ACETONE
Solvent used as a carrier in reagents; also used as a cleaning agent.
ACETONITRILE
Solvent used as a carrier in reagents; also used as a cleaning agent.
AFIS
Automated Fingerprint Identification System.
ALTERNATE LIGHT SOURCE (ALS)
Any light source, other than a laser, used to excite the luminescence of latent prints, body fluids, etc., is now commonly referred to as a forensic light source.
AMIDO BLACK
Blue-black protein stain used to enhance bloody friction ridge detail.
ANALOG
Image representation by waveform variations, e.g., video tape recordings or silver halide photographs of fingerprints.
ANALYSIS
The methodical examination of friction skin impressions.
APIS
Automated Palm Print Identification System. A computerized system for storage, searching, and retrieval of known and latent palm print records based on friction ridge detail.
APOCRINE GLAND
A type of skin gland that is associated with the hair follicles.
APPENDAGE
An attachment or connection within friction ridges.
ARCH – PLAIN
a fingerprint pattern where the ridges enter the imprint from one side and exit from the other, often with a rise or wave in the middle.
ARCH -TENTED
a particular fingerprint pattern that has two of the three essential qualities of the loop—the angle and the up thrust—or both.
ARDROX
Fluorescent yellow dye used with UV light to visualize cyanoacrylate ester-fumed friction ridge detail.
BASIC YELLOW 40
Fluorescent yellow dye used with selected wavelengths of light to visualize cyanoacrylate ester fumed friction ridge detail.
BIFURCATION
The point at which one friction ridge divides into two friction ridges.
BIOMETRIC FINGERPRINTING
Digital image capture of friction ridges and/or a template from friction ridges.
BRIDGE
A connecting friction ridge between and at generally right angles to parallel running ridges.
BULB OF FINGERS (THUMBS, TOES)
The portion of the friction skin on the tips of fingers, thumbs, or toes in the distal phalanx, from one side of the nail to the opposite side of the nail.
CA or CAE
Cyanoacrylate Ester (Superglue). An adhesive used in a fuming method to develop friction ridge detail.
CARD-SCAN
Fingerprints and/or palm prints from fingerprint cards, palm print cards, etc. are electronically recorded. Sometimes referred to as a flat-bed scanner or dead-scan.
CARPAL DELTA AREA
Area of the palm containing a delta formation nearest the wrist.
CHARACTERISTICS
Features of the friction ridges. Commonly referred to as minutia(e), Galton detail, point, feature, ridge formation, ridge morphology.
CITRIC ACID
Chemical used in the preparation of Physical Developer and other friction ridge development reagents.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Characteristics used to put things into groups or classes, e.g., arches, loops, whorls.
CLASSIFICATION
Alpha/numeric formula of finger and palm print patterns used as a guide for filing and searching.
CLPE
Certified Latent Print Examiner (IAI)
CORE
The approximate center of a pattern.
COOMASSIE BLUE
Blue protein stain used to enhance bloody friction ridge detail.
CREASE
A line or linear depression; grooves at the joints of the phalanges, at the junction of the digits and across the palmar and plantar surfaces that accommodate flexion.
CROWLE’S DOUBLE STAIN
Blue protein stain used to enhance bloody friction ridge detail.
DELTA
That point on a ridge at or nearest to the point of divergence of two type lines, and located at or directly in front of the point of divergence.
DERMAL PAPILLAE
Peg-like formations on the surface of the dermis.
DERMIS
The layer of skin beneath the epidermis.
DFO
1,8-Diazafluoren-9-one. Compound that reacts with amino acids to produce friction ridge detail with fluorescent properties when exposed to excitation wavelengths of 352-591 nm.
DIGIT
A toe or finger.
DISSOCIATED RIDGES
Disrupted, rather than continuous, ridges; an area of ridge units that did not form into friction ridges.
DISTAL
Farthest away from the center or point of attachment. The direction away from the body.
DISTORTION
Variances in the reproduction of friction skin caused by pressure, movement, force, contact surface, etc.
DIVERGENCE
The separation of two friction ridges that have been running parallel or nearly parallel.
DOT
An isolated ridge unit whose length approximates its width in size.
DUCT
A tube or canal that delivers secretions or excretions.
DYSPLASIA
Ridge units that did not form complete friction ridges due to a genetic cause.
ECCRINE GLANDS
Sweat glands that open on all surfaces of the skin.
EDGEOSCOPY
Study of the morphological characteristics of friction ridges; contour or shape of the edges of friction ridges.
ELIMINATION PRINTS
Exemplars of friction ridge skin detail of persons known to have had access to the item examined for latent prints.
ENCLOSURE
A single friction ridge that bifurcates and rejoins after a short course and continues as a single friction ridge.
ENDING RIDGE
A single friction ridge that terminates within the friction ridge structure.
EPIDERMIS
The outer layer of the skin.
ERRONEOUS IDENTIFICATION
The incorrect determination that two areas of friction ridge impressions originated from the same source, also described as a false positive.
ETHANOL
Solvent used in preparation of reagents, dye stains and rinses (ethyl alcohol).
ETHYL ACETATE
Solvent used in the preparation of reagents and dye stains.
EVALUATION
The determination of the significance, value, or clarity of a friction ridge impression by careful observation and study.
EXEMPLAR
Friction ridge record of an individual, recorded electronically, photographically, by ink or other medium.
EXCLUSION
The determination that two areas of friction ridge impressions did not originate from the same source (non-identification).
FIBULA
The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg on the little toe side.
FINGERPRINT
An impression of the friction ridges of all or any part of the finger.
FINGERPRINT POWDERS
Powders used to visualize friction ridge detail; can be magnetic, non-magnetic, fluorescent, bichromatic, or a variety of mono-chromatic types.
FLUORESCENCE
Emission of light, resulting from the absorption of radiation from another source.
FLUORESCEIN
Fluorescent reagent used to develop bloody friction ridge detail.
FOCAL POINTS
Those areas that are enclosed within the pattern area of loops and whorls. They are also known as the core and the delta.
FRICTION RIDGE
A raised portion of the epidermis on the palmar or plantar skin, consisting of one or more connected ridge units of friction ridge skin.
RICTION RIDGE DETAIL (MORPHOLOGY)
An area comprised of the combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure.
FURROWS
Valleys or depressions between the friction ridges.
GALTON DETAILS
Term referring to friction ridge characteristics attributed to the research of English fingerprint pioneer, Sir Francis Galton.
GENTIAN VIOLET
Violet stain used to develop or enhance friction ridge detail, which can be viewed by either fluorescence or nonfluorescence. Also known as Crystal Violet.
GLACIAL ACETIC ACID
Chemical used in the preparation of reagents and dye stains.
GUN BLUEING
A solution consisting of acetic acid, selenious acid and cupric salt, used to develop friction ridge detail on metal surfaces.
HENRY CLASSIFICATION
A system of fingerprint classification named for Sir Edward Richard Henry (1850 -1931).
HYPOTHENAR AREA
The friction ridge skin on the palm, below the interdigital area on the ulna side of the palm.
IAFIS
Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System. The FBI’s national AFIS.
INCIPIENT RIDGE
A friction ridge not fully developed which may appear shorter and thinner in appearance than fully developed friction ridges (interstitial, nascent).
INDIVIDUALIZATION
The determination that corresponding areas of friction ridge impressions originated from the same source to the exclusion of all others (identification).
INFRARED
Light wavelengths longer than the visible spectrum, 700 to 1,000,000 nm.
INHERENT LUMINESCENCE
Luminescence resulting from selected wavelength illumination without chemical treatment.
INTERDIGITAL
Palmar area below the fingers and above the thenar and hypothenar areas.
INTERVENING RIDGES
The number of friction ridges between two characteristics.
IODINE
Element used as either a vapor or solution; binds with fats and oils to visualize friction ridge detail.
ISOPROPANOL (ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL)
Solvent used in the preparation of reagents.
KNOWN PRINT (FINGER, PALM, FOOT)
a representation of a person’s friction ridges using black ink, electronic imaging, photography, or another medium on a background of contrast.
LATENT PRINT
Transferred impression of friction ridge detail not readily visible; generic term used for questioned friction ridge detail.
LCV
Leucocrystal violet. Reagent used to detect/enhance bloody friction ridge detail by either fluorescent or non fluorescent staining.
LEVEL 1 DETAIL
Friction ridge flow and general morphological information.
LEVEL 2 DETAIL
Individual friction ridge paths and friction ridge events, e.g., bifurcations, ending ridges, dots.
LEVEL 3 DETAIL
Friction ridge dimensional attributes , e.g., width, edge shapes, and pores.
LIFT
An adhesive or other medium on which recovered friction ridge detail is preserved.
LIQUI-DROX
Fluorescent yellow solution used to develop friction ridge detail on the adhesive and non-adhesive sides of dark colored tape.
LIQUI-NOX®
Detergent used in a solution to develop friction ridge detail on the adhesive and non-adhesive sides of tape; cleaning agent.
LIVE-SCAN
Electronic recording of friction ridges (fingers and/or palms).
LOOP – ULNAR
a pattern in which one or more ridges enter on either side, recurve, contact, or cross an imaginary line between the core and the delta, and exit on the same side they entered—or have a tendency to exit on that side. The pattern’s flow is in the direction of the forearm’s ulna bone (toward the little finger).
LOOP – RADIAL
a pattern in which one or more ridges enter on either side, recurve, contact, or cross an imaginary line between the core and the delta, and exit on the same side they entered—or have a tendency to exit on that side. The pattern’s flow is in the direction of the forearm’s radius bone (toward the thumb).
LPE
Latent Print Examiner
LUMINESCENCE
Emission of light by energy from non-thermal sources (i.e., chemical, biochemical, electrical), including both fluorescence and phosphorescence.
MAJOR CASE PRINTS
a thorough documentation of every friction ridge detail found on the palmar sides of the hands. This covers the joints, tips, and sides of the fingers as well as the extreme sides of the palms.
MBD
7-(P-Methoxybenzlamino-4Nitrobenz-2-Oxa-1,3-Diazole). Yellow dye which produces a fluorescent product when exposed to selected wavelengths of light; used to visualize cyanoacrylate fumed friction ridge detail.
MEDIAL
At or near the center.
METHANOL (METHYL ALCOHOL)
Solvent used as a carrier in reagents, dyes, stains, and rinses; also used as a cleaning agent.
MMD
Multimetal Deposition. Two step process using a colloidal gold and a modified Physical Developer solution to visualize friction ridge detail.
MOLYBDENUM DISULFIDE
Chemical used in the preparation of Small Particle Reagent (SPR).
NCIC
National Crime Information Center.
NCIC CLASSIFICATION
An alpha/numeric system of fingerprint classification.
NINHYDRIN
1,2,3-triketohydrindine hydrate. Reagent that reacts with amino acids to develop friction ridge detail.
NIST
National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce.
NITRIC ACID
Acid used in a fuming technique to visualize friction ridge detail on select metal surfaces.
NON-POROUS
Non-absorbent.
PALM (PALMAR AREA)
The friction ridge skin area on the side and underside of the hand.
PAPILLAE
Peg-like structures of the dermis.
PAPILLARY RIDGES
Orderly rows of eccrine glands positioned along the path of the friction ridge.
PATENT PRINT
Friction ridge impression of unknown origin, visible without development.
PATHOLOGY
The study of causes, nature, and effects of diseases, trauma, and other abnormalities.
PATTERN AREA (CLASSIFICATION)
In the distal phalange of the fingers, the configuration of friction ridges that are utilized in classification.
PATTERN FORMATIONS
Friction ridge skin arrangements formed as early as the third month of gestation.
PETROLEUM ETHER
Solvent used as a carrier in reagents; also as a rinse or cleaning agent.
PHALANGE (PHALANX)
A finger or toe, with proximal, medial and distal segments. Any bones in the fingers or toes.
PLANTAR AREA
The friction ridge skin area on the side and underside of the foot.
POLYMERIZATION
Chaining together many simple molecules to form a more complex molecule with different physical properties.
PORES
Small openings on friction ridges through which body fluids are released.
POROSCOPY
A study of the size, shape and arrangement of pores.
POROUS
Absorbent.
2-PROPANOL
Solvent used in preparation of reagents.
PROXIMAL
Situated at the closest point of attachment; direction toward the body.
RADIAL
The smaller of the two bones of the forearm, on the same side as the thumb.
RAM
Combination of Rhodamine 6G, Ardrox, and MBD dyes, which fluoresce when exposed to selected wavelengths of light; used to visualize cyanoacrylate fumed friction ridge detail.
REAGENT
Substance used in a chemical reaction to detect, examine, measure, or produce other substances.
RELATIVE POSITION
Proximity of characteristics to each other.
RHODAMINE(S)
Family of dyes that produce fluorescence when exposed to selected wavelengths of light; used to visualize cyanoacrylate fumed friction ridge detail.
RIDGE APLASIA
Congenital absence of friction ridge skin.
RIDGE FLOW
The direction of a series of adjacent friction ridges. See Level 1 Detail.
RIDGE HYPOPLASIA
Underdeveloped ridges associated with an excess of creases.
RIDGE PATH
The directional flow of a single friction ridge. Also see Classification Terms glossary.
RIDGEOLOGY
The study of the uniqueness of friction ridge skin and its use for personal identification (individualization).
RUHEMANN’S PURPLE
Colored compound that is the product of the reaction between amino acids and ninhydrin.
RUVIS
Reflected Ultra-Violet Imaging System that allows visualization of friction ridge detail from the ultraviolet spectrum.
SAFRANIN O
Red dye which produces fluorescence when exposed to selected wavelengths of light; used to visualize cyanoacrylate fumed friction ridge detail.
SCAR
A mark remaining after the healing of a wound.
SEBACEOUS GLAND
An oil-secreting gland generally associated with a hair follicle.
SEQUENTIAL PROCESSING
Use of a series of development techniques in a specific order to maximize development of friction ridge data
SHORT RIDGE
A single friction ridge beginning, traveling a short distance, and ending.
SILVER NITRATE
Chemical used in the Physical Developer, Multimetal Deposition and Silver Nitrate processes. Used alone, silver nitrate reacts with salt to develop friction ridge detail.
SKIN
The outer covering of the body consisting of the dermis and epidermis.
SODIUM HYPOCHLORITE (HOUSEHOLD BLEACH)
Solution used to clear ninhydrin stains and to darken the silver deposits of Physical Developer.
SPLIT THUMB
Thumb that has conjoined distal phalanges.
SPR
Small Particle Reagent. Suspension in which molybdenum disulphide adheres to fats and oils, allowing for visualization of friction ridge detail.
SPUR
A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge.
STICKY SIDE POWDER™
Product used to develop friction ridge detail on adhesive surfaces and/or tapes.
STOCK SOLUTION
Concentrated solution diluted to prepare a working solution.
SUBSTRATE
Surface upon which a friction ridge impression is deposited.
SUDAN BLACK
Black dye that stains fats, oils, sebaceous components, and contaminants of friction ridge residue; can enhance cyanoacrylate fumed friction ridge detail.
SUFFICIENT RECURVE
The space between the shoulders of a loop, free of any appendages that abut upon the recurve at a right angle on the outside.
5-SULFOSALICYLIC ACID
Chemical used in fixative solutions for a variety of blood enhancement reagents.
THENAR AREA
The large cushion of the palm located at the base of the thumb.
THERMOPLASTIC POWDER
Toner powder used in copiers and printers.
TIFF
Tagged Image File Format. An image file format. The “.tif” extension used for TIFF files.
TRAUMA
Injury or damage.
TRIFURCATION
The point at which one friction ridge divides into three friction ridges.
TYPE LINES
The two innermost ridges associated with a delta that are parallel, diverge, and surround or tend to surround the pattern area.
ULNA
The larger of the two bones of the forearm, on the palmar side of the little finger.
ULTRAVIOLET
Wavelengths of light shorter than that of the visible spectrum, between 10 and 400 nm.
VACUUM CYANOACRYLATE ESTER
Fuming method, conducted under vacuum conditions, in which cyanoacrylate polymerizes on friction ridge residue; used to visualize friction ridge detail.
VERIFICATION
Peer review or confirmation of an examiner’s conclusion by another qualified examiner.
VMD
Vacuum Metal Deposition. Process of selective condensation of metals under vacuum conditions; used to visualize friction ridge detail.
VOLAR
Related to the palmar and plantar surfaces.
VOLAR PADS
Palmar and plantar fetal tissue growth that affects friction ridge skin development and patterns.
WHORL – ACCIDENTAL
a fingerprint pattern that combines two distinct pattern types, with the exception of the plain arch and two or more deltas; a pattern that meets some of the criteria for two or more distinct types; or a pattern that doesn’t fit any of the descriptions.
WHORL – CENTRAL POCKET LOOP
A fingerprint pattern that consists of two deltas and at least one ridge that forms or has the tendency to form a complete circuit and can take the form of a spiral, oval, circle, or any other variation of a circle. Any re-curving ridges inside the inner pattern region must not be touched by or crossed by an imaginary line connecting the two deltas.
WHORL – DOUBLE LOOP
A type of fingerprint pattern that consists of two separate loop formations with two separate and distinct sets of shoulders and two deltas.
WHORL – PLAIN
A type of fingerprint pattern which consists of one or more ridges which make, or tend to make, a complete circuit, with two deltas, between which, when an imaginary line is drawn, at least one re-curving ridge within the inner pattern area is cut or touched.
WORKING SOLUTION
Solution at the proper dilution for processing.
ZINC CHLORIDE
A metal salt used to treat ninhydrin developed latent prints.
ZINC NITRATE
A metal salt used to treat ninhydrin developed latent prints.
