FRS531 - Exp 3 - Ahmad Zakwan Bin Kassim - 2021886994

FRS531: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE
EXPERIMENT 2: A LAB ON FINGERPRINTS

(LIFTING A LATENT PRINT)
NAME : AHMAD ZAKWAN BIN KASSIM
STUDENT ID : 2021886994
GROUP : AS2533A2
LECTURER’S NAME : SIR EZLAN BIN ELIAS
DATE OF SUBMISSION : 15 JANUARY 2022

OBJECTIVES
1. Students should be able to become familiar with the main features of human fingerprints.
2. Students should be able to develop skills in dusting and lifting latent fingerprints.
3. Students should be able to compare fingerprints of suspects to fingerprints lifted from a
simulated crime scene.
INTRODUCTION
Fingerprints are reproductions of the friction ridges in the skin found on the palms of the
fingers and thumbs. Visual inspection of the friction skin reveals a series of lines corresponding
to the ridges and grooves. The shape and shape of the ridges in the skin are what are considered
the black lines of the fingerprint. Fingerprints are an individual trait because no two fingers
have the same crest feature. A person's fingerprint will remain unchanged throughout an
individual's life, and it has common ridge patterns that allow it to be systematically classified.
Whenever two objects come into contact with each other, materials are exchanged between
them. The same applies when someone touches something, their fingerprint will be left. All
fingerprints are divided into three categories based on their common pattern: loops, arches and
whorls. The individuality of a fingerprint is not determined by its overall shape or pattern, but
by the careful study of ridge characteristics known as minutiae. Some of the common features
of fingerprint ridges are bifurcations, ridge endings, ridge dots and enclosures. In a legal
proceeding, an expert must demonstrate a point-by-point comparison to prove an individual's
identity.
PROCEDURE
Material needed:
1. Fingerprint hinge lifter
2. Black fingerprint powder
3. Black fingerprint magnetic powder
4. Squirrel tail brush
5. Cellophane tape for lifting prints
6. Glass or ceramic container from which prints can be lifted
7. A4 paper
PART A: CELLOPHANE TAPE

1. A clean, flat lightly colored surface was chosen to apply print.
2. The surface of your nose was wiped with your finger to collect more oil for a nice print, and
then the surface of the thing you'll be printing was touched. Try not to smudge your print by
applying firm pressure.
3. The powder brush was gently dipped into the fingerprint powder.
4. With a tiny, gentle circular squirrel tail brush, the surface of the printed item was softly
brushed. The brushing process was repeated until the print was clean.
5. Once a clear print was obtained, it was lifted and transferred to A4 paper as evidence using
cellophane tape.
6. The tape's tacky side was applied to the latent print. To ensure that the print is thoroughly
transferred, the tape was rubbed.
PART B: HINGE LIFTER

1. A clean, flat lightly colored surface was chosen to apply print.
2. The surface of your nose was wiped with your finger to collect more oil for a nice print, and
then the surface of the thing you'll be printing was touched. Try not to smudge your print by
applying firm pressure.
3. The powder brush was gently dipped into the fingerprint powder.
4. With a tiny, gentle circular squirrel tail brush, the surface of the printed item was softly
brushed. The brushing process was repeated until the print was clean.
5. The print was lifted with a hinge lifter once it was clean.
RESULTS AND DATA
A. FINGERPRINT LIFTED BY NORMAL CELLOPHANE TAPE (LEFT
THUMB)
FINGERPRINT LIFTED BY NORMAL CELLOPHANE TAPE

(RIGHT THUMB)
B. FINGERPRINT ON HINGE FINGERPRINT LIFTER (RIGHT
THUMB)
QUESTIONS
1. Using the fingerprints below, identify each of the following features; a lake,
bifurcation, island and ridge ending. Circle the feature and label it. You only
need to identify each feature once, and you may not need to use all of the
prints for this exercise. In addition, identify the fingerprint pattern (arch,
loop etc.) for each print.
Bifurcation Island Enclosure
Ridge ending
• For the first print is radial loop.

• Second print is double loop whorl.
• Third print is central pocket loop whorl.
• Fourth print is plain whorl.
• Fifth print is plain arch.
• The last print is tented arch.
2. Case Study 1: You are a forensic scientist investigating a homicide. You are
given an aluminum baseball bat used in the beating death of a gang member.
You manage to lift a partial latent print from the bat. Your job is to compare
the partial print to the fingerprints of 3 rival gang members suspected in the
beating death. Below is the partial print as well as the prints of the suspects.
Write a report summarizing the results of your investigation. In it, you
should include information on the latent print (basic fingerprint type and any
distinguishing characteristics) as well as the fingerprint of the suspect you
believe matches it (if any). You should describe the process by which you
found your match – for example, you may rule out some suspect prints
because they are not the same basic pattern as your latent print. You may cut
and paste the prints into your report if you wish and use them to indicate
what features you have identified. To get better resolution, you can view the
prints in Word and view them at 150%. You should also indicate how
confident you are in your results. Recall that most courts require 12 points to
match for it to be considered a match.
The partial latent impression of an aluminum baseball bat has been successfully lifted.
Upon investigation, I discovered that a partial print from the crime scene matched
Suspect B's lifted print. The following diagram compares the partial print to the lifted
print:
1 Hook 7 Ridge ending

2 Bifurcation 8 Island
3 Island 9 Bifurcation
4 Core 10 Island
5 Ridge ending 11 Bifurcation
6 Bifurcation 12 Dot
The partial print pattern is a loop based on a crime scene partial print. We have the
fingerprints of three suspects at the crime scene. They all have different fingerprint
patterns and characteristics. Suspect A and B's fingerprint pattern is a loop and Suspect
C's fingerprint pattern is a tented arch. Suspect C was disqualified because of a
discrepancy in his fingerprint pattern and part of the print from the murder scene. We can
detect the scar on the fingerprints of suspects A and B by observing the fingerprints
naturally. Next, we need to analyze and compare the minutiae of fingerprint of suspect B
and the partial print from the crime scene, we find that they match up to 98% because we
have 12 similar minutiae.
3. As stated earlier in the lab handout, there is some controversy over the
veracity of fingerprint evidence, particularly in light of the Daubert
standards. Imagine you are a trial judge faced with defense attorneys
arguing that fingerprint evidence should not be introduced in a trial because
no systematic study or studies have been conducted to determine the
accuracy with which a partial print can be matched to a fingerprint, and that
no uniform standards for determining whether a match exist. Briefly explain
your position on the admissibility of fingerprint evidence and explain
whether you feel the field of fingerprint analysis is a reliable science under
the Daubert guidelines.
As a trial judge, it is my responsibility to ensure that the trial I preside over is fair and
consistent with the law of the court, and to invoke sound evidence and the correct
method, and test accompanied by solid evidence. In court, the possibility of accepting
fingerprint evidence is accepted. Since it satisfies Daubert's requirements, the field of
fingerprint analysis is considered a reliable science according to Daubert's principles.
According to Daubert's criteria, fingerprint analysis is a reliable science whose reliability
can be and has been tested for a long time. There has never been a case where the
fingerprints of two people were found to be identical. Second, some forensic specialties
have seen as much information published as fingerprints and these papers are open to
other scientists for review. Finally, under Daubert, fingerprint analysis is a trusted
science because its reliability has been widely recognized by the scientific community
for more than a century.
DISCUSSION
In this experiment, three objectives just be achieved. All objectives were successful. In this
experiment, we will explore the importance of fingerprints in forensic investigation. This
technique has led to improved fingerprinting, facilitating identification and allowing detectives
to track criminals records. Experience teaches us that the uniqueness of a fingerprint is not
determined by its general shape or pattern, but by a detailed examination of its ridge
characteristics, commonly known as minutiae. Fingerprints were successfully lifted using
regular cellophane tape and hinge lifter based on this experience. The fingerprint details were
then reviewed. Since the fingerprint obtained from the hinge lifter seems quite obvious, it is
easier to uncover the minutiae. Bifurcation, dot, island, hook and ridge ending were among the
eight minutiae discovered. However, if less dust adheres to a regular cellophane strip before it is
placed on potential fingerprints, the experience could be improved.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, we were able to get acquainted with the main characteristics of human
fingerprints through this experiment. In addition, we can hone our skills in dusting latent
fingerprints and comparing right and left hand fingerprints.
REFERENCES
1. Hoover, J. E. (2021, July 30). fingerprint. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/fingerprint
2. Jones, G. W. (2007, March 17). Fingerprints — A True Science? Retrieved from

https://www.crime-scene-investigator.net/FingerprintScience.html
3. THAKKAR, D. (2006, October 21). Minutiae Based Extraction in Fingerprint Recognition.

Retrieved from BAYOMETRIC: https://www.bayometric.com/minutiae-based-
extraction-fingerprint-recognition/

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FRS531: PHYSICAL EVIDENCE

EXPERIMENT 2: A LAB ON FINGERPRINTS

NAME : AHMAD ZAKWAN BIN KASSIM

LECTURER’S NAME : SIR EZLAN BIN ELIAS

DATE OF SUBMISSION : 15 JANUARY 2022

PART A: CELLOPHANE TAPE

PART B: HINGE LIFTER

FINGERPRINT LIFTED BY NORMAL CELLOPHANE TAPE

Bifurcation Island Enclosure

• For the first print is radial loop.

1 Hook 7 Ridge ending

2. Jones, G. W. (2007, March 17). Fingerprints — A True Science? Retrieved from

3. THAKKAR, D. (2006, October 21). Minutiae Based Extraction in Fingerprint Recognition.

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