Michael J. Campbell, CSCSA

Introduction to the Science
of Friction Ridge Examination

About this Course

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Course Description

5 Day Course

The knowledge of how to evaluate, compare and identify friction skin is accomplished through many hours of training and experience that involves independent study and one on one mentoring by an expert. This course is designed to start that process through a series of lectures, practical exercises and drills that are specifically designed to increase the student’s knowledge and foster confidence in the usefulness of the science and their ability to use it. Many different facets of friction skin examination will be explored and the challenges associated with the science will be discussed in detail. Each participant will understand the principles underlying the science and as a result, they should have a practical, functional knowledge of how to examine friction skin upon completion of the course. The course starts by teaching the “language” of friction skin examination and pattern recognition. Then the student will learn how to use all three “levels of detail” and apply ACE-V. methodology as the basis for the examination process.

At the completion of this 40 hour course the student will be able to understand the following:

• Understand the difference between the “Classification” of fingerprints and the “Identification” of fingerprints
• Understand the three types of “classification systems” in use today – Henry, NCIC and IAFIS
• Understand, interpret and recognize the three basic fingerprint patterns and their eight sub-sets – arches, loops and whorls
• Understand the basic principles behind the use of fingerprints as a means of positive human identification – Uniqueness and Persistence.
• Understand the three “Levels of Detail” used today in fingerprint examination – fingerprint patterns with their ridge flows, ridge events or points of identification and the individual ridge units made up of pores and the sides of the ridges.
• Understand A.C.E. – V. methodology used by experts to compare and individualize or eliminate fingerprints
• Understand the concepts for “prints of value”
• Understand the use of “Point Standards” in some countries and by some prosecutors
• Understand the various concepts related to the “verification” process of ACE – V.
• Understand that absolutely no decision is reported without verification by another expert
• Understand the Daubert decision as it relates to fingerprint examination
• Understand what an “AFIS computer system” does and how it is used in various ways to assist fingerprint examiners as well as how “Live Scan” technology impacts this process today