PBFE
Probability Based Fingerprint Evidence.
PCAST Report
On September 20, 2016, the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology
(PCAST), which gives recommendations to the President of the US, released a report titled,
‘Forensic Science in Criminal Courts: Ensuring Scientific Validity of Feature-Comparison
Methods’. The report evaluated DNA, Bitemarks, Latent Fingerprints, Firearms, Tool Marks,
Footwear, and Hair analysis and found many disciplines lack scientific validity. The report
suggested using a linear ACE process, documenting what is seen during analysis and
comparison, and improving the OSAC’s. The report also indicated that many of the pattern
evidence disciplines did not have supporting scientific validity.
PD
Physical Developer.
PDMAC
Para-dimethylaminocinnamaldehyde. Reagent that reacts with urea, amines and their salts to
develop friction ridge detail with fluorescent properties when exposed to selected wavelengths of
light.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
PZ Code
See Palmar Exemplar & Latent Zone Codes.
Palm (Palmar Area)
The friction ridge skin area on the side and underside of the hand.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Concerning the palm of the hand.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Palm Print (or Palmprint)
An impression of the friction ridges of all or any part of the palmar surface of the hand.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Palm Print Court Cases
See State vs Kuhl (1918).
See Betts Case (1917).
Palmar Exemplar & Latent Zone Codes (PZ Codes)
An alpha-numeric system developed in 2003 by Craig Coppock as a communication tool to refer
to specific areas of the fingers and palms. In this system each hand is divided into 28 regions
and given an alpha-numeric identifier. This system offers a quick and efficient means of
distinguishing a particular area in the hand to those familiar and unfamiliar with scientific
terminology.
Palmar Zone
The interdigital area of the palm.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Panacryl Brilliant Flavone 10GFF
See Basic Yellow 40.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Papillae (Papilla)
Peg-like structures of the dermis.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
A small nipple-like protuberance or elevation.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Papillary Layer
One of the two layers of the dermis.
The superficial layer of the dermis raised into papillae that fit into corresponding depressions on
the inner surface of the epidermis.
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. © 1997-2000
http://www.fasthealth.com/dictionary/p/papillary_layer.php
Papillary Pegs
See Dermal Papillae.
Papillary Ridges
Orderly rows of eccrine glands positioned along the path of the friction ridge.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
The term ‘papillary ridge’ can be used to describe many different areas in the skin. It is not
important to discern whether one is right or wrong, just to understand the area that is being
referred to. How this term is used will also effect how the terms ‘primary ridges’ and ‘secondary
ridges’ are used.
1) From Hale: Ridges on the bottom of the epidermis corresponding to the surface friction ridges
and surface furrows. They are the root system of the surface ridges and furrows. The papillary
ridges that correspond to the friction ridges are referred to as primary ridges and the papillary
ridges that correspond to the surface furrows are referred to as secondary ridges. Aka Epidermal
Ridges.
2) Papillary ridges may refer to the ridges in the papillary layer of the dermis that connect to the
bottom ridges of the epidermis. In this description, the connecting ridges of the epidermis are
referred to grooves (primary and secondary). This definition is referred to in “Bloom and
Fawcett’s Concise Histology”. Aka Dermal Ridges.
3) In many books and articles papillary ridges refer to friction ridges.
Parke, Edward
Son of fingerprint pioneer Capt. James H. Parke. Edward Parke seems to have studied
fingerprints simultaneously with his father. He is sometimes credited with developing the 8 x 8
standard fingerprint card in 1913 that his father initially suggested. But it appears that Michael P.
Evans used an 8 x 8 fingerprint card as early as 1905. Like his father, Edward Parke also worked
for the New York State Prison Department and in 1913 was transferred to work with the
fingerprints his father had started accumulating years earlier.
Parke, Capt. James H. (1848-?)
Capt. James H. Parke was the bookkeeper at the headquarters of the New York State
Department of Prisons at Albany. He was given the responsibility of setting up a fingerprint file
for the prison department. In 1903, he began fingerprinting the inmates and used his own
classification system to file his cards. His classification system (The American System of
Fingerprint Classification) was a modified version of the English Henry Classification System.
Parke presented his system at the 1904 World’s Fair in St. Louis along side Ferrier who
presented the Henry System. Although Parke influenced other organizations to use fingerprints
as their main form of identification, the New York prison system continued to use the Bertillon
Identification method as their primary system for many years. Parke’s system was primarily used
by New England states. Parke’s use of fingerprints was the first use for criminal identification in
the United States and considered the third use of fingerprints in the United States overall (after
Thompson and DeForest). Parke is also credited as being the first American fingerprint
instructor, 1904.
Patent Print
Friction ridge impression of unknown origin, visible without development.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
A friction ridge impression that can be visualized without processing. This may be deposited
intentionally or unintentionally.
Pathology
The study of causes, nature, and effects of diseases, trauma, and other abnormalities.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Pattern Classification
Sub-division of pattern type, defined by classification systems such as Henry or National Crime
Information Center (NCIC) classifications.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Pattern Force
The pattern established by the ridge flow forces predictable minutia to form. The predictable features
are common and therefore have a higher probability of occurrence (i.e., less weight). These predictable
features can also be a clue to the area in which a latent impression originated, making the search
aspect easier.
Examples:
A delta on the left side of an impression may occur in a right slant loop or whorl.
Ridges above the core ending to the left may occur in a left slant loop or left slant whorl.
Pattern Formations
Friction ridge skin arrangements formed as early as the third month of gestation.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Pattern Type
Fundamental pattern of the ridge flow: arch, loop, whorl. Arches are subdivided into plain and
tented arches; loops are subdivided into radial and ulnar loops; whorls are subdivided into plain
whorls, double loops, pocket loops, and accidental whorls.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Patterson, Terry L.
See State of Massachusetts v. Patterson, officially called Commonwealth (of Massachusetts) v.
Terry L. Patterson.
Peer Review
Peer Review is the process that scientific knowledge undergoes prior to publication in a scientific
journal. It involves reviewing the theoretical correctness behind the information as well as the
reliability of the conclusions given.
Specific scientific conclusions can also undergo this type of complete review to ensure quality
results. Reviewing the process, as well as replicating the result, ensures that judgments are not
based on flawed reasoning and leads to the most accurate result. For specific scientific
conclusions, this process is referred to as ‘scientific scrutiny’ or ‘scientific review’ or a ‘technical
review’.
A review to verify that conclusions are supported by suitable data, proper procedures, valid
reasoning, and appropriate documentation.
Peer Review Journal
A peer-reviewed journal is an academic periodical that has some sort of peer review process to
ensure its accuracy. This often involves having several people read the article without knowledge
of its author before accepting it, as well as a rigorous editing and fact-checking process. Peerreviewed journals are generally considered the most reliable academic sources.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peer-reviewed_journal 10-14-2005
Pelmatoscopy
The science which studies the friction ridges of the soles.
Pen Pack
Short for Penitentiary Packet, a pen pack is the complete incarceration record supplied by the
State Department of Corrections. It includes the conviction history of an inmate’s term of
incarceration and each term of confinement may include a fingerprint record.
Penrose, LS (Lionel Sharples) (1898-1972)
A British geneticist who studied the genetic aspect of fingerprints and an early form of
dermatoglyphics. He studied the relationship between fingerprints and Down’s Syndrome as well
as their relationship to congenital mental defects. He wrote in “The Lancet” in 1931.
Pentadactylous
Having five fingers on each limb.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Pentadactyly
The occurrence of five fingers or toes on a hand or foot.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
People v. Crispi (New York, 1911)
Charles Crispi, aka Cesare J. Cella, was the defendant in this case, which is noted as being the
first case that fingerprint evidence was the sole evidence. Fingerprint expert Joseph Faurot
testified to the identification process. After hearing Faurot’s testimony, Crispi pled guilty. The
judge asked Crispi for a full confession, ensuring him that no additional charges would be filed.
The judge wanted to ensure that the scientific evidence that was testified to was indeed correct.
People v. Jennings (Illinois, 1910)
See Jennings. See Jennings, Thomas.
People v. Kelly (California, 1976)
The court case that lead to the Kelly rule for the admissibility of new, novel and experimental
techniques. Several admissibility hearing for fingerprint evidence have determined that fingerprint
evidence is not new or novel and a Kelly hearing was denied.
People v. Kent (New York, 1968)
Perhaps the first trial that a defense expert testified that although the identification had 12 (some
articles say 14) points of similarity, the prints were not identical. Richard Stanley Kent was
charged with murdering Joseph Murphy, a retired New York City Policeman. The key evidence
against Kent, a latent print on a bed board, seemed to be irrefutable. William J. Ciolko, Dutchess
County Public Defender, hired Dr. Vassilis C. Morfopoulos, director of the American Standards
Testing Bureau, to look at the identification. Dr. Morfopoulos analyzed the identification using a
25x microscope. He testified that he found 3 differences, “One distinct and crucial difference
destroys the validity of an identification”, he said. Richard Kent was found not guilty of the
murder. In 1970, the FBI and the IAI refuted Dr. Morfopoulos’s analysis and sided with Wilfred
Holick, the original examiner in this case. The defense attorney and the defense expert gave a
presentation of this case at the 55th IAI Conference.
There were two significant points to this case. This was the first time ‘the prints are not identical’
was used in court as a defense strategy, and the defense claimed that this case broke down the
apparent ironclad status of fingerprints.
People v. Les (Michigan, 1934)
In People v. Les, (255 NW 407) the defendant’s palm print was recovered from the windowsill at
the point of entry of a breaking and entering scene. Before trial, the defendant contended that
palm prints were not sufficient to sustain a conviction. The court ruled that the evidence was
insufficient to hold the defendant for trial, quashed the information, and ordered the discharge of
the defendant. The Government appealed that the trial court was in error in their ruling regarding
the palm print evidence, and the Supreme Court of Michigan (1934) agreed that fingerprints and
palm prints are both “considered physical characteristics” and therefore were “sufficient evidence
to go to trial.” The trial judge was directed to reinstate the information.
http://www.clpex.com/Articles/TheDetail/TheDetail82.htm 10-20-2004
People v. Cory Safford (Illinois, 2009)
This case was reversed and remanded by the Illinois Appellate Court in part due to the defenses
inability to effectively cross examine the fingerprint witness, Brent Cutro. Examiner Cutro testified
to his conclusion but not to the specific supporting foundation for his opinion. The opinion noted,
“Our concern over the claimed error here is not a matter of documentation; our concern is
whether admitting expert testimony without a showing of the requisite foundation so curtails the
admissibility of the defendants to challenge the conclusion drawn by the expert that it leads to a
suggestion of infallibility”. “We can think of no reason Examiner Cutro could not explain the Level
One, Level Two, and Level Three details he must have observed on each occasion, which led
him to conclude that the two prints matched”. “It was insufficient for Examiner Cutro to rely on his
training and experience as a basis for his ultimate opinion that no one other than the defendant
could have left that latent print…”. “More than sufficient notice was provided to the State to
correct any deficiency in Examiner Cutro’s proposed testimony”. “Absent an explanation that
established the legal foundation for the introduction of Examiner Cutro’s ultimate opinion, the
admission of his opinion was error”.
Perceptual Set
A tendency to see what we expect to see.
http://psy1.clarion.edu/mm/General/GlossaryA.html#Perception 02-27-03
A non-intentional mental predisposition that influences how we perceive visual and non-visual
information. When a person is given only partial data their brain fills in what it expects the
missing information to be.
Perez, Gerald
On Feb 07, 2008 Gerald Perez was arrested on drug charges using the name Edgardo Tirado.
While officials were taking his fingerprints they realized he altered his fingerprints in an attempt to
conceal his identity but Perez claimed he had been in a fight when his fingers were cut. His true
identity was revealed when someone recognized him as Gerald Perez, which was later
confirmed. Perez had his fingers cut lengthwise and then stitched back together. Some believe
this surgery took place in the Dominican Republic in order to conceal his criminal record and
avoid possible deportation.
Performance Check
An experiment to assess the ability of a technique to perform as desired.
See Validation Study.
Periderm
A superficial layer of cells that covers the developing epidermis. Periderm is replaced by stratum
corneum.
Persistent
Having lasting qualities; remaining the same; nonchanging.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Petroleum Ether
Solvent used as a carrier in reagents; also as a rinse or cleaning agent.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Phalange (Phalanx)
Any bone in the fingers or toes.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Any bone in a finger or toe is referred to as a phalanx (or phalange). The fingers each having 3;
the distal phalanx, the medial or middle phalanx, and the proximal phalanx. The thumb has two;
the distal phalanx and the proximal phalanx. Phalanx is more frequently used for the singular
form of the word and phalanges is more frequently used for the plural form of the word, but
phalange or phalanxes can be substituted.
Some people refer to the segments of the fingers as the proximal phalange, the medial phalange,
and the distal phalange since there is a connection between the bones and the finger segments.
This connection is closer in medial and distal segments of the fingers than in the proximal
segment. The proximal phalange bone incorporates a finger segment as well as part of the
interdigital area.
1. A bone of the finger or toe.
2. Sometimes used to refer to a segment of a finger.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Phalangeal
Of the bones in the fingers and toes.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Philosophy
The principles of a particular subject or field.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Investigation of the nature, causes, or principles of reality, knowledge, or values, based on logical
reasoning rather than empirical methods.
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=philosophy
Philosophy of Friction Ridge Identification
Friction ridge identification is established through the agreement of friction
ridge formations, in sequence, having sufficient uniqueness to individualize.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Phloxine B
Phloxine B is a protein stain which develops a reddish-orange colored print. Phloxine B is
particularly good when used to develop latents on dark-colored or multicolored backgrounds.
http://www.evidentcrimescene.com/cata/chem/chem.html 10-06-2004
Phosphorescence
The emission of light caused by the absorption of radiant energy from an external source or
stimulus. The emission of light continues after the stimulus has stopped (as opposed to
fluorescence).
Photo-Flo ™
Surfactant developed by Kodak, used in powder suspension techniques for the development of
friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Phylogenic (Phylogenetic)
The evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of
organisms. Also called phylogenesis.
The evolutionary development of an organ or other part of an organism.
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=phylogenic 03-08-2003
Inez Whipple wrote about the phylogenic theory of fingerprint development. She suggested that
early mammals were completely covered with hair, but there was an evolutionary change on the
palm and soles due to surface use.
Physical Developer (PD)
A chemical processing technique created in the early 1970’s by Atomic Weapons Research
Establishment (AWRE), per the FBI, to develop latent prints on porous items. The physical
developer technique produces a chemical reaction known as redox which creates silver. The
silver then adheres to charged particles including lipids (fats and waxes) within fingerprint reside.
PD is useful after the ninhydrin process. It should not be used in conjunction with the silver nitrate
process because these two processes compete against each other.
PiAnoS © 2009
Freeware developed by the University of Lausanne. An acronym for “Picture Annotation System”.
Pincushion Method
Also known as the Constellation Method. An obsolete method used in the first half of the 20th
century to confirm an identification. In this method enlargements of the latent and known prints
are used. Pins are pushed through the enlargement at each ridge characteristic. The holes on
the reverse side are joined together and the designs are compared. This method is published in
the April 1956 Fingerprint and Identification Magazine.
Pitts, Robert J. (Known as Roscoe Pitts)
A career criminal noted for altering his fingerprints in 1941. He had a doctor remove the skin from
his first joints and replace it with skin from his chest.
Plantar Area
The friction ridge skin area on the side and underside of the foot.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Concerning the sole of the foot.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Plastic Print
A fingerprint image left in a soft pliable surface, such as clay or wax. Also referred to as a molded
print or an impressed print.
Plaza Court Decision
See United States vs. Plaza.
Podoscopy
A term coined by Wentworth and Wilder as a possible word, if ever needed, referring to the study
of the soles.
Points/ Points of Identification
(Fingerprints) Ridge characteristics.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
See Characteristics.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Another opinion:
The term ‘points’ was initially referring to Galton points. As it was recognized that more than just
Galton points were used to make an identification, the term became synonymous with
‘characteristics’.
See Dactyloscopic Points.
Point Standards
In 1973, The IAI Standardization Committee released the results of a three-year study. They
recommended and adopted that “no valid basis exists at this time for requiring that a pre-
determined minimum number of friction ridge characteristics must be present in two impressions
in order to establish positive identification.” This was based on the fact that each print has a
unique set of circumstances.
http://www.latent-prints.com/iai_standardization_committee.htm 03-21-2003
In 1995, the Ne’urim Declaration was adopted. It stated, “No scientific basis exists for requiring
that a pre-determined minimum number of friction ridge features must be present in two
impressions in order to establish a positive identification.” This was a slight change from the
1973 IAI Resolution on the minimum number of characteristics needed to make an identification.
On June 11, 2001, after a 4 year study, the ACPO Fingerprint Evidence Project Board abolished
the use of the 16 point standard used in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Administrative point standards are a simplistic way achieve consistent results, however they may
oversimplify the process and produce erroneous conclusions.
Aka Minimum Number of Characteristics.
Pollak, Louis Federal Judge
See United States vs. Plaza.
Polydactyly
A hand or foot having more than the normal number of fingers or toes.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Synonymous with hyperdactyly.
Polyethylene Lifting Tape (Poly Tape)
Specialized lifting tape made for use on curved objects. This tape is thicker than normal tape and
stretches to prevent tape creases from damaging the lift. Poly tape can also works well on
textured objects.
Polylight
A forensic light source used to visualize items unseen under normal lighting conditions.
Polymerization
Chaining together many simple molecules to form a more complex molecule with different
physical properties.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Polymerization is a chemical reaction where small molecules (monomers) are bound together to
form a larger chainlike molecules (polymers).
Popper, Karl (1902-1994)
One of the greatest philosophers of science of the 20th century. Credited as establishing the
‘falsifiable’ element of science that can be used as a criterion under Daubert to establish whether
something is scientific knowledge.
Pores
Small openings on friction ridges through which body fluids are released.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
A minute opening in tissue, as in the skin of an animal, serving as an outlet for perspiration, or in
a plant leaf or stem, serving as a means of absorption and transpiration.
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=pore 06-11-2003
Poroscopy
The study of the pores. Poroscopy was established by Dr. Edmond Locard of Lyon, France in
1912.
A study of the size, shape, and arrangement of pores.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
Porous
Absorbent.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Positive Print
A positive print is when the ridges of an image are a different color from the background and the
furrows of an image are the same color as the background, as opposed to a negative image.
Potassium Thiocyanate
A chemical processing technique used to visualize friction ridge impressions. Potassium
Thiocyanate works particularly well with impressions that are left in iron-rich dust or soil.
Prehensile
The ability to hold or grasp.
Pressure Distortion
Lateral pressure during deposition of a fingerprint.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Pressure distortion may be described as deposition pressure (downward pressure on the object),
directional pressure (vertical, horizontal, or twisting), or a combination of deposition and
directional pressure.
Prickle-cell Layer of Epidermis
See Stratum Spinosum.
Primary
A numerical formula derived from the presence of any whorl pattern as they appear on the
fingers.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Primary Image
The first recording of an image onto media.
SWGFAST, Standard Terminology of Friction Ridge Examination 3-23-11 ver. 3.0
See Original Image.
Primary Ridges
Ridges on the bottom of the epidermis under the surface friction ridges; the root system of the
surface ridges.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
The term ‘primary ridge’ can be used to describe many different areas in the skin. It is not
important to discern whether one is right or wrong, just to understand the area that is being
referred to. How this term is used will also affect how the terms ‘papillary ridges’ and ‘secondary
ridges’ are used.
1) Hale: The ridges at the bottom of the epidermis that correspond to the surface ridges.
2) All ridges at the dermal-epidermal junction, in the respect that they appear first. The surface
ridges would be considered to be secondary ridges, appearing later. It seems to be interpreted
this way in the U.S. vs. Carlos Ivan Llera Plaza opinion dated 1/7/2002.
3) In “Bloom and Fawcett’s Concise Histology” primary ridges and secondary ridges refer to the
ridges of the dermis.
Principle
A rule or law concerning the functioning of natural phenomena or mechanical processes: the
principle of jet propulsion.
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=principle 03-08-2003
See Theory. See Laws.
Principle of Exchange
See Locard’s Principle of Exchange.
Probability Based Fingerprint Evidence (PBFE)
The reporting of a fingerprint comparison using a mathematical model to assess the likelihood
that the corresponding features have the same donor. Tools currently under development use
minutia (ridge endings and bifurcations) and generate Likelihood Ratios.
Probative Value
A legal term indication something is offered as evidence of proof of a supposition. Probative value
is dependent on the circumstances of each case.
Process
A process is a task needing to be performed. The process alone does not describe the method(s)
for completing the task.
Proficiency
The ongoing demonstration of competency of an individual typically performed by testing
individuals. Testing a system to ensure a quality product is generally referred to as a quality
assurance check/test. The quality of a system can be referred to as proficiency in some cases, as
noted by the ISO 17043 standard.
Evaluation of participant performance against pre-established criteria by means of interlaboratory
comparisons with the participant being the laboratory, organization or individual.
ISO 17043 (2023) 3.6 and 3.7
Proliferate
To grow or multiply by rapidly producing new tissue, parts, cells, or offspring.
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=proliferation 03-10-2003
2-Propanol
Solvent used in preparation of reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Proposition
A statement putting forward a judgement or opinion, e.g., ‘I propose…’.
Prosecutor’s Fallacy
The subtle flip in logic results in a misinterpretation of the data.
See Transposing the Conditional.
Proximal
Situated at the closest point of attachment; direction toward the body.
SWGFAST, Glossary – Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
Proximal Inter-Phalangeal Flexion Crease
The crease which separates the fingers from the palm.
Proximal Transverse Crease
The crease that separates the distal transverse crease and the radial longitudinal crease.
Nearest the central portion of the body or point of origin.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Pure Science
Uses the experimental method in order to formulate theoretical constructs, explicate natural laws,
and expand knowledge.
Feibleman, J.K. 1972 Pure science, applied science and technology: An attempt at definitions. In
C. Mitcham and R. Mackey (eds.). Philosophy and technology. New York: Free Press.
Purkinje, Jan (1787-1869) (AKA Purkinje, Johannes Evangelist or Purkyne)
A Bohemian (Czech Republic) Physiologist who made numerous contributions to the field of
histology. He devised new methods for preparing microscope samples, discovered sweat pores,
introduced the term plasma and is most known for his discoveries about vision. He was the first
person to name the patterns on the fingers, but never mentioned using them for personal
identification. In 1823, Purkinje named 9 different patterns.