SAVED
Safe Approach Vapourized Evidence Device.
SCAFO
Southern California Association of Fingerprint Officers.
SCRO
Scottish Criminal Record Office. Founded in April 1960.
SKEET
An acronym for the requirement an expert must have; skills, knowledge,
education, experience, and training.
SMANZL
Senior Managers Australian and New Zealand Forensic Laboratories.
SOCO
From the Greater Manchester Police, Scenes Of Crime Officer (now CSEO).
SPR
Small Particle Reagent. Suspension in which molybdenum disulphide
adheres to fats and oils, allowing for visualization of friction
ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
SSO
An AFIS term meaning Sending Search to Other, referring to searching another
AFIS system from your system.
SWGFAST
Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology.
Established by the FBI in 1995 as TWGFAST. The name was changed to SWGFAST in
1999. This organization develops standards and guidelines in the area of friction
skin identification. In 2007, it was officially recognized that SWGFAST
represented both the tenprint profession as well as the latent print profession.
Safe Approach Vapourized Evidence Device (SAVED)
A robotic device developed by Sgt. Dave Wood from Calgary, Canada. This
device is designed to find fingerprints on objects that are too dangerous
for a person to handle. It fumes the object and photographs any latent
prints found prior to the object being destroyed. To date, this device has
never been used in actual casework but it is anticipated that it will be
soon. In Nov. 2004 SAVED was shown on the television show CSI.
Safranin O
Red dye which produces fluorescence when exposed to selected
wavelengths of light; used to visualize cyanoacrylate fumed friction
ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Sampson, William C. and Karen L.
William Sampson (1936-Nov. 28, 2007) is recognized as the most knowledgeable
individual regarding the recovery of latent prints from human skin. He
retired from the Miami-Dade Police Department after 38 years of service
that included assignments to Radio Patrol, Foot Patrol, Traffic Homicide,
Training Advisor, Training Bureau; Crime Scene Investigator; Interim
Administrative Supervisor/Crime Scene Investigations Bureau, Liaison
to Miami-Dade Police Department's Crime Laboratory and the Miami-Dade
Medical Examiner Department. Bill Sampson’s training and special projects
include Coordinator for the Crime Scene Investigations Bureau; Certified
Instructor by the Florida State General Police Standards Commission and
has served as an adjunct professor at the Miami-Dade Community College.
He has taught over 250 law enforcement entities, several universities,
nine International Association for Identification International Conferences,
numerous IAI Divisional Conferences, International Chiefs of Police
Conference, and for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences.
Several awards have recognized his contributions and accomplishments.
He is the recipient of the Miami-Dade Police Department's Distinguished
Service Award, recipient of 6 consecutive NACo (1990 thru 1995) Awards,
the National Association of Counties for excellence in county government
achievements in the field of Forensic Science, and the recipient of Ford
Foundation Award.
He’s held an active role in the International Association for Identification;
being a Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst, Distinguished Member, recipient
of the prestigious John Dondero Award, served on several committee positions
and Past Chair Person of the Safety Committee, as well as a member of the
Editorial Review Board.
Mr. Sampson has also been involved in many other organizations. He is a
retired Fellow of the British Fingerprint Society, Honorary Life Member of
the Utah State Division of the IAI, member of the Florida Division of the
IAI and has served on Board of Directors, Historian, District Director and
served on various committees; recipient of Sustained Achievement Award and
the Outstanding Science Award.
Karen Sampson is President of KLS Forensics Inc., which the Sampson’s
established in 1995. This company provides hands-on intensive training in
various crime scene related subjects. KLS Forensics also assists law
enforcement agencies when requested. Her expertise includes the fields of
textiles, Product Identification and it’s origin and Photography. She is a
past instructor and consultant for Miami-Dade Police department and the Miami-
Dade Medial Examiner's Office. She has also taught at 4 International Annual
Conferences of the IAI, numerous divisional conferences, American Academy of
Forensic Sciences and numerous law enforcement entities and universities.
Karen Sampson has attended and successfully completed specialized training in
the fields of fingerprint comparison, Forensic Photography and Crime Scene
Analysis.
She is a member of the International Association for Identification, American
Academy of Forensic Sciences, Florida Division of the IAI, Honorary Life member
of Utah State Division of the IAI, and served on the IAI’s 1995 committee on
Management Issues.
Sandwich Method
The Sandwich Method is a dry process used to develop friction ridge
detail on porous items. Transfer sheets are first prepared by soaking
clean sheets of paper in the desired chemical and allowed to air dry
(commonly ninhydrin or DMAC are used). Then the paper to be processed
is placed between the transfer sheets and processed normally. The
benefits to this method are that no bleeding of the ink or background
discoloration occurs.
Santamaria Method
Florentino Santamaria Beltran, Chief of the Technical Police Laboratory in Madrid,
Spain, was perhaps the first person to publish a quality and quantity approach to
evaluating ridge characteristics. Santamaria did research in the 1940’s and
presented his findings in June of 1953 at the 22nd General Assembly of the
International Criminal Police Commission in Oslo, Norway. Santamaria recognized
that some characteristics were rarer than others and all characteristics shouldn’t
carry the same weight. Santamaria may have been the initial inspiration behind
recognizing that a numerical standard was not the best approach in quantifying a
fingerprint identification.
Scar
A mark remaining after the healing of a wound.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
A mark left on the skin after an injury to the dermis or a mark left on
the skin after an injury to the generating layer of the epidermis. If an
injury to the generating layer of the epidermis removes sufficient
regenerating cells, the cells cannot reproduce the original characteristics
of the skin, leaving fibrous tissue or a scar.
Scarf skin
Dry or dead skin which has scaled and peeled away from the surface skin.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Science
The observation, identification, description, experimental investigation,
and theoretical explanation of phenomena.
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=science 02-27-03
A way of gaining knowledge about a natural phenomenon and the body of knowledge
derived from this approach. This systematic form of reasoning differs from other forms
of reasoning, (like hearsay, intuition, a belief system or coincidence) by gaining
knowledge through testable observations, peer review, and other scientific guidelines.
These procedures insure objectivity resulting in a more reliable, credible and
consistent type of knowledge.
Scientific Method
The principles and empirical processes of discovery and demonstration
considered characteristic of or necessary for scientific investigation,
generally involving the observation of phenomena, the formulation of a
hypothesis concerning the phenomena, experimentation to demonstrate the
truth or falseness of the hypothesis, and a conclusion that validates or
modifies the hypothesis.
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=scientific%20method 02-27-03
The process by which we gain our knowledge (the most common form is
hypothesis testing).
Based on evidence, not on belief. Make a distinction between other
forms of explanation like emotions, chance, intuition, ignoring what
does not fit, guessing. Used to support or disprove a hypothesis.
Not a set of rules, a way of gathering information objectively about
natural phenomenon. Conclusions should be explainable, falsifiable
and reproducible.
Scientific proof
It is a myth that scientific proof exists. The goal of science is
not to provide proof but to find reasonable explanations of natural
phenomenon.
Scientist
William Whewell first coined the word science in 1833. Before then,
thinkers in science were known as 'natural philosophers'. The first
of these natural philosophers that history records were Thales and
his contemporaries, Anaximander and Anaximenes, who lived in Greece
around 600BC, although there were also similar people to be found in
China, India, Egypt and Mesopotamia. Whewell chose the terms 'science'
and 'scientist' from the Latin scire 'to know'. So 'science' is the
pursuit of knowledge.
http://www.sciencenet.org.uk/database/General/0104/x00046d.html 02-27-03
One who has a deep understanding of a certain body of knowledge and
rigorously adheres to scientific principles, guidelines, and methodologies
in order to formulate theoretical knowledge or conclusions.
Sebaceous Glands
Small subcutaneous glands, usually connected with hair
follicles. They secrete an oily semifluid matter, composed in
great part of fat, which softens and lubricates the hair and skin.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc
An oil-secreting gland generally associated with a hair follicle.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Sebaceous Sweat
See Sebum.
Sebum
A fatty secretion of the sebaceous glands.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
The secretion of the sebaceous gland. Composed of lipids, which are
fats, oils and waxes.
Second Level Detail (also see Level 2 Detail)
Ridge path, major ridge path deviations, and paths caused by
damage such as scars.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Secondary
An alpha expression derived from the pattern type of the index fingers.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Secondary Ridges
Ridges on the bottom of the epidermis under the surface furrows.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
The term 'secondary ridge' can be used to describe many different areas
of the skin. It is not important to discern whether one is right or
wrong, just to understand the area that is being referred to. How this
term is used will also effect how the terms 'primary ridges' and 'papillary
ridges' are used.
1) Hale: Ridges at bottom of the epidermis that correspond to the surface
furrows.
2) Surface ridges may be referred to as secondary ridges in the respect
that the ridges at the dermal-epidermal junction grow first, considered
as primary ridges, and the surface ridges appear later. It appears to
be interpreted this way in the U.S. vs. Carlos Ivan Llera Plaza opinion
dated 1/7/2002.
3) In "Bloom and Fawcett's Concise Histology" primary ridges and secondary
ridges refer to the ridges of the dermis and the ridges in the epidermis
that Hale refers to are considered epidermal grooves.
Secretor
The medical profession defines a secretor as someone who secretes their blood
type antigens into their body fluids. When this is happens the medical
professionals can determine the blood type of a person just by analyzing a body
fluid, like saliva or semen. A non-secretor is a person who doesn’t secrete
their blood type into their body fluids.
The fingerprint industry uses the term ‘non-secretor’ to describe a person who
doesn’t sweat. It’s important to be aware of all the latent print recovery
conditions in order to acknowledge that being a non-secretor doesn’t imply a
person is unable to leave a latent print.
Sequential Processing
Use of a series of development techniques in a specific order to
maximize development of friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Set
See Perceptual set.
Shanndon-xylene
Technique used to separate adhesive surfaces.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Short Ridge
A single friction ridge beginning, traveling a short distance, and ending.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Shoulders
Where a recurving ridge tends to turn.
Side Cone
A term popularized by Ron Smith to describe the delta in the interdigital
area that is below the little finger.
Silva, Dr. Rodolfo Xavier da
In November 1904, Dr. Xavier da Silva and a fingerprint expert of the Lisbon
Anthropometric Office (Posto Antropométrico de Lisboa), Leonel Pereira, had
identified the corpse of a stranger by his fingerprints. It seems to be the
first corpse identification in Europe by this method. The first in the world
belonged to the Juan Vucetich in 1895.
Dactiloscopia, 1938
Silver Nitrate
Chemical used in the Physical Developer, Multimetal Deposition and
Silver Nitrate processes. Used alone, silver nitrate reacts with
salt to develop friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Early documentation reveals that the silver nitrate process was developed
in the 1910's. In 1918, the IAI Conference gave a presentation on this
process. Different people were experimenting with it but it's development
is historically credited to Dr. Erastus Mead Hudson. The silver nitrate
process became well known after Dr. Hudson recovered latent prints on a
ladder used in the Lindbergh kidnapping case (1932). In later years, Dr.
Hudson did additional research with the New York Police Department exploring
other possible uses for the silver nitrate process, such as recovering
latent prints from cloth and gloves.
Finger Print and Identification Magazine, Vol. 17, No. 3, September 1935.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has also taken credit for the development
of silver nitrate. They claim that it was first used in 1933 in the William
Hamm kidnapping case (the president of the Hamm Brewing Company).
Silver Plate Transfer Method
See Iodine-Silver Transfer Method.
Simas, Alexandre Duarte de Cabedo (Dec. 20, 1945-present)
Mr. Simas is one of the most well known fingerprint experts in Portugal. He
began his career in Criminalistics in 1981, specializing in fingerprints.
During this time he took various courses such as “Teaching Techniques”, “Crime
Scene Photography”, “AFIS”, and “Biological Criminalistic”.
After working for several years as Bureau’s Chief in Sector de Identificação
Judiciária, he became Professor of Criminalistics and Investigation for all
courses at ISPJCC (Instituto Superior de Polícia Judiciária e Ciências Criminais),
the equivalent to the FBI’s Quantico.
Alexandre Simas has accumulated a long list of police agencies he has been
responsible for training. He was the professor and training supervisor to the
criminal police of São Tomé e Príncipe, Cape Verde Islands, and in charge of
investigation courses for the rural and suburban police. Invited professor in
after-graduation in “Criminal Sciences” in Universidade Internacional in Figueira
da Foz, Professor in after-graduation in “Criminal Sciences” in “Universidade Moderna”
and “Faculdade de Ciências do Sul”, as well as supervisor of fingerprint courses in
Polícia de Segurança Pública. Mr. Simas has also lectured in several attorney and
judges courses.
Besides his teaching credentials, Mr. Simas is also an AFIS computer specialist. He
was a technical assessor for installation and assembly of the Fingerprint Bureau of
Cabo Verde and São Tomé e Príncipe criminal police.
He is recognized as being a mass disaster specialist and was instrumental in the
identification of 144 corpses in an aerial disaster in the Santa Maria Island,
Azores with an American Boeing 707, in 1989.
Alexandre Simas was a member of the Prevention Local Group in EXPO98 in Lisbon,
participated in “100 years of fingerprints in Scotland Yard”, in London, UK, participant
in “Motorolla-Printrak Users Conference”, in Los Angeles, USA, and was the
representative of Polícia Judiciária in the “First International Conference and
Exhibition on Forensic Human Identifications” in London.
Mr. Simas has authored the books “A identificação de A a Z” and “A Identificação em
Grandes Catástrofes”. He has also co-authored and collaborator on several others
technical books.
Alexandre Simas has significantly contributed to the science of friction ridge
identification and is recognized as one of the leading experts in his field.
Simian Crease
Single crease that crosses the palm in a place of the distal and
proximal creases.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Simultaneous Court Cases (not a complete list)
Commonwealth (of Massachusetts) v. Terry L. Patterson (1995)
Commonwealth (of Massachusetts) v. Terry L. Patterson (2005 - Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling)
Simultaneous Impressions
Friction ridge impressions are simultaneous if they are deposited with one touch
to the item. Individual segments of a simultaneous impression may not have
sufficient value to arrive at a conclusion of identity on their own but may have
sufficient value to arrive at a conclusion of identity in the aggregate (using all the
information in the simultaneous impressions). There is no scientific basis requiring
that each segment of a simultaneous impression have sufficient value to arrive at
a conclusion of identity individually. Simultaneous impressions are considered
cluster prints.
Simultaneous Impressions, factors of:
Impressions are said to be simultaneous if sufficient factors are present. These factors
can include: orientation (direction), spatial relationship (spacing and position),
anatomical area, anatomical size, anatomical features (such as ridge width, flow,
and creases), characteristics of the developmental medium, distortion (lateral and
direct pressure, length of smearing, direction of smearing, curvature of smearing,
and consistencies in ridge widths). Some impressions may easily be determined to
have been left simultaneously because there is attachment of the ridges (a thenar
and a hypothenar may have been left simultaneously and this is known because
no space is present between the sections). Level 2 or Level 3 details are not
factors in determining simultaneity.
Skin
The outer covering of the body consisting of the dermis and epidermis.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Skin Layers
The two main layers of the skin are the epidermis and dermis.
The epidermis consists of 5 layers (starting from the outer most layer):
Stratum Corneum (Horny Layer)
Stratum Lucidum (Clear Layer)
Stratum Granulosum (Granular Layer)
Stratum Spinosum (Prickly Layer)
Stratum Germinativum (Basal Layer or Malpighian Layer)
The dermis consists of 2 layers (starting closest to the epidermis):
Papillary Layer
Reticular Layer
Small Detail Axiom
"The smaller the detail found...progressively in agreement during comparison,
the more individualizing power it has".
As stated by David R. Ashbaugh in United States of America vs. Byron C. Mitchell.
Small Particle Reagent
See SPR
Smith, David W. MD
Wrote "The Genesis of Dermatoglyphics" with Mulvihill, John J. MD
for the Journal of Pediatrics, Oct. 1969 issue. It is said to be
on of the most thorough discussions of fingerprint formation.
Their findings were:
6-8 weeks after conception volar pads form
10-12 weeks volar pads begin to recede
13th week skin ridges begin to appear
21st week after conception fingerprint patters are complete
http://www.handanalysis.net/library/derm_history.htm 02-27-03
Smith, Ron
Ron Smith is a world-renowned authority on friction ridge identification.
In 2001, he retired as the Associate Director of the Mississippi Crime
Laboratory and established and directs "Ron Smith & Associates, Inc.".
This company provides technical training to forensic specialists and
criminal investigation. Mr. Smith is most well known for his educational
seminars "Demystifying Palm Prints" and "Courtroom Testimony Techniques-
Success instead of Survival". Through these seminars, his lectures and
his international consulting he has established himself as an instrumental
and essential part of the forensic science field. Ron Smith's research
and contributions regarding palm print analysis have provided examiners
worldwide with the fundamental tools needed for latent palm print
recognition. In 2001, he received recognition for his numerous
accomplishments when the IAI presented him with the John A. Dondero award,
the IAI's highest honor. According to the IAI website, he is the 17th person
to ever receive this award.
Snow Cones
A term popularized by Ron Smith to describe the middle deltas in the interdigital
area.
Sodium Acetate
Chemical used in the preparation of reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Sodium Bicarbonate
Chemical used in the preparation of reagents.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Sodium Chloride
One of the inorganic components of perspiration or eccrine sweat. Salt.
Sodium Hypochlorite (Household Bleach)
Solution used to clear ninhydrin stains and to darken the silver
deposits of Physical Developer.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
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