A Statistical Examination of Friction Ridge Skin Patterns in the Interdigital, Hypothenar, and Thenar Areas of the Palms
Friction ridge skin, which is only located on the fingers, palms, and soles of the feet, has been used in the identification of individuals before the beginning of the twentieth century. A majority of the information known about friction ridge skin has been accumulated through the extensive research of fingerprints. Studies have been conducted to statistically categorize general patterns located on the fingerprints in order to include or exclude an individual for identification purposes. Although fingerprints offer great insight into the importance of friction ridge skin in forensic science, palm print patterns and characteristics have been relatively ignored. Therefore, a statistical evaluation of palm print patterns is necessary to assist latent print examiners in the inclusion and exclusion of prints during friction ridge classification.
fingerprints, fingerprinting, friction ridge analysis, history of fingerprinting, Criminology and Criminal Justice
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