Fingerprints (2^nd Ed.) Analysis and Understanding the Science

Fingerprints: Analysis and Understanding the Science, Second Edition is a thorough update of Mark Hawthorne?s classic written by two professionals with combined experience not only in crime scene investigations but also as court-recognized experts in latent print examination. Designed as a concise text to cover the fundamental techniques and principles of obtaining and analyzing latent fingerprint evidence, the book is laid out and written in an easy to understand format for those front-line professionals collecting and analyzing fingerprint evidence.

Over time, the degree of sophistication and education on fingerprints and friction ridge analysis has increased. Ultimately, through scientific study by pioneers in the field, the composition of friction skin soon became evident: that it could be used as a unique identifier of individuals. Now, fingerprints and footprints as unique identifiers?and their use in criminal cases?have become commonplace and an essential component of criminal investigation with most cases involving some component of fingerprint evidence.

Divided into two parts, the book begins with the basics of analysis, providing a brief history, systematic methods of identification, fingerprint pattern types and their associated terminologies and current classifications. The second part of the book discusses the identification and presentation of evidence in the courtroom, demonstrating both the traditional, manual method of lifting prints and the newer techniques for automated and live scans. Coverage provides instruction on searching and developing latent prints, storage, and comparison of prints.

New to this edition are updated techniques on collecting and preserving fingerprint evidence?including packaging and maintaining chain of custody. More detailed documentation processes, and additional chemical and lifting techniques, are described including use of light sources, latent backing cards and lifting material, casting material, ten print cards, and the enhancement of prints in blood. A discussion of laboratory equipment and comparison tools, the addition of photography techniques, and recent courtroom challenges to fingerprint evidence is also presented.

Fingerprints, Second Edition will provide a hands-on, fresh look at the most commonly utilized evidence found at crime scenes: fingerprints. The book will provide law enforcement, crime scene personnel and students just such an opportunity to easily understand and grasp the concepts, and relevant issues, associated with friction skin and fingerprint evidence.

Preface. Acknowledgements. About the Authors. Part I: Fingerprints Analysis. Chapter 1 – The History of Fingerprints. Chapter 2 – Systematic Methods of Identification. Chapter 3 – Fingerprint Pattern Types and Associated Terminology. Chapter 4 – Introduction to Classification Systems. Part II: Development, Identification, and Presentation of Fingerprints. Chapter 5 – Known/Direct/Inked Fingerprints; Processing Technique for Unknown/Latent Fingerprints. Chapter 6 – Court Preparation and Presentation. Appendix A. Appendix B. Appendix C. Bibliography. Index.

Mark R. Hawthorne, now retired, was a professor and faculty member at the City College of San Francisco, where he began teaching in 1985 in the Administration of Justice programs and has also served as the coordinator of the forensic science program in criminal justice. In addition, he was an instructor at Sky-line College in San Bruno, California and taught at other universities and colleges since 1985. Mr. Hawthorne possesses an Associate of Arts, Bachelor of Arts and Master’s degrees. He was previously the lead instructor in physical evidence and crime scenes at the San Francisco Police Regional Training Academy. Mark is also a retired member of the San Francisco Police Department after serving with distinction for twenty-nine years, the last twenty-three as a crime scene investigator. During his career, Mark has processed more than three thousand crime scenes, has processed thousands of pieces of evidence and has testified as an expert witness numerous times in California state courts as well as U.S. district courts. Mark has conducted thousands of fingerprint comparisons and has made in excess of three thousand identifications. Mark is also an I.A.I. Certified Latent Print Examiner as well as a Certified Senior Crime Scene Analyst. Mark is also a recognized subject matter expert by the State of California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training in subject matter of physical evidence and crime scenes. Mark has made numerous presentations to various forensic organizations and meetings and is a published author (First Unit Responder: A Guide for the Physical Evidence Collection for Patrol Officers.) He also mentored and assisted countless students achieve the goal in the Forensic Science field.

Sharon L. Plotkin obtained her Masters of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Florida International University. She obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Social Work, also from Flori