FBI / Lockheed-Martin 50k x 50k Study (1999)
A statistical study done to support the uniqueness theory of fingerprints. This study was used in
Daubert hearings to justify biological uniqueness and to validate fingerprint methodology. The
50k x 50k study was never published and therefore many claim that it is not a scientifically sound
study and should not be used as supporting evidence.
FEPAC
Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission.
FER
Fluorescence Excitation Radiometry. A new forensic light source introduced in 2005 by Light
Diagnostics.
FFS
Fellow of The Fingerprint Society.
FLS
Forensic Light Source. Common term for all light sources including lasers used in forensic
examinations.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
FRSTAT
Statistical software developed by Henry Swofford, DFSC in 2015. The results of this software
began being officially reported in March 2017.
FQS
Forensic Quality Services.
FRE
Federal Rules of Evidence.
FSAB
Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board.
FSSB
Forensic Science Standards Board. In 2014, guided by NIST, a Forensic Science Standards
Board (FSSB) was established to develop guidelines, best practices and standards for the
forensic disciplines. Scientific Area Committees (SACs) will approve guidelines and best practices
and recommend standards to the Forensic Science Standards Board (FSSB) for approval. The
five SACs, each with discipline specific subcommittees, are (1) Biology/DNA, (2)
Chemistry/Instrumentation, (3) Crime Scene/Death Investigation, (4) Information
Technology/Multimedia, and (5) Physics/Pattern. The subcommittees are known as OSAC
(Organization for Scientific Area Committees). The FSSB, and associated committees, are not an
official Standard Development Organization (SDO).
Fabricated Latent Print
A fabricated or falsified latent print is a latent print intentionally manufactured by law enforcement
personnel in order to enhance the case against a suspect. This can be done by intentionally
mislabeling a print (latent or inked) as coming from an object at the crime scene.
Aka Falsified Latent Print.
See Forged Latent Print.
Fabricated or Falsified Latent Prints, known cases of:
Also see Errors.
Fred van der Vyver (South Africa)
In March 2005 Fred van der Vyver was the main suspect in the murder of his girlfriend,
Inge Lotz. Crucial evidence against him was a fingerprint identification labeled as being
lifted from a DVD cover. The identification of the print was never in question. The
question was whether or not the fingerprint was actually lifted from the DVD cover or from
some other substrate. Fred van der Vyver maintained his innocence and provided an air
tight alibi while the State denied any possibility of a mistake. The first person to suggest
that the fingerprints were from a different surface was Mr. Nico Kotze. Several other
fingerprint experts, including Dr. David Klatzow, Mike Grace, Daan Bekker, Pat Wertheim
and Arie Zeelenberg, reviewed the case. Daan Bekker was the first person to state that
the latent print was lifted from a drinking glass. In December 2006, due to the experts’
findings, the South African Police Department announced that they were not going to
pursue the fingerprint evidence. When the trail began, the fingerprint evidence was
admitted as part of the evidence (along with other evidence that was suspected of being
fabricated). Mike Grimm, Bill Bodziak and Paul Ryder were the footwear experts in this
case. On Nov. 29, 2007 the judge, accepting that the latent print evidence did not come
from a DVD cover, found Fred van der Vyver not guilty of the charges against him. One
article about this case claimed that the judge also slammed the testimony of several
police witnesses who had given evidence on key forensic evidence, calling their evidence
“untrustworthy”, “unreliable” and “dishonest”.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=15&art_id=vn20071201112945223C76
1205 12-01-07
Diana Boyd Monahan (Texas)
Indicted in 2000 on 13 counts of falsifying fingerprint reports on evidence she never
tested. She pled guilty and received 5 years probation.
New York State Police
In 1992 an investigator with the New York State Police, David L. Harding, was arrested
for fabricating evidence in a murder trial. Subsequently, 4 other employees (Robert M.
Lishansky, Craig D. Harvey, David M. Beers, and Patrick O’Hara) were charged with
fabricating fingerprint evidence in other cases. The total number of cases is estimated to
be as high as 40 cases.
In 1993, Shirley Kinge, one of the victims of fingerprint fabrication, sued the New York
State Police. In Feb. 2008, Judge Midey Jr. found that Kinge was the victim of malicious
prosecution and negligent supervision of the investigator who planted the phony evidence
implicating her in the crime. Senior Investigator David McElligott, the supervisor of the
Troopers involved, was forced to retire due to this scandal.
Deputy Sheriff Jesus Durazo
In 1992, the Arizona crime lab found that Jesus Durazo had fabricated fingerprint
evidence against a drug suspect. Despite his claims of innocence, when he was offered
to resign and no prosecution would occur, Durazo accepted.
James Bakken, Buena Park, California
In a 1967 bank robbery (some sources say 1969), James Bakken from Buena Park,
California fabricated evidence that resulted in William DePalma being found guilty and
sentenced to 15 years. DePalma began serving his sentence in 1971. Bakken testified
that the latent print was found at the bank but it was really an exact replica of a print from
a previous arrest. After Orange County investigated the claims, DePalma was released
after serving 3 years in prison. Bakken served 1 year on an unrelated charge. He could
not be prosecuted for the DePalma case because the statute of limitations had expired.
Dec. 1975 / Aug. 1976 Identification News
Det. Herman Wiggins, San Diego Police Department
In the 1970’s, Det. Herman Wiggins was found to have fabricated latent print evidence in
up to 40 cases. It is believed he had people touch the hood of his car and then he would
lift the prints and saved them for other cases. Officer Wiggins was arrested and faced
several counts of falsifying evidence. When the authenticity of the latent lift cards were
questioned, Officer Wiggins claimed that he had several lift cards together and they may
have gotten mixed up when he dropped his briefcase. In Dec. of 1974 he was found
guilty and sentenced to two years in custody.
Information provided by Rachelle Babler.
Capt. James Barker
James Barker was one of the primary investigators in the 1943 Sir Harry Oakes Case.
Maurice O’Neill filed charges with the IAI against Barker for fabricating evidence in this
case. In a very unpopular decision, the IAI cleared Barker of any wrongdoing.
Fake Fingerprints
False friction ridge skin make by a person to evade identification or elude detection.
Falsifiable
There must be a way to prove the theory wrong. If we can’t prove it wrong, it is not a scientific
theory. This idea of a theory being falsifiable is one of the most important aspects of science. The
theory, “Beyond Earth there is intelligent life in the universe”, may be true, but it is not a scientific
theory since there is no way to prove it false.
http://home.earthlink.net/~johnh55/science/whatisscience.html 02-27-03
An attempt to falsify a conclusion is performed by making a concerted effort to seeking out
disagreement instead of seeking out agreement, support or confirmation. If the most critical
people agree with the conclusion then it is likely that the conclusion will hold up to strong scrutiny
of others and general consensus agreement will be achieved.
Falsified Latent Print
A falsified or fabricated latent print is a latent print intentionally manufactured by law enforcement
personnel in order to enhance the case against a suspect. This can be done by intentionally
mislabeling a print (latent or inked) as coming from an object at the crime scene.
Aka Fabricated Latent Print.
See Forged Latent Print.
Faulds, Dr. Henry (June 1, 1843-Mar. 24, 1930)
Dr. Henry Faulds was a Scottish physician and a medical missionary in Japan. Dr. Faulds is
credited with doing many experiments to prove permanence and uniqueness. The earliest article
on using fingerprints as a means of identification was written by Faulds. Nature Magazine
published this article, “On the Skin-Furrows of the Hand”, on Oct. 28, 1880. Herschel replied in
Nature Magazine on Nov. 25, 1880 stating he had been using fingerprints as a means of
identification for over 20 years. Faulds is credited for being the first European to suggest that
fingerprints could assist in criminal investigations. In 2012, writings were found that suggest that
Robert Blake Overton recommended this much earlier than Faulds. Additionally, he is noted as
being the first person to use a latent fingerprint to eliminate someone as a suspect and he was
the person who recommended using printer’s ink to record fingerprints. In 1905 (as stated in “A
Manual of Practical Dactylography” page 60), Dr. Faulds published “Guide to Finger- Print
Identification”. In 1912 he published “Dactylography, The Study of Finger-Prints” (noted in “A
Manual of Practical Dactylography” page 10) and in approx. 1915 he published “A Manual of
Practical Dactylography”. Although Dr. Faulds greatly contributed to the science of fingerprint
identification, he was never given full credit for this during his lifetime.
Fault Line
Shadowing in an impression in the form of a curved line. A fault line is a visual clue that some
sort of distortion may exist.
Faurot, Joseph A. (Oct. 14, 1872-Nov. 20 1942)
In 1906, N.Y.P.D. Police Commissioner McAdoo sent Det. Sgt. Joseph Faurot to London to
obtain information of the process of fingerprinting, where it had been in use for several years.
Det. Sgt. Faurot returned with samples of the first fingerprint cards, at which time the Department
began to implement this new crime fighting technique. In 1908, a murder case was the first case
solved by the N.Y.P.D. utilizing this technology.
http://www.nycpolicemuseum.org/html/faq.html#fingerprint
Joseph A. Faurot retired from the New York Police Department as a Deputy Police Commissioner
in 1926.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/famousSearch.cgi?mode=county&FScountyid=2013 10-08-
2004
Faurot was involved in many historical trials. One of the most well known trials was the case of
Caesar Cella in People v Crispi 1911. Remarkably, Retired Deputy Police Commissioner Joseph
Faurot was also involved in the trial that involved the first erroneous identification. In the 1926
Hall-Mills double murder trial (New Jersey), Joseph Faurot along with Lieutenant Fred Drewen
and Edward H. Schwartz erroneously identified a latent print on key evidence to one of the
suspects, William Stevens. J.H. Taylor and Gerhardt Kuhne (brother of Frederick Kuhne) testified
for the defense in this trial. William Stevens and the other suspects were acquitted. The double
murder, which actually happened in 1922, was never solved.
Features
As of November 2004 the National Fingerprint Board of England and Wales determined:
1. The Third Level Detail Working Group acknowledges that within the international
fingerprint community, the terminologies 1st, 2nd and 3rd Level detail is used. This group
recommends that because of the holistic nature of fingerprint identification, there is no
need for the use of these terms within the comparison process. ALL information assisting
with establishing the identification of an area of friction ridge detail will be termed,
‘features’.
2. ALL visible features employed within the identification process may be used without
regard to the information falling within any particular category.
3. Consequently, there is no justification for treating any type, or group of features
separately and no requirement for a Third Level Detail Working group as such, and this
group recommends that the national Fingerprint Board considers retaining the existing
members as the ‘Identification Working Group.’ (this group has been re-named as the,
‘Bureaux Practitioners’ Group).
Distinctive details of the friction ridges, including Level 1, 2, and 3 details (also known as
characteristics).
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
See Characteristics.
Federal Rules of Evidence
See Rule # for each specific rule.
Ferric Nitrate
Chemical used in Physical Developer and Multimetal Deposition solutions.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Ferrier, John Kenneth
Ferrier worked for the fingerprint branch of Scotland Yard. In 1904, he was assigned to guard the
British Crown Jewels at the World’s Fair in St. Louis, Missouri. The American police officials
became interested in fingerprinting through Ferrier and for seven months he taught nine
individuals about fingerprints and the Henry System (Edward A. Evans, Emmett A. Evans,
Edward Brennan, John Shea, Mr. Ryan, Mary Holland, George Koestle, Edward Foster, and
Albert G. Perrott). During this time Ferrier also gave instruction to many others who were
interested. He is considered to be the first fingerprint instructor in the United States. Although
fingerprints had been used sporadically in the United States prior to Ferrier’s arrival, Ferrier is
credited with being the driving force behind the use of fingerprints in the U.S.
Ferrous Ammonium Sulfate
Chemical used in Physical Developer and Multimetal Deposition solutions.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Fetus
For the human species, the unborn individual from about the end of the second month of
development until birth. Earlier stages are termed embryo.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
An embryo during latter stages of development in the womb, after three months.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Fibula
The smaller of the two bones in the lower leg on the little toe side.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
The shorter of the two bones in the lower leg on the little toe side.
Fibular Area
The plantar area situated on the little toe side of the foot.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Final
A numerical value that is derived from the ridge count of a little finger, usually the right.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Finger
See Phalange.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Finger Print and Identification Magazine
Originally named “Finger Print Magazine”, it was a monthly publication put out by the Institute of
Applied Science. This magazine was published from 1919-1978 and was considered to be a vital
part of knowledge to the identification industry.
Fingerprint
Informally used to refer to any impression of, or left by, friction ridge skin.
Fingerprint Identification (AKA Friction Ridge Identification or Friction Skin Identification)
The applied science of identification by friction skin based on the Theory of Differential Growth
and the Theory of Permanence.
Fingerprint Powders
Powders used to visualize friction ridge detail. Can be magnetic, non-magnetic, fluorescent,
bichromatic, or a variety of monochromatic types.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
The Fingerprint Society
The Fingerprint Society was first conceived of in 1974 by Martin J. Leadbetter, Stephen E.
Haylock, David R. Brooker, and Nicolas J. Hall while working for the Hertfordshire Constabulary
in England. Martin J. Leadbetter and Stephen E. Haylock officially formed their organization in
1975 under the name the ‘National Society of Fingerprint Officers’ (NSFO). The name was later
changed to “The Fingerprint Society”. This educational organization publishes a quarterly journal
called “Fingerprint Whorld”. The first issue was published in July 1975.
First Level Detail (also see Level 1 Detail)
General overall pattern shape, i.e., circular, looping, arching, or straight.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
The Flak-Conley Classification System
A fingerprint classification system ddeveloped in 1906 in New Jersey. This classification system
was an improved Conley System.
Flame Technique
Many common materials (e.g., camphor, magnesium, masking tape, nito-cellulose, pine tar,
titanium tetrachloride) burned to produce soot for detection of friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
See Hot Flame Method.
Flats
The informal term for the intentional recording of the four fingers taken simultaneously to
establish the correct order of the individual fingers.
Aka Slaps or Simultaneous Flat Impressions.
Flavin(e)
A yellow dye used as an ingredient in many reagents that are used to stain friction ridge detail.
Flexion Crease
Creases that are formed during friction ridge formation, completely lacking of any ridge detail.
Flexion creases are unique and permanent.
See Creases, White Lines, Tension Creases and Occasional Features.
Fluorescein
Fluorescent reagent used to develop bloody friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Fluorescence
The emission of light caused by the absorption of radiant energy from an external source or
stimulus. The emission of light continues only as long as the stimulus continues (as opposed to
phosphorescence).
Fluorescence Excitation Radiometry
A forensic light source introduced in 2005 by Light Diagnostics.
Focal Points
1. A group of specific features used to limit search parameters. Focal points may include a delta,
core, creases, scars, or the flow of friction ridge detail (as with a recurve). Focal points may be
used for searching but not necessarily be used in arriving at a conclusion during the comparison
process. The search parameters are increased for prints with limited or no focal points.
2. In the Henry Classification, focal points refer specifically to the core and deltas areas.
3.The term focal point is occasionally used to refer to a target group.
1. In classification, the core(s) and the delta(s) of a fingerprint.
2. Another term for target group.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Folien
Another name for a gel lifter. Used to lift and preserve latent fingerprints.
Footprint
An impression left by the friction ridge skin from a plantar surface.
Forensic
Relating to, used in, or appropriate for courts of law or for public discussion or argumentation.
Of, relating to, or used in debate or argument; rhetorical.
Relating to the use of science or technology in the investigation and establishment of facts or
evidence in a court of law: a forensic laboratory.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=forensic 02-27-03
Forensic Light Source (FLS)
Common term for all light sources including lasers used in forensic examinations.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Forged Latent Print
A forged latent print is the print of an innocent person planted at the scene of a crime by the
perpetrator in an attempt to implicate another person. The latent print may be planted by
transferring a print from one surface to another or by touching an item with a mold of someone
else’s fingerprints.
See Fabricated Latent Print or Falsified Latent Print.
Forgeot, Rene Dr.
A French criminologist at the Laboratoire D’Anthropologie Criminale, Lyon, France (Laboratory of
Criminal Anthropology) who researched latent developmental techniques in approx. 1891. He is
credited with using ink to recover latent prints on paper, using hydrofluoric acid to recover latent
prints on glass and osmic acid fuming to oxidize sebaceous matter.
Forking Ridge
Another term for a bifurcating ridge.
Form Blindness
The inability to see minute differences in form regarding shapes, curves, angles and size. First
referenced to forensic science by Albert Osborn in his 1910 book, “Questioned documents”.
Form Blindness: What do you see?, Jon S. Byrd
Form Perception
The ability to see minute differences in angles, forms, and size. Form perception or recognition
takes place in the visual cortex of the brain, not the eye.
Form Blindness: What do you see?, Jon S. Byrd
Foster, Edward (Aka Thomas Alfred Edward Foster) (Nov. 14, 1863-Jan. 21, 1956)
A Constable with the Dominion Police in Canada. Credited with bringing fingerprint identification
to Canada after meeting Ferrier at the 1904 World’s Fair. Foster, along with Mary Holland ,
William M. Evans and Michael P. Evans, was one of the four fingerprint experts who testified in
the historic trial “People vs. Jennings”. This was the first time Foster testified as a fingerprint
expert.
http://www.rcmp.ca/pdfs/foster_e.pdf 08-12-2003
Fox, Albert Ebenezer and Ebenezer Albert (1857-19??)
The Story of the Fox twins is the English equivalent to the William and Will West story in the
United States. The Fox twins were born in St. Ippolytes, England and recognized as poachers
and petty thieves who accumulated over 220 convictions between them. Sgt. John Ferrier is said
to have used this case as an example at the 1904 World’s Fair to show how the Bertillon system
was not sufficient for identification but the Fingerprint System prevailed. Sir Edward Henry is also
said to have used this case of incorrect identification of the twins to throw out the Bertillon system
and fully adopt the Fingerprint System at the Yard in 1901. Articles regarding this case are
“Ferrier of the Yard” by John Berry, Fingerprint Whorld, 12:46 (Oct 1986) and “A Sly Pair” by D.R.
Brooker, Fingerprint Whorld, 3:11 (Jan 1978). Although this story is related to events in 1901 and
1904, it is interesting to note that the fingerprint cards in the above articles are dated Sept. 7,
1913.
Friction Ridge
A raised portion of skin found on the palmar and plantar skin. According to the research of Dr.
William Babler, friction ridges are first seen in utero as whole ridges. There is no research
supporting the hypothesis that a friction ridge is formed by a connection of friction ridge units.
A raised portion of the epidermis on the palmar or plantar skin, consisting of one or more
connected ridge units.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Sometimes referred to as ruga or rugae.
Friction Ridge Detail (morphology)
An area comprised of the combination of ridge flow, ridge characteristics, and ridge structure.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Friction Ridge Examiner
An examiner that analyzes, compares, evaluates and verifies friction ridge impressions for the
purpose of identification or exclusion. Examinations can be one-to-one or one-to-many and can
range from simple to complex.
a) a tenprint examiner examines intentionally recorded impression(s).
b) a latent print examiner examines unintentionally recorded impression(s).
A person who analyzes, compares, evaluates, and verifies friction ridge impressions.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Friction Ridge Flow
The flow or curvature of the friction ridges. Also referred to as Level 1 detail or 1st level detail.
Friction Ridge Identification
See Individualization.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
See Fingerprint Identification.
Friction Ridge Identification Philosophy
See Philosophy of Friction Ridge Identification.
Friction Ridge Path
The paths or deviations of a friction ridge (endings and bifurcations). Also referred to as Level 2
details or 2nd level details.
Friction Ridge Shapes
The shapes (width and contour) of the ridges. Also referred to as Level 3 details or 3rd level
details.
Friction Ridge Unit
A theoretical length of measurement.
A single section of ridge containing one pore.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Friction Skin
Corrugated skin on the volar areas that enhances friction of the surface.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Also known as thick skin, compared to the skin on the rest of the body, which is thin skin.
Friction Skin Formation, stages of:
(Current Hypothesis)
Swelling of the volar pads.
The volar pads start to regress.
Primary ridges form.
Sweat glands develop.
Secondary ridges develop.
Anastomoses form.
Dermal papillae are created
Frye vs. US 1923
The court decision which states that a science can be testified to as long as the discipline is
generally accepted in the field which it belongs.
The Frye standard dates back to 1923. The Frye case involved a criminal conviction in which the
defense proposed that an expert instruct the jury by administering a systolic blood pressure test
as a means of establishing Frye’s innocence. The trial court ruled this testimony inadmissible.
The appellate court upheld the trial court’s decision, stating that the expert witness testimony
lacked “general acceptance” in its particular field, thereby establishing the Frye standard.
http://www.aaos.org/wordhtml/bulletin/oct04/fline2.htm 05-27-2006
The court opinion was the systolic blood pressure test hadn’t crossed the line between
experimental and demonstrable.
Fulcrum Area
The area between the thumb and index finger on the palm.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Funnel
A term popularized by Ron Smith to describe the ridge pattern in the hypothenar area of the palm.
The ridges start on the outer edge of the palm and turn upward converging to the center of the
palm.
Furrow Folds
Folds on the underside of the epidermis that correspond to the surface furrows. Aka Secondary
ridges.
Furrows
Valleys or depressions between friction ridges.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Also referred to a sulcus (plural: sulci).