MCCCD Program Description

Evidence Technology/Fingerprints

Course: AJS213

First Term: 2014 Fall

Lecture 3 Credit(s) 3 Period(s) 3 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula:

Description: Fundamental principles and processes of fingerprints to include identification, interpretation, and classification. In addition, students will apply fingerprinting latent fingerprint developing, preservation of evidence and the chain of custody.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify major characteristics of fingerprints, including typelines, deltas, and cores. (I) 2. Identify, describe and classify loops, arches, and whorls. (II-V) 3. Identify, describe and classify questionable fingerprint patterns. (VI) 4. Classify prints according to the Henry Classification system. (VII) 5. Classify fingerprints according to National Crime Information Center (NCIC) classification formula. (VIII) 6. Classify fingerprints according to the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) classification code. (IX) 7. Determine and practice taking prints using appropriate equipment and print cards. (X) 8. Select and use various powders and chemicals to develop latent prints and differentiate the advantages and disadvantages of each method. (XI) 9. Identify and operate appropriate equipment and techniques to photograph latent prints. (XI) 10. Compare and contrast latent prints to a known person`s or suspect`s prints. (XII) 11. Prepare and present chart displaying identified latent to known print for court. (XII)
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. Identification of Major Fingerprint Characteristics A. Typelines B. Deltas C. Cores II. Classification of Loops A. Major Characteristics 1. Delta 2. Sufficient Recurve 3. Looping Ridge 4. Ridge Counting B. Radial and Ulnar Loops 1. Differences 2. Other III. Classification of Arches A. Plain Arches B. Tented Arches 1. Angular 2. Upthrust 3. Loop-type 4. Arbitrary IV. Classification of Whorls A. Types 1. Plain 2. Central Pocket Loop Whorl 3. Double Loop Whorl 4. Accidental B. Whorl Tracing V. Pattern References A. Plain Arch and Tented Arch B. Tented Arch and Loop C. Loops and Whorls D. Other VI. Examination of Questionable Patterns A. Loops B. Whorls C. Arches VII. Henry Classification System A. Primary B. Secondary C. Sub-secondary D. Major E. Final F. Key VIII. National Crime Information Center System (NCIC) Classification Code A. Arches B. Loops C. Whorls D. Missing/Amputated Fingers E. Scarred/Mutilated Fingers IX. IAFIS Classification Code A. Arches B. Loops C. Whorls D. Unable to Print E. Unable to Classify F. Missing/Amputated Fingers G. Scarred/Mutilated Fingers H. Other X. Finger and Palm Prints A. Equipment 1. Ink Slab and Roller 2. Porelon and Ceramic Pads 3. Palm Print Roller 4. Scanner Base Rolling B. Problems in Linking and Rolling 1. Tenprints 2. Palm Prints C. Types of Cards D. Postmortem Finger and Palm Prints XI. Latent Print Development A. Procedures, Advantages, and Disadvantages 1. Black Powder 2. Magna Brush 3. Iodine Fuming 4. Silver Nitrate 5. Ninhydrin B. Superglue/Cyanoacrylate Ester C. Miscellaneous Methods of Development XII. Latent Print Preservation, Identification, and Presentation Procedures A. Latent Print Card 1. Card information 2. Diagram B. Photography of Latents 1. Camera setup a. Angles b. Scale 2. Lighting a. Flash b. Fluorescent 3. Filters 4. Exposure C. Process of comparison 1. Class characteristics a. Patterns b. Ridge flow 2. Individual characteristics a. Points b. Pores D. Preparation of Fingerprint Charts 1. Making exhibits 2. Other E. Presentation of Evidence in Court 1. Admissibility 2. Chain of custody 3. Competency to testify 4. Courtroom demeanor

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: April 22, 2014

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.