Forensics Fingerprints Test Comprehensive Questions and Answers /
2023/2024
Define the following: - ANSW - Patent fingerprint: a visible fingerprint produced when fingers coated
with blood, ink, or some other substance touch a surface and transfer their print to that surface
Latent fingerprint: a concealed fingerprint made visible through the use of powders or forensic
techniques
Plastic fingerprint: a three-dimensional fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap, or putty
Who is John Dillinger and what did he do to try to remove his fingerprints? - ANSW - He tried to use
acid to burn off his fingerprints after he heard that people who worked handling pineapples had their
fingerprints removed. But he realized that once they stop that job for a while, the fingerprints become
more visible.
How long does it take for a computer to match fingerprints? - ANSW - 10-15 minutes
Who verified that fingerprints do not change with age? - ANSW - Francis Galton
What percent of latent prints at a crime scene come from the palm or side of the hand? - ANSW - 20-
30%
In western culture, the earliest record of the study of the patterns on human hands comes from? -
ANSW - 1684 from Nehemiah Grew
Who is Pudd'nhead Wilson, and why is he important to fingerprints? - ANSW - He is a character
invented by Mark Twain who popularized the study of fingerprints as identification
Fingerprint collection began in 1856 by? - ANSW - William Herschel
In 1879, the assistant clerk in the records office at the police station in Paris created a way to identify
criminals. The system was first used in 1883 to identify repeat offenders. The name of the clerk who
invented the system was? - ANSW - Alphonse Bertillon
, In 1888, Sir Francis Galton, along with Sir E.R. Henry developed the classification system for fingerprints
that is still in use today in what 2 places? - ANSW - The US and Europe
Beginning in 1896, Sir Edmund Richard Henry, with the help of two colleagues, created a system that
divided fingerprint records into groups based on 3 patterns called? - ANSW - Spirals (whorls), loops,
arches
The imprint of a fingerprint consists of what? - ANSW - Sweat and oils secreted from the friction ridges
Describe how and when fingerprint ridges form. - ANSW - They are formed at the beginning of the 10th
week of gestation as the basal layer of skin grows and folds into shapes
What are the two different loop directions? - ANSW - Radial (right hand towards the thumb) and Ulnar
(left hand towards the pinkie)
What are the 4 types of whorls? - ANSW - Plain whorl
Central pocket loop whorl
Double loop whorl
Accidental whorl
What are the 2 types of arches? - ANSW - Plain arch
tented arch
Every individual, including identical twins, has a unique fingerprint due to unique ridge patterns called? -
ANSW - Minutiae
To recover a fingerprint from a surface that is not smooth and hard requires different chemicals. The
chemical used purely for paper is? - ANSW - ninhydrin
2023/2024
Define the following: - ANSW - Patent fingerprint: a visible fingerprint produced when fingers coated
with blood, ink, or some other substance touch a surface and transfer their print to that surface
Latent fingerprint: a concealed fingerprint made visible through the use of powders or forensic
techniques
Plastic fingerprint: a three-dimensional fingerprint made in soft material such as clay, soap, or putty
Who is John Dillinger and what did he do to try to remove his fingerprints? - ANSW - He tried to use
acid to burn off his fingerprints after he heard that people who worked handling pineapples had their
fingerprints removed. But he realized that once they stop that job for a while, the fingerprints become
more visible.
How long does it take for a computer to match fingerprints? - ANSW - 10-15 minutes
Who verified that fingerprints do not change with age? - ANSW - Francis Galton
What percent of latent prints at a crime scene come from the palm or side of the hand? - ANSW - 20-
30%
In western culture, the earliest record of the study of the patterns on human hands comes from? -
ANSW - 1684 from Nehemiah Grew
Who is Pudd'nhead Wilson, and why is he important to fingerprints? - ANSW - He is a character
invented by Mark Twain who popularized the study of fingerprints as identification
Fingerprint collection began in 1856 by? - ANSW - William Herschel
In 1879, the assistant clerk in the records office at the police station in Paris created a way to identify
criminals. The system was first used in 1883 to identify repeat offenders. The name of the clerk who
invented the system was? - ANSW - Alphonse Bertillon
, In 1888, Sir Francis Galton, along with Sir E.R. Henry developed the classification system for fingerprints
that is still in use today in what 2 places? - ANSW - The US and Europe
Beginning in 1896, Sir Edmund Richard Henry, with the help of two colleagues, created a system that
divided fingerprint records into groups based on 3 patterns called? - ANSW - Spirals (whorls), loops,
arches
The imprint of a fingerprint consists of what? - ANSW - Sweat and oils secreted from the friction ridges
Describe how and when fingerprint ridges form. - ANSW - They are formed at the beginning of the 10th
week of gestation as the basal layer of skin grows and folds into shapes
What are the two different loop directions? - ANSW - Radial (right hand towards the thumb) and Ulnar
(left hand towards the pinkie)
What are the 4 types of whorls? - ANSW - Plain whorl
Central pocket loop whorl
Double loop whorl
Accidental whorl
What are the 2 types of arches? - ANSW - Plain arch
tented arch
Every individual, including identical twins, has a unique fingerprint due to unique ridge patterns called? -
ANSW - Minutiae
To recover a fingerprint from a surface that is not smooth and hard requires different chemicals. The
chemical used purely for paper is? - ANSW - ninhydrin
