(bent, broken), deformities (webbed, extra fingers), and old age.

With respect to lack of fingers, it should be noted that some individuals are born without certain
fingers. The notation "missing" is not satisfactory because it does not sufficiently explain the
correct situation. It is suggested that "missing at birth" or some similar notation be made in the
individual fingerprint block on the card. A proper notation concerning this situation will prevent
the fingerprint card from being returned.

Concerning amputations, it is suggested that a proper notation to this effect appear in the
individual fingerprint block or blocks. It is suggested that if a portion of the first joint of a finger
is amputated, the finger should be inked and printed. A notation concerning this fact should be
made on the fingerprint card in the individual fingerprint block.

In those cases where all of the fingers are amputated, the inked footprints should be obtained.

The handling of crippled fingers and certain deformities can be discussed in a group because
they generally present the same problems. It is not sufficient in all cases to indicate "broken,"
"bent," "crippled." If the fingers are bent or crippled so that they are touching the palm and
cannot be moved, a notation to this effect should be on the fingerprint card in the proper
individual fingerprint block. However, it is believed that these extreme cases are rare. It is
suggested that the special inking devices used for taking the prints of deceased individuals be
used in taking inked impressions of bent or crippled fingers.

This equipment, which will be discussed more fully in the section on printing deceased persons,
consists of spatula, small roller, and a curved holder for the individual finger block. Figure 380
shows the spatula, roller, and curved holder. It should be further noted in figure 380 that there are

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 96
a strip of the entire hand of the fingerprint card and also individual finger blocks cut from the
fingerprint card. Each of these types can be used in connection with the curved holder.

Each crippled finger is taken as a separate unit and then the finger block pasted on a fingerprint
card. In figure 381, note the use of the spatula for applying the ink to a bent or crippled finger;
and in figure 382, observe the use of the curved holder for taking the "rolled" impression of a
bent or crippled finger.

Old age has been placed under permanent disability only for discussion purposes. The problem is
not encountered frequently in taking the fingerprints of individuals who are arrested. The
situation of crippled fingers due to old age may be met, and it can be handled as previously
suggested. In most cases the problems arise because of the very faint ridges of the individual. It
is believed that in the majority of cases, legibly inked prints can be taken by using a very small
amount of ink on the inking plate and by using little pressure in the rolling of the fingers.

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 97
Deformities

If a subject has more than 10 fingers, as occasionally happens, the thumbs and the next 4 fingers
to them should be printed, and any fingers left over should be printed on the other side of the
card with a notation made to the effect that they are extra fingers. When a person with more than
10 fingers has an intentional amputation performed, it is invariably the extra finger on the little
finger side which is amputated.

It also happens, not infrequently, that a subject will have two or more fingers webbed or grown
together, as in figures 383 and 384, making it impossible to roll such fingers on the inside. Such
fingers should be rolled, however, as completely as possible, and a notation made to the effect
that they are joined.

Split thumbs, i.e., thumbs having two nail joints, as in figure 385, are classified as if the joint
toward the outside of the hand were not present. In other words the inner joint is used, and no
consideration whatever is given to the outer joint.

General

These problems have dealt with the mechanical or operational processes. However, there are
other problems dealing with the completing of the descriptive information. The fingerprint card
may be returned because of the lack of information in the spaces provided, such as name, sex,

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 98
race, height, weight, etc. Any discrepancies in this information may necessitate the return of the
fingerprint card.

The success and value of the FBI's fingerprint files to all law enforcement agencies are
dependent, in a large measure, on the legibly inked fingerprints taken by law enforcement
agencies.

**END OF TOPIC 10**

Topic 10. Module in Forensic 2. Personal Identification Techniques. Prepared by: Jomel B. Pinera, Ph.D. Crim. Page 99