Fingerprinting: Can we invent a way to classify fingerprints?

C
oncepts:
Many areas of scientific study involve the collection of large amounts of data. Such data must
be organised in order to be useful.
The organisation of large amounts of data may become a systems of classification.
Facts about fingerprints:
The patterns of the ridges on our finger tips are unique: no two peopleeven identical twins
have fingerprints that are exactly alike.
We leave copies (our fingerprints) of these patterns on everything we touch with any pressure.
The prints can be easily visible, if our fingers are dirty or oily, or they can be 'hidden', if they
are made only by the sweat that is always present on our finger ridges.
Injuries such as burns or cuts will not change the patterns: when new skin grows in, the same
pattern will come back.
Dactyloscopy is the practice of using fingerprints to identify someone.
Principles:
Fingerprints can be classified by pattern types, by the size of those patterns, and by the position
of the patterns on the finger.
Materials:
1. Index cards
2. Pencil and a sharpener
3. Transparent (scotch) tape
4. Good lighting
5. Hand magnifiersnice to have but not essential
Method:
This is a simple and cheap method.
1. Use a pencil sharpener to create graphite powder from an HB, B or 2B pencil.
2. Rub or drop the powder all over a small area of paper or index card to make an ink pad.
3. Press the index finger onto the area of graphite powder to collect the powder on the finger.
4. Cover the area of the finger with a small piece of transparent Scotch tape.
5. Lift the copy of the print from the finger and stick the tape to white index cards for reading.
Make sure you write the identity of the person beside the print.
6. Try to collect prints from the whole class.
Objective:
Your task is to develop a classification key for the class, using fingerprints only. Your 1st question
should divide the prints into either whorls or loops or arches.

1. Examine the prints and see whether you can divide them into three of four similar groups. Look
at the image at the top of this page to help you.
2. Give the groups suitable names. (Use the names LOOPS, WHORLS & ARCHES.)
3. Then sub-divide the prints in each group, so that each person can be shown to have some sort
of unique fingerprint. Write what those unique features for each print are.
4. When finished, stick your fingerprints and classification scheme into your books.
You might help yourself in this work by doing a little research in the internet.
John Osborne
March 2016