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Minutiae Point Or Identification Patterns: A Case Study

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The second uniqueness of fingerprint is how the ridges on the fingertip are arranged. This is call minutiae point or identifiable point. After identification of the fingerprint pattern, minutiae point identification is important in crime solving because ridges of the fingerprint can make the different in identification result. the ridges are the raised portion of the skin and the valleys are the area between two adjacent ridges. In identification process, the prints found at the crime scene will be match with the prints stored in database at AFIS. So, when the prints are compared against the database, the technician will look for the similarities in minutiae points. According to Thakkar, there are several types so minutiae. These are ridge …show more content…

The fingerprint on each individual’s fingertips do not disappear over time unless they are burned or scarred. This is the reason why fingerprints are unique because it will stay the same for the rest of a person’s life. It is very helpful in crime solving. According to the Daily News by Hastings in 2014, a 23 years old case was re-opened and cracked by a fingerprint left by the killer’s 5 years old kid on the Lego bricks in 1991 (Ref. 5). In the case, Lucille Johnson was beaten to death inside her home in 1991, the killer was never found because some of the testing method such as DNA were not available at the time of her killing, and the fingerprint of the 5 years old kid was not on file at that time either. After 23 years, thank to the development of fingerprint database, the kid’s fingerprints were compared to the same child 23 years after and it were matched. With the help of DNA testing, the killer was finally caught. It is fascinating how a 23 years old case is solved after 23 years with the help of a 23 years old fingerprint. Due to the fact that fingerprint never changes as time goes by, fingerprint is one of the most reliable piece of evidence found at the crime scene, whereas DNA testing seem a little bit …show more content…

Twins share the same genetic make up because they are formed from a single zygote that split into 2 cells. However, the fingerprints are not depending on genetic but to the developmental environment of the womb. Therefore, twin babies can develop two different fingerprint patterns while they are in the womb. This unique characteristic of fingerprint has helped in crime solving, especially in twins involving cases. Based on Ferran from ABC News in 2008 (Ref. 6), in Gwinnett, once again fingerprint became a killer identifying factor. Donald Smith was arrested for murder and carjacking of a preschool teacher in Gwinnett, GA. However, he claimed that he did not commit the crime even though he matched with witness description, and DNA result found at the crime scene. He said that his twin Ronald Smith was to blame for the crime. After the police identified the fingerprint found at the crime scene, it was actually belonging to Ronald instead of Donald even though they share the same DNA. The uniqueness of fingerprint has helped Gwinnett county police solve a rare case. If fingerprint identification never existed, Gwinnett police would’ve caught the wrong person. Therefore, the emphasis of fingerprint over the course of history has made crime solving become more

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