IDENTIFICATION

Dactylography:
(Also known as
Fingerprint system,
Galton’s system, &
Dermatoglyphics)
History:
• Finger print was first developed by an I.C.S
officer Sir William Herschel (1858).
• Study was systematized by Sir Francis
Galton (1892) and was further improved
by Sir Edward Henry
• World’s First fingerprint bureau was set
up in Calcutta.
What is Dactylography?
Dactylos – Finger & Graphein – Writing

The papillary or epidermal ridges on the tips

of thumb and fingers form a specific pattern.
The study of this pattern is called finger print
study or dactylography.
Principle:
• It appears between 12 and 16 weeks of
intrauterine life and the formation is
completed by 24 weeks
• The pattern of epidermal ridges remain
constant, from birth to death.
• No two individuals (not even identical twins)
have similar pattern. (Quetlet’s rule)
• Chances of two persons having similar
pattern are one in 64000 million.
• Finger prints are not inherited.
How fingerprints are produced?
Mode of Production:
• A constant stream of sweat covers the
skin and when the person is excited the
output of sweat increases .
• The fingerprint may contain oil excluded
by the sebaceous glands which is present
on the fingertips through touching
face, neck ,hair etc
• If any part of the fingertip is applied to a
smooth surface a greasy impression of its
pattern is made on it
Classification of finger prints
1. Arch
2. Loop
3. Whorl
4. Composite/Compound
1. Arch
• Incident of arch is 6- 7%
• Ridges start from one side and go to the
opposite side and there is a slight thrust
in the middle.
• Variation – an abnormally high medial
thrust causes the print to be tented arch.
Loop
• It is the most common type of finger print
incidence being 65 – 67 %
• Ridges come back to the same direction.
• The centre of the print is like a hair pin.
• Whole print is slanting downwards.
• Ulnar loop
The print is slanting towards the little finger.
About 90% loops are ulnar.

• Radial loop
The print is slanting towards the radial side
(thumb)
Whorl
• The incident is 20 -25 %
• Ridges are present in circular fassion.
a. Spiral
b. Circular /oval/elliptical whorl
Compound/Composite
• Incident is 5 -10 %
• When two or more finger prints coexist, it is
labeled as compound.
How to record fingerprints?
Technique of finger printing
1. A plain print is taken by applying ink to
the tips of fingers. And placing the finger
directly on paper.

2. The rolled finger print is taken by rolling

the finger on paper from outwards to
inwards in such a way as to obtain an
impression of the whole tip.
Types of finger print at crime scene

1. Latent print
2. Visible print
3. Plastic print
• Visible prints
It is formed by finger stained in blood or ink
or other medium
Latent print
It is an invisible or barely visible impression
left on a smooth surface.
Plastic print
It is an impression made on a soft surface
such as soap, cheese, etc.
Finger prints may be taken from almost any
surface of contact, including certain fabrics
as well as human skin.
Can fingerprints be destroyed?
•Minor, superficial injuries will not
destroy fingerprint pattern.

• But each ridge is also connected to

the inner skin by small projections
called papillae.
If these papillae are damaged, the
ridges are wiped out and the fingerprint
destroyed.
Methods of Fingerprint removal:
1. Injuries
2. Burns
3. Corrosives
4. Diseases like leprosy
5. Electrocution injury
6. Radiation injury
 Fingerprints in decomposed body
• Prints can be obtained from both dermis
and epidermis.

• In case of advance putrefaction and in

drowning the skin is removed , preserved
in formalin and used for impression .

• Histological section upto 0.6 mm from

the surface of the skin is satisfactory
 Medicolegal importance

Identification of suicides,
Recognition of impressions
deserters, dead unnamed
left at crime scene
bodies

MLI

Identification in case of
accidental exchange of Prevention of impersonation
newborns
Why fingerprinting is the best
system of Identification?
1. Most specific method.

2. Easy to record prints.

3. Easy to store and transfer data.

4. Comparison is also easy.

5. No sophisticated instruments are

required.
•Use of Fingerprinting in identification:
- Just comparing pattern is not sufficient.

- Atleast 16 points should be same to say it’s

match.
Poroscopy- Locard’s system of
identification
1. The ridges on fingers are studded with
microscopic pores, fromed by ductd of
subepidermal sweat glands
2. Each mm of ridge contains 9-18 pores
3. These pores are permanent and do not change
during life
4. This method of examining pores is called
poroscopy, and is useful when only fragments
of fingerprints are available
Lip prints: Cheiloscopy
•Fissures and grooves on the lips are
claimed to be characteristic of the
individual.

• Lip prints are divided into 8 patterns

24 characteristic details have been
established.

• Identification is proved if 7-9

characteristics tally.
Footprints: (Podogram):
1. Footprints
2. Shoeprints
- Newborn infants.
- Just like fingerprints
- Recorded in standing, running &
jumping position.
- Can comment about age, sex.
- Step length – males – 63-70cm
females – 45-55cm