The Science of Fingerprints

Catalog description

This course will allow students to examine every facet of the discipline, from the history of friction ridge identification and its earliest pioneers and researchers, skin growth in the embryo, structure of skin, scarring and histology, the chemistry of sweat and other secretions, to the scientific basis and the various steps of the identification process. The structure and growth of friction skin and how it can leave latent or visible prints are examined, as well as advanced identification methods in ridgeology, including Poroscopy, Edgeoscopy, Pressure Distortion and Complex or Problem Print Analysis. Students will learn how to process porous and non- porous items for friction ridge detail and how to preserve these impressions. Students will take known impressions and practice comparing developed impressions to these known exemplars.