ABSTRACT
The student will learn how to identify, dust, and lift fingerprints. Fingertips are made up of friction ridges, which are raised strips of skin. These strips help us to grip things. There are three main types of fingerprint patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. Loops are found in 65% of the population, while 30% of the population has whorls, and 5% of the population has arches. A fingerprint is identified as a loop when the ridges begin and end on the same side of the fingertip they started out on. When fingerprint examiners compare two fingerprints they look for common characteristics. The ridges on our fingers contain perspiration, oils, and amino acids, which are present on our skin. The student will be placing an inked finger on a balloon and enlarging it to better see the print pattern. When the powder adheres to the oils left behind from the fingertip, the hidden fingerprint becomes visible.
