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Advances in Fingerprint Technology.pdf

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The U.S. Government set presented evidence support<strong>in</strong>g three premises<br />

of the science of friction ridge (f<strong>in</strong>gerpr<strong>in</strong>t) identification, as follows: 2<br />

PREMISE 1 — Human friction ridges are unique and permanent.<br />

The scientific basis for uniqueness and permanence beg<strong>in</strong>s with<br />

understand<strong>in</strong>g friction ridge sk<strong>in</strong> development. The sciences of<br />

biology, embryology, and genetics are keys to understand<strong>in</strong>g this<br />

development. Fetal development of friction ridge sk<strong>in</strong> has been<br />

extensively studied and documented. Factors affect<strong>in</strong>g friction ridge<br />

variability <strong>in</strong>clude both genetics and the <strong>in</strong>tra-uter<strong>in</strong>e environment.<br />

Each unique ridge formation is caused by random growth.<br />

Friction ridges form dur<strong>in</strong>g gestation and the f<strong>in</strong>al configuration and<br />

development is complete prior to birth. This configuration persists<br />

throughout life except when damage occurs to the basal layer of the<br />

epidermis.<br />

The proliferation of sk<strong>in</strong> growth dur<strong>in</strong>g gestation accounts for the<br />

variability <strong>in</strong> human friction ridges, thus establish<strong>in</strong>g uniqueness.<br />

Friction ridges are unique to the <strong>in</strong>dividual ridge.<br />

The biological development of friction ridges establishes the scientific<br />

basis for uniqueness and permanence. Each friction ridge is unique.<br />

PREMISE 2 — Human friction ridge arrangements are unique and<br />

permanent.<br />

As with a s<strong>in</strong>gle friction ridge, the proliferation of sk<strong>in</strong> growth dur<strong>in</strong>g<br />

gestation accounts for the variability <strong>in</strong> human friction ridge<br />

arrangement. The aggregate of the ridges permits <strong>in</strong>dividualization.<br />

Pattern or class characteristic ridge arrangement is genetically based;<br />

unique ridge relationship is caused by random growth.<br />

Friction ridge detail represented <strong>in</strong> impressions is observed <strong>in</strong> three<br />

levels. Ridge paths may conta<strong>in</strong> Level 1, 2, or all 3 levels as follows:<br />

Level 1 <strong>in</strong>cludes the general ridge flow and pattern configuration.<br />

Level 1 detail is not sufficient for <strong>in</strong>dividualization, but can be<br />

used for exclusion.<br />

Level 1 detail may <strong>in</strong>clude <strong>in</strong>formation enabl<strong>in</strong>g orientation, core<br />

and delta location, and dist<strong>in</strong>ction of f<strong>in</strong>ger vs. palm.<br />

Level 2 detail <strong>in</strong>cludes formations, def<strong>in</strong>ed as ridge end<strong>in</strong>g, bifurcation,<br />

dot, or comb<strong>in</strong>ations thereof. The relationship of Level<br />

2 detail enables <strong>in</strong>dividualization.<br />

Level 3 detail <strong>in</strong>cludes all dimensional attributes of a ridge, such as<br />

ridge path deviation, width, shape, pores, edge contour, <strong>in</strong>cipient<br />

ridges, breaks, creases, scars, and other permanent details.

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