Minutiae & Ridge Details
The point where a single fingerprint ridge splits into two separate branches.
Bifurcation
The most common class (~60-65% of prints), where ridges enter one side, curve, and exit on that same side.
Loop
The center point of a loop or whorl fingerprint.
Core
The tiny, specific ridge characteristics—such as bifurcations, ridge endings, and dots—used to uniquely match a fingerprint.
Minutiae
Linda McMahon
IN THREE words classify/categorize the fingerprints as evidence.
CIRCUMSTENTIAL, PHYSICAL, INDIVIDUAL
A tiny isolated ridge that looks like a single small dot.
Dot
A pattern where ridges enter one side and exit the other with a smooth, gentle rise in the center.
Plain Arch
The triangular area formed where fingerprint ridges branch in three directions.
Delta
The technical term for an invisible fingerprint left behind by skin oils that must be developed using powder or chemicals.
Latent Print
Identical twins who share 100% of the exact same DNA also share the exact same fingerprints.
False (Fingerprints are shaped by womb environment, so even identical twins have unique prints!)
What type of fingerprint would be left on the surface of the putty or a playdough?
PLASTIC
A ridge line that splits, forms an oval gap, and joins back together into one line.
Enclosure or Eye
An arch pattern that spikes sharply upward in the middle like a tent pole.
*Double Jeopardy*
Tented Arch
To count fingerprint ridges on a loop, you draw an imaginary line connecting these two focal points.
*Double Jeopardy*
Delta and Core
The raised lines of skin on human fingers and palms that provide grip and create fingerprint patterns.
Friction Ridges
This tree-dwelling Australian animal has fingerprints so identical to humans that even crime scene investigators have trouble telling them apart under a microscope.
*Double Jeopardy*
Koala
Which listed below is NOT a minutiae characteristic: ridge ending, fork, river, eye, dot, delta, bifurcation, split, bridge, spur, thorn, island.
RIVER, SPLIT, THORN
A ridge line that comes to a sudden stop without connecting to anything else.
Ridge Ending
The circular or spiral fingerprint pattern that contains at least two deltas.
Plain Whorl
Plain arches do not have deltas or cores, making their ridge count equal to this number
Zero (0)
A clear, visible fingerprint left in a smooth liquid or material like ink, blood, or paint.
*Double Jeopardy*
Patent Print
The K-pop group that achieved massive global crossover success with English-language hit singles like "Dynamite" and "Butter."
BTS
Calculate the percentage (to nearest whole number) (%) of the loop pattern when it was identified in 245 fingerprints in a total fingerprint collected of 413
59%
A short ridge line that connects two parallel ridges.
*Double Jeopardy*
Crossover (or Bridge)
A loop pattern whose ridges curve and open toward the thumb side of the hand.
Radial Loop
When counting ridges between the core and delta, do you include the core and delta points in your count?
*Double Jeopardy*
No
A three-dimensional fingerprint pressed directly into a soft substance like clay, wax, or putty.
Plastic Print
This live-streaming platform owned by Amazon is the most popular destination for gaming streams and esports broadcasts.
Twitch
A short branch extending off a main ridge line that ends abruptly without reconnecting.
Hook (or Spur)
A loop pattern whose ridges curve and open toward the pinky finger side of the hand.
*Double Jeopardy*
Ulnar Loop
An ulnar loop is named after the ulna bone located in this part of the human body.
Forearm (or Arm)
Latent prints are invisible because they are made from this natural substance left behind by human skin.
*Double Jeopardy*
Skin Residue (Oils and Sweat)
This Canadian artist performed at the 2021 Super Bowl Halftime Show and sang hits like "Blinding Lights" and "Starboy."
*Double Jeopardy*
The Weeknd
A short line segment that starts and stops quickly.
Island
A whorl pattern made of two separate loops combined together, often forming an "S" shape.
While a loop pattern always contains exactly one delta, a standard whorl pattern must have at least this many deltas.
*Double Jeopardy*
2
If a suspect touches a wet paint surface and leaves a clear red mark, they left this specific type of print
Patent Print
The term for a meme, video, or picture that spreads rapidly across the internet in a matter of hours.
Viral (or Going Viral)
A line splits in two, and then one branch splits again.
Double Bifurcation
A rare whorl subclass that combines two different pattern types or doesn't fit standard rules.
Accidental Whorl
A fingerprint contains two deltas, and drawing a straight line between them crosses through at least one recurving ridge. Identify this primary whorl subclass.
Plain Whorl
A fingerprint pressed into soft candle wax is classified as this type of print.
Plastic Print
The legendary NBA center who set the all-time single-game scoring record by dropping 100 points in a single game back in 1962.
Wilt Chamberlain