Michele Triplett's Fingerprint Terms ©
A collection of over 800 terms used in the Science of Fingerprint Identification.

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IAFIS
The FBI's Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System.

IAI
International Association for Identification.
The IAI was founded by Harry Caldwell in 1915 in Oakland, California as 
the "International Association for Criminal Identification".  The name 
was changed in 1918 to reflect the noncriminal work done by the 
identification bureaus.  The IAI has put out many publications since its 
inception including the 'International Identification Outlook', 'Sparks 
from the Anvil', 'Identification News' and the 'Journal of Forensic 
Identification'.

IAI Resolutions
Resolution VII passed in 1979:
"THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that any member, officer or certified latent print 
examiner who provides oral or written reports, or gives testimony of possible, 
(underlined for emphasis) probable or likely friction ridge identification 
shall be deemed to be engaged in conduct unbecoming such member, officer or 
certified latent print examiner as described in Article XVII, Section 5, of 
the constitution of the International Association for Identification, and 
charges may be brought under such conditions set forth in Article XVI, Section 
5, of the constitution.  If such member be a certified latent print examiner, 
his conduct and status shall be reconsidered by the Latent Print Certification 
Board..."
www.clpex.com detail 78 Feb.3 2003

Resolution V, 1980- the amended version of Resolution VII, 1979:
"Now therefore be it resolved that any member, officer or certified latent 
print examiner who initiates or volunteers oral or written reports or testimony 
of possible, probable or likely friction ridge identification, or who, when 
required in a judicial proceeding to provide such reports or testimony, does 
not qualify it with a statement that the print in question could be that of 
someone else, shall be deemed to be engaged in conduct unbecoming such member,..."
http://www.latent-prints.com/realizing_the_full_value_of_late.htm

Resolution for a Minimum Number of Characteristics
In 1973, The IAI Standardization Committee released the results of a three-year study.  
They recommended and adopted that “no valid basis exists at this time for requiring 
that a pre-determined minimum number of friction ridge characteristics must be 
present in two impressions in order to establish positive identification.”  This was 
based on the fact that each print has a unique set of circumstances. 
http://www.latent-prints.com/iai_standardization_committee.htm 03-21-2003 

IEEGFI I and IEEGFI II
The Interpol European Expert Group on Fingerprint Identification.  The IEEGFI I 
was adopted by the 29th European Regional Conference, held in Reykjavik, Iceland.  
The IEEGFI II was formed in May 2000 and was a progression of the IEEGFI II.  
The goals of this group are 'To explore, define and establish common terminology 
concerning the content of the fingerprint identification process and the general 
application of this process to the detection, validation and comparison of ridge 
detail, so as to provide basis for communication and promote uniformity' and 'To 
define and establish recognised principles concerning the application of this 
process so that it can be standardised, controlled and made objective. This may 
cover aspects such as definitions, norms, standards, rules, guidelines and rules 
of thumb'.
http://www.interpol.int/Public/Forensic/fingerprints/WorkingParties/IEEGFI2/default.asp#4 

INC
The common abbreviation for an ‘inconclusive’ determination, meaning that a conclusive 
determination could not be arrived at.

INC is also used to indicate ‘incomplete’, meaning that a full comparison could not be 
completed.

ISO
International Organization for Standardization.

Icnofalangometric or Icnofalangometria
The original name of the classification system developed by Juan Vucetich.  
This name was later changed to 'Dactiloscopico' or 'Dactiloscopy'.

Identakey
A system of classification developed in the 1930's by G. Tyler Mairs.  The aim of 
this classification system was to unite the morphology described by Wilder and 
Whipple and judicial identification.  Fingerprints were broken down into classes, 
families, orders, genus, species and subspecies.  This system never caught on.  
Suspect Identities, Simon A. Cole 2001 Harvard University Press

Identification
See Individualization.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

The act or process of identifying; prove to be the same.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press

Establishing an association with a group or individual item.

Identification News
A magazine produced by the IAI and published from 1951-1957.  In 2008, the IAI 
began publishing Identification News again starting with Vol. 38 No.1.

Ideology
A set of doctrines or beliefs that form the basis of a political, 
economic, or other system. 
The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=ideology 02-27-03

Image Reversal
An Image Reversal is when the friction ridges in a latent print are reversed 
from the standard direction.  This typically occurs in unintentional transferred 
prints and on latents lifted with rubber lifters.

Impressed Print
See Plastic Print.

Incipient
Beginning; coming into existence; immature.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press

Beginning to exist or appear.
The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=incipient 05-13-03

Incipient Ridge
A friction ridge not fully developed which may appear shorter and 
thinner in appearance than fully developed friction ridges 
(interstitial, nascent).
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

An incipient ridge is an immature friction ridge.  There are two kinds of 
ridges both described by the word incipient.  
1) An 'incipient ridge' may describe a ridge that is thinner and shallower 
than the surrounding ridges.  These incipient ridges may have immature pores 
associated with them.  They may not appear in all representations but are 
permanent and repeatable friction ridge characteristics. (Ashbaugh, 1999)
2) An 'incipient ridge' may describe a ridge that is thinner and shallower 
than the surrounding ridges. These ridges do not have pores associated with 
them.  Generally, they are not visible the first few years of life.  They 
do not appear in all representations, but once visible they are permanent 
and repeatable.  They may be considered occasional print features.

Inclusion
A latent image concurs with the exemplar but there is not enough to 
individualize.

Inconclusive
The inability to either individualize or exclude an area of friction ridge.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

1, 2-Indanedione
Compound that reacts with the amino acids present in print residue, 
producing a fluorescent product when exposed to excitation wavelengths 
of 352-591 nm.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

A chemical process used to find latent prints on porous items.  The chemical 
reacts with the amino acids in fingerprint residue and fluoresces under certain 
wavelengths.  Optimal viewing is done at 515nm-570nm with orange or red goggles.  
This chemical process is an alternative to DFO reportedly resulting in similar 
quality prints at a lower cost and easier to prepare.  
Research by Jon Stimac of the Oregon State Police showed that the HFE-7100 
formulation published by Wiesner (JFS 2001) can be used on thermal papers.
http://www.bvda.com/EN/prdctinf/en_ind_1.html 06-25-2003

Independent
Free from external influence, guidance, control, or constraint.

Individual Characteristics
Individual characteristics are those features that separate one item from another, 
as opposed to class characteristics.  When referring to fingerprints, level 2 and 
level 3 details are considered to be individual characteristics.

Individualization
The state of being individualized.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press

The determination that corresponding areas of friction ridge impressions 
originated from the same source to the exclusion of all others (identification).
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Individualize
Differentiate from other individuals; distinctive.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press

Inductive Reasoning  
Reasoning from detailed facts to general principles  
WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=inductive%20reasoning 02-27-03

Infrared
Light wavelengths longer than the visible spectrum, 700- 1,000,000 nm.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Inherent Luminescence
Luminescence resulting from selected wavelength illumination without 
chemical treatment.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Inked Print (Finger, Palm, Foot)
See Exemplar.
See Known Print.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Inner Terminus
See Core.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Institute of Applied Science
The Institute of Applied Science was founded in Chicago, Illinois in 1916 
by Captain William K. Evans, of the United States Military Intelligence 
Agency, and T. G. Cooke.  The original name was "Evans University".  One 
year after it was established Captain Evans was recalled to military 
service for World War I.  At this time he severed his connections with 
the school and the name was changed to "The University of Applied Science".  
Around 1929, the name was again changed to "The Institute of Applied Science".  
The IAS started as a correspondence school specializing in all aspects of 
identification work.  In 1919, they began publishing a monthly newsletter 
called "Finger Print Magazine" which was later changed to "Finger Print and 
Identification Magazine".  In 1952, T.G. Cooke died and his sons T. Dickerson 
Cooke and Donald Cooke took over running the institution.  They retired in 
1975 and Sirchie took over ownership of the school.  Their magazine stopped 
being published around 1978.  The IAS was, and continues to be, an instrumental 
part of training experts in the identification field.
Finger Print and Identification Magazine Oct. 1938
Journal of Forensic Identification 40 (1) 1994

Interdigital
Palmar area below the fingers and above the thenar and hypothenar areas.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Between the digits; an area at the base of the digits.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press

In some countries, such as Portugal, this area of the palm is known as the superior 
region instead of the interdigital region.

Interdigital Delta’s
The deltas in the interdigital region of the palm have been referred to as the 
clean delta, the snow cones, and the side cone.

International Association for Identification
See IAI.

International Identification Outlook
The International Identification Outlook was the first periodical published 
by the IAI.  It began in 1916 and was only published for a short time. 

Interstitial
Relating to or situated in the small, narrow spaces between tissues 
or parts of an organ.
The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=interstitial07-01-2003  

SWGFAST refers to incipient ridges as Interstitial.

Alfred R. Hale refers to interstitial ridges as Secondary ridges in 
his paper "Morphogenesis of Volar Skin in the Human Fetus" 1952.

Intervening Ridges
The number of friction ridges between two characteristics.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Intuition
The act or faculty of knowing or sensing without the use of rational 
processes; immediate cognition.
Knowledge gained by the use of this faculty; a perceptive insight. 
A sense of something not evident or deducible; an impression.
The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=intuition 03-18-2003

Instinctive knowing (without the use of rational processes) 2: an 
impression that something might be the case.
WordNet ® 1.6, © 1997 Princeton University
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=intuition 03-18-2003

Inverted Ridges
See Tonal Reversal.

Iodine
Element used as either a vapor or solution; binds with fats and oils 
to visualize friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf

Iodine vapors are best used on porous surfaces.  They color the fats and 
oils present in sebaceous residue and as the iodine evaporates, the color 
fades.  It has been found that iodine works best on latents that are freshly 
deposited.   Due to the hazards associated with it and the advances of other 
processing techniques, iodine is seldom used.

Iodine-Silver Transfer Method
A method for recovering friction ridge detail.  Developed by John McMorris and 
presented at the IAI California Division Conference in 1936.

Islands
Friction ridges of varying lengths. 
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press

Isopropanol (Isopropyl Alcohol)
Solvent used in the preparation of reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf



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Copyright © 2002-2008, Michele Triplett. All rights reserved.