MCCCD Program Description

Evidence Technology: Fingerprints

Course: AJS213

First Term: 2023 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Covers the fundamental principles of fingerprints, including the history of fingerprint classification, the biology of friction ridge skin, pattern analysis, comparison, and identification as well as their application in significant court cases. Also includes techniques for obtaining inked prints and developing and preserving latent prints.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Describe the history of fingerprints as evidence of identity and related methodological advancements. (I) 2. Identify friction ridge skin, its structure, how it develops and how it relates to the premises of persistence and uniqueness of the friction ridge skin. (II, III) 3. Perform pattern classification of prints using their major distinguishing characteristics. (II–IV) 4. Define inked exemplars and latent prints. (V–VI) 5. Obtain inked exemplars and latent prints. (V–VI) 6. Analyze fingerprints using current classification systems and technologies. (VII) 7. Define analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification (ACE-V) process of comparing prints and the levels of detail used in the comparative process. (VII) 8. Discuss various watershed court cases and studies related to latent prints. (VIII)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. History of fingerprints as means of identification II. Friction ridge skin A. Definition B. Biological structure C. Embryological development D. Significance of scars, creases, wrinkles and temporary wounds III. Premises of fingerprints as evidence for identification A. Uniqueness B. Persistence IV. Fingerprint pattern classification A. Major fingerprint characteristics 1. Typelines 2. Deltas 3. Cores B. Fingerprint patterns and subclasses 1. Arches 2. Loops 3. Whorls V. Inked prints A. Purpose of obtaining ten prints and major case inked exemplars B. Methodology 1. Equipment 2. Techniques 3. Processes VI. Latent print detection and development A. Definition B. Factors involved in depositing latent prints C. Equipment and techniques to develop and obtain latent prints 1. Black powder 2. Fiberglass brushes 3. Lift tape and cards D. Considerations in selecting development protocol 1. Surface on which print is deposited 2. Types of latent print residues VII. Classify and apply processes in latent print comparisons A. Classification systems 1. Henry System 2. Automated biometrics identification system (ABIS) 3. Next generation identification (NGI). B. Fingerprint comparison and identification 1. Analysis, comparison, evaluation, and verification (ACE-V) process 2. Current stance on point standards in the United States VIII. Latent fingerprint evidence and the law A. Court challenges related to latent print evidence B. Foundational studies in the latent print discipline C. Landmark cases

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 28, 2023

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.