HFE 7100 ®
A commercial solvent by 3M used as carrier in reagents such as ninhydrin, DFO, and
Indanedione.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Hale, Dr. Alfred R. (1952)
A fingerprint researcher from Tulane University noted for his research into friction ridge formation
and the uniqueness of fingerprints. Hale believed that prior to primary ridges forming, cells
proliferate forming clusters or units. These clusters fuse together forming primary ridges. So far
there is no evidence that supports this hypothesis. The current data shows that fiction ridges
develop as a whole. They may indeed develop from clusters, but so far there is no visual scientific
evidence of this.
Credited with the definitive treatise on the development of fingerprints: Morphogenesis of Volar
Skin in the Human Fetus, American Journal of Anatomy 91:147-173, 1952.
http://www.handanalysis.net/library/derm_history.htm
Hall-Mills Case (1922)(Trial, Nov. 1926)
On Sept. 14, 1922 the Reverend Edward W. Hall and Mrs. Eleanor Mills were murdered in
Somerville, New Jersey. This quickly became one of the most sensational investigations and
trials in American crime. The case involved sex, scandal, dramatic players, a bungled
investigation and a million dollar defense. Although numerous articles and books have been
written about this case, its significance to the fingerprint community seems to have gone by
unnoticed. This is the case of the first known erroneous identification. Retired Deputy Police
Commissioner Joseph Faurot (NYPD) 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. All suspects were acquitted and this case remains unsolved today.
Hallucal
A region which corresponds to the distal thenar and first interdigital region on the palm.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Another opinion:
The region around the hallux (big toe) on the sole of the foot.
Hallux
Big toe.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Hamm, Ernest D.
Ernest D. (Ernie) Hamm is recognized as an expert in latent print, footwear and tire track
examinations. He began his career as a military police patrol officer and worked as a Special
Agent-Criminal Investigator in the Army Criminal Investigation Command where he continued his
career as a forensic examiner in the US Army and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
He became an IAI Certified Latent Print Examiner in 1978. For over 30 years he has been an
instrumental part of the forensic community. Not only is Mr. Hamm a leading practitioner and
remarkable historian, he’s also a renowned educator. Mr. Hamm instructed examiners worldwide,
conducting presentations, training seminars, classes, and workshops and has participated in
numerous educational conferences. He has received instructor certification from the Arkansas
and Florida Commissions on Law Enforcement Standards and Training and the South Carolina
Criminal Justice Academy. His participation in several professional organizations spans decades
long and include numerous articles, lectures and presentations. He has been associated with the
CID Agents Association, Florida Division of the IAI, Forensic Science Society of England,
Canadian Identification Society (CIS), International Association for Identification (IAI), The
Fingerprint Society (England) and American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS). He is a Life
Member of the CIS, a Life and Distinguished Member of the IAI, Fellow of the Fingerprint Society
and a Fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Mr. Hamm was also a certified
inspector of the ASCLD Laboratory Accreditation Board.
In addition, Mr. Hamm was instrumental in a revision of the IAI logo. He enhanced the fingerprint
image of Sir Francis Galton, which was the central focus of the logo. The enhancement version
was first introduced at the 1985 IAI Conference and the details regarding the enhancement were
presented at the 1991 IAI Conference. The revised and enhanced logo was adopted by the IAI for
use on the cover of the Journal of Forensic Identification in 1992.
Handiprint
A flexible plastic adhesive lifter with a clear cover useful for taking major case prints, prints from
the deceased, or lifting latent prints deposited on skin. Available in several sizes from CSI
Forensic Supply.
See Quickprint.
Haque, Azizul (1800’s)
Aka Azizul Haque, Azizul Hacque, or Khan Bahadur Azizul Huq.
One of the Indian Police Officers in Bengal who worked for Sir Edward Richard Henry and helped
him develop the Henry System of Classification. Haque devised a mathematical formula to
supplement Henry’s idea of sorting slips in 1024 pigeon holes, based on fingerprint patterns.
http://www.jpgmonline.com/article.asp?issn=0022-
3859;year=2000;volume=46;issue=4;spage=303;epage=8;aulast=Tewari 02-15-2004
Hayden, Eric
See State of Washington vs. Eric Hayden.
Heel
The lowest part of a foot print or the portion furthest from the toes.
Heidenhain, Martin (1864-1949)
Pathologist & histologist who researched the relationship between the dermis and the epidermis.
Alfred R. Hale describes him by saying, “The true anatomical relationship of epidermis to dermis
was not realized until the classic article of Heidenhain appeared in 1906. The older investigators
with the exception of Blaschko (1887) believed the epidermis to send into the substance of the
dermis peglike projections (epidermal papillae, Hautpapillen).”
Morphogensis of volar skin in the human fetus, Alfred R. Hale, 1952.
Hemidesmosome (Hemi-desmosome)
The cells in the basal layer are connected to the basement membrane by hemidesmosomes.
Henry Classification
An alpha-numeric fingerprint classification system named after Sir Edward Richard Henry. This
classification system was developed to easily categorize, file and search fingerprint records. The
Henry Classification system was officially adopted on June 12, 1987 in British India as the
method for establishing the identity of criminal.
Henry, Sir Edward Richard (July 26, 1850-Feb. 19, 1931)
Henry was in India when he and 2 Bengali police officers (Haque and Bose) came up with the
classification system that was adopted by the British in 1897. This classification system, bearing
his name, became the most widely used classification system worldwide for the next 100 years.
In 1900, Henry devised a statistical model to determine the probability of two fingerprints from
different fingers having the same series of Galton points. In 1901, Henry was appointed Assistant
Commissioner at Scotland Yard where he implemented the first fingerprint bureau that regularly
took fingerprints of inmates.
Henthorn Decision (1991)
See United States v Henthorn.
Hepburn, Dr. David
Dr. David Hepburn was one of the original researchers of friction skin. It does not appear that he
was interested in individuality but rather the development and function of friction skin. Dr.
Hepburn studied the ridges of six species of monkeys. Dr. Wilder credits Hepburn with the first to
suggest that there is a mechanical function to ridges in addition to sensitivity, i.e. gripping.
Wilder also credits Hepburn with naming two of the eminences on the hand, the thenar and the
hypothenar. Hepburn wrote “The Papillary Ridges on the Hands and Feet of Monkeys and Men”
in 1895.
Heptane
Solvent used in the preparation of reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Herschel, Sir William James (Jan. 9, 1833-1917 or 1918)
Credited with being the first European to recognize the value of fingerprints for identification. He
recognized that fingerprints were unique and permanent. Herschel documented his own
fingerprints over his lifetime to prove permanence. He was also credited with being the first
person to used fingerprints in a practical manner. As early as the 1850’s, working as a British
officer for the Indian Civil Service, he started putting fingerprints on contracts.
Hexane
Solvent used in the preparation of reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Hinge Lifter
The adhesive used to lift a latent print hinged to the backing that it would be secured to.
Histology
The branch of biology that studies the microscopic structure of animal or plant tissues.
WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=histology
Holland, Mary E. (Feb. 25, 1868-Mar 27, 1915)
Mary and Phil Holland operated the Holland Detective Agency in the early 1900’s. In 1904, they
met Ferrier at the World’s Fair in St. Louis. Ferrier instructed Mary Holland and eight others on
fingerprints and how to use the Henry System. In 1907, Mary Holland was hired by the US Navy
as a fingerprint instructor. She is considered to be the second American fingerprint instructor in
the United States (second to Parke) but the first woman fingerprint instructor. Her teachings
promoted the Henry System throughout the United States. Mary Holland is also credited as one
of the fingerprint experts (along with Edward Foster, William M. Evans and Michael P. Evans) to
testify in the trial “People vs. Jennings”.
Holt, Sarah B.
Assistant of L. S. Penrose. Noted for her research into the association between dermal ridges
and various diseases and the statistical distribution of dermal patterns. She wrote “Significance
of Dermatoglyphics in Medicine” in 1949 and “The Genetics of Dermal Ridges” in 1968.
Holy Grail Reference Library
The Holy Grail Reference Library is a collection of 149 hard to find articles, books, presentations,
and court decisions related to friction skin. These documents, dating back to 1892, are essential
resources for latent print examiners. Glenn Langenburg, from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal
Apprehension, (with the help of others) has compiled and distributes this reference material on
compact disk.
Horny Layer of Epidermis
See Stratum Corneum.
Horseshoe
A form of documentation used to show that an impression has some form of value. This is done
by putting a horseshoe marking around the impression. Multiple horseshoes can be used to
document simultaneous impressions.
Hot Breath Method or Technique (aka Huffing)
Breathing on a latent print either to visualize the print or to infuse moisture back into an older
latent print.
Hot Flame Method
Aka the Flame Technique. The hot flame method is a process used to develop friction ridge
detail on nonporous items. A substance, such as camphor, masking tape, or pine tar is burned to
produce heavy soot. While the substance is burning, an object is placed in the smoke until a
thick coat of soot is formed on the object. The extra soot is then brushed away with a fingerprint
brush leaving soot on the friction ridge detail.
See Flame Technique.
Huber, Assistant Commissioner Roy A. (July 1921- September 28, 2005)
Retired Assistant Commissioner Roy A. Huber, RCMP, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, is credited as
being the person who formulated Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation in the 1950’s, now known as
ACE-V. Inspector Huber wrote the articles “Expert Witness” in 1959 and “The Philosophy of
Identification” in 1972 where he explains the comparison process and “…the process of
identification regardless of the subject matter”. Additionally, he wrote the book “Handwriting
Identification: Facts & Fundamentals” in 1999 with Alfred Headrick.
Hudson, Dr. Erastus Mead (1930’s)
Credited with the discovery of the silver nitrate processing method for obtaining latent prints from
unpainted wood. This process became well known after Dr. Hudson developed latent prints on
the ladder involved in the Lindbergh kidnapping case (1932). Others had experimented with
silver nitrate prior to Dr. Hudson, but historically he is given the recognition. Dr. Hudson also did
research in using silver nitrate to develop latent prints on other items, such as cloth and gloves.
Finger Print and Identification Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 3, September 1935.
Huffing (aka The Hot Breath Technique)
Breathing on a latent print either to visualize the print or to infuse moisture back into an older
latent print.
Human Factors Report
In December 2008, NIST and NIJ funded a research project aimed at assessing errors in latent
fingerprint examinations. On Feb 9, 2012, the findings and 149 recommendations were published
in a report titled “Latent Print Examination and Human Factors: Improving the Practice through a
Systems Approach”. The findings and recommendations became known as the Human Factors
Report.
Hungarian Red
A red protein stain used to visualize bloody friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Also known as Acid Fuchsin.
Hyalin Layer of Epidermis
See Stratum Lucidum.
Hydrochloric Acid
A chemical used to process thermal paper to develop friction ridge detail. Also known as Muriatic
Acid.
Hydrofluoric Acid (Hydrogen Fluoride)
A latent developmental technique, discovered by Dr. Rene Forgeot in 1891, used for recovering
latent friction ridge detail on glass. The hydrofluoric acid vapors deteriorate the glass around a
latent image. This method is very dangerous to use and is no longer needed due to more
advanced methods of latent print recovery.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Chemical used in friction ridge development reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Hyperdactyly
See Polydactyly.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Birth defect (in humans) characterized by the presence of more than the normal number of
fingers or toes
Synonyms: polydactyly
Source: WordNet ® 1.7, © 2001 Princeton University
Hyperhidrosis
A medical condition that increases the ability of the body to sweat. Hyperhidrosis can be caused
by a genetic disorder or the use of certain medications. Additional medical conditions affecting the
ability of the body to sweat include anhidrosis and hypohidrosis.
Hypohidrosis
A medical condition that reduces the ability of the body to sweat. Hypohidrosis can be caused by
a genetic disorder, damage to the skin, or the use of certain medications. Additional medical
conditions affecting the ability of the body to sweat include anhidrosis and hyperhidrosis.
Hypothenar Area
The friction ridge skin on the palm, below the interdigital area on the ulnar side of the palm.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Ulnar side of the palm between the little finger and wrist.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Hypothesis
A tentative explanation for an observation, phenomenon, or scientific problem that can be tested
by further investigation.
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=hypothesis 02-27-03
Hypothesis testing
A valid scientific technique to guide someone through research and show others that you have
observations to support your theory. (Inductive reasoning)
1) Question
2) Gather data – all data, not only data that supports your conclusion.
3) Speculate at causes and test possible causes
4) Conclusion – testable, repeatable or reproducible, falsifiable, and explainable or
demonstrable.
5) Peer review / Publication – ensures objectivity and unbiasedness, does not ensure accurate results or conclusions.