Under the powder or on top?

Abstract

My results are that the fingerprints left on the candy jar match the fingerprints of the suspect by the name of Jeremy Rubio. In this paper, I will demonstrate the importance in the role of fingerprinting and how it was used to try finding the thief that stole the candy from the jar.

General Information 

Fingerprints are used in many different ways such as background checks, mass disaster identification, biometric security and the most important one in forensic science is involves criminal cases. They have been used to identify suspects and help solve crimes. The problem with fingerprints is that since the oils of a print can dry or be smudged, it can disappear to the naked eye at the scene. The different types of fingerprints found are latent, where it needs to be developed to be seen by using fluorescent or black powder , also patent and plastic prints which is on a hard surface are both visible. In each fingerprint there are specific details, called minutiae, this is important because in identification they use certain words for each marking. There are patterns such as a whorl, loop, and arch. In addition, there are more patterns on the fingerprint reference chart called tentarch, double loop, right and left pocket loop, and a mixed figure.

Techniques and Materials

Click here for fingerprint lifting

Comparison Diagram and Explanation 

 

 

Fingerprints with florescent powder under UV light  v.s  Suspect Jeremy Rubio

In this diagram, keep in mind that the picture of the suspects fingerprints are a rotated reflection of the UV light picture. This shows the similarities in minutiae between the latent fingerprint of the left index finger and left middle finger compared to the suspect I found that matches. I made the diagram this way by using shapes to outline the different minutiae found in the both of the prints. For example, I used the diamonds to show fork-like bifurcation, triangles for the delta/ arch found, squares for endings ridges, arrows for each of the dots that look identical, stars to show where the finger bends with some endings ridges also showing the left loop ,finally hearts are used as a series of ending ridges in one area.

Conclusion

The fingerprints that are on the beaker belong to Jeremy Rubio, with almost certainty because as shown in the diagram, the minutiae of the left index and left middle finger are really similar in many ways. From this unit, I learned that ” no two fingerprints are identical ” is almost impossible, although it is proven in some criminal cases and I also learned what the word minutiae means and how forensics uses it to compare fingerprints details. I will use this information for the rest of my life if someone tries to say I committed a crime that I didn’t commit, my knowledge can be exercised through that experience. As the reader you should learn the importance of this method and try fingerprint lifting yourself to understand it better.