Fingerprint General Information & Facts

Due largely to television there are a lot of misconceptions about fingerprints and the circumstances surrounding how they are obtained and identified. If only it were as easy as its shown on television to be able to "run" a set of prints and get back, in mere seconds, not only who the prints belong to but also their current address, hangouts and of course, the type of car they are in at that particular moment in time. Ah, if only things were as easy as Hollywood. Here are a few quick facts though that are accurate.

Can Two People Have The Same Fingerprint Classification?

Yes. Fingerprint classifications, both Henry classification and NCIC classification are based on the pattern types and the locations (fingers) where those patterns occur. Because of this it is entirely possible for two people to have the same fingerprint classification. The Henry classification is simply a filing sequence so that a fingerprint card can be retrieved by the classification code, much like retrieving something filed alphabetically. One of the components of the Henry classification, called the 'primary' is determined by adding specific values for whorls which occur in specific blocks. It matters not when determining the primary if the whorl is a plain, double, central pocket or accidental, only that it is a whorl. So the answer is yes, two people can have the same fingerprint classification.

What is NCIC Classification and what is it used for?

NCIC classification, which is much easier to do and requires a lot less aspirin to figure out, is only pattern specific as to each individual finger and pattern and not a combination of fingers and patterns as the Henry classification is. There are no combination factors in NCIC classification like there is in Henry classification. NCIC is a much more simplified system but it is not sufficient for a filing sequence for a large 10 print database. NCIC classification is simply a method to indicate pattern types to specific fingers and something which can be readily entered into a computer system and can help to identify a potential suspect.

Can I positively identify someone based on an NCIC classification?

No. Classification is the method of determining the print patterns and placement and then assigning a code to the fingerprint card so that it can be filed and retrieved by that code. Identification, on the other hand, has nothing to do with classification since identifications can be made on one finger alone or much less than one finger. Two people can, as stated above, have the same classification but when examined for identification no two people have the same fingerprint.

Identification is the process where a fingerprint expert identifies two fingerprints has having come from the same person to the exclusion of any other person in the world. Usually this is accomplished by making a comparison from a latent or crime scene fingerprint (the unknown) to an inked impression from a 10 print card (the known). Other such examinations include examining one or more 10 print cards to determine if, in fact, the impressions were made by the same person.

Is There A Set Number Of Points Required For A Positive Identification?

No. There is no law (at least in the United States) requiring a specific number of points of identification for an examiner to say that one impression is identical to another. The FBI Manual of Fingerprinting says that 12 is "sufficient" but the 'standard' is generally 8 or more. When I was in the FBI Academy I was told that the FBI had called a print with 7 points, this is the least number of points used to render an opinion that I am aware of.