Fingerprints and Questioned Documents

Course Objectives

To learn about core subjects of forensic
To provide knowledge about personal identification using fingerprint
To provide knowledge about handwriting and its basic concepts that will aid in detection of forgery and determining authorship.

Learning Outcomes

After completion of course student of will be able to:
Identify individual from fingerprint and establish identity.
Can efficiently develop fingerprint
Identify signature forgeries and handwriting forgeries.
Determine authorship
Examine printout documents.

Course Syllabus

UNIT- I
History of Fingerprint Sciences, main function of FPB
Development of Fingerprint Sciences
Composition of sweat and secretion of sweat. Pattern types & Ridge characteristics
Ridge tracing, Ridge counting
UNIT- II
x Various systems for FP classification.
x Henry classification system, numerical value, symbol, primary classification, secondary classification, sub-secondary classification and final classification, NCIC classification, AFIS classification.
UNIT- III
Development, Identification & Presentation of FP
Known prints & Rolled impressions, Direct or Inked prints.
Development of Latent Prints & Lifting techniques
Physical & chemical Methods: Powder techniques & Various chemical techniques, Processing of Post developed prints.
Finger print comparison & Identification.
Introduction to AFIS
UNIT- IV
Nature and problems of document examination,
Care of documents, classification of documents,
Procurements of standards- admitted / specimen writings,
Handling and packing of documents,
Preliminary examination of documents,
Principles of hand writing & signature identification.
Forgeries & its types and their detections
Physical matching of Documents
UNIT- V
Examination of alterations, erasers, overwriting, addition and obliterations.
Decipherment of secret, indented and charred documents,
Photography of questioned documents.
Determination of sequence of strokes
Examination of counterfeit currency notes, passport, credit card, visa, seal and other mechanical impressions
Examination of typescripts, xerox and computer printouts
Instrumental techniques used for document examinations

Reference Books:
David R. Ashbaugh; Quantitative and Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, CRC Press
E. Roland Menzel; Fingerprint Detection, with Lasers, Second edition; Marcel, Dekker, Inc. USA.
James F. Cowger; Friction Ridge skin CRC Press London.
Mehta, M.K: Identification of Thumb Impression & Cross Examination of Finger Prints, N
.M. Tripathi (P) Ltd, Bombay
Moenssens: Finger Prints Techniques, Chitton Book Co. Philadelphia, New York.
Chatterjee S.K., Speculation in Finger print identification, Jantralekha, Printing Works, Kolkata.
Cowger, James F: Friction ridge skin: Comparison and Identification of Fingerprints; CRC Press, Boca Raton, New York.
Cook Nancy: Classifying finger prints -Innovative learning publication Mento Park
Cossidy, M. J. Footwear Identification, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Ontario, Canada.
J A Seigel, P.J Saukoo and G C Knupfer; Encyclopedia of Forensic Sciencess Vol. I, II and III, Acad. Press
Smith, B.C, Holland MM, Sweel, DL & Dizinno. A; DNA & Forensic Odontology -Manual of Forensic Odontology, Colorado Springs, USA
Hillison, S; Dental Anthropology, Cambridge Univ. Press, UK.
Kasprzak, J; Possibilities of Cheiloscopy in Forensic Sciences.
Medlin H 0: Ear print Identification, Solve Crime Military Police Journal.
lannarelli A V. Ear Identification, Forensic .Identification series, Paramount.
Henry C. Lee & R. E. Ganesslen, Advances in Finger Print Technology, CRC Press, Boca Raton, London.
Rev. ED.; Ordway Hilton; Scientific Examination. I of Questioned Documents, Elsevier, New York;
Albert S. Osborn; Questioned Documents, Second Ed.; Universal Law Publishing, Delhi;
Albert S. Osborn; The Problem of Proof~ Second Ed.; Universal Law Publishing, Delhi;
Charles C. Thomas, Typewriting Identification I.S.Q.D.; Billy Prior Bates; Springfield, Illinois, USA
Charles C. Thomas, I.S.Q.D. Identification System for Questioned Documents; Billy Prior Bates Springfield, Illinois, USA
Wilson R. Harrison; Suspect Documents -Their Scientific Examination; Universal
Hard less, H.R: Disputed Documents, handwriting and thumbs -print identification: profusely illustrated, Low Book Co., Allahabad
Morris, Ron, N: Forensic handwriting identification, Acad Press, London
Kurtz Sheila: Graphotypes a new plant on handwriting, analysis, Crown Publishers Inc., USA
Lerinson Jay; Questioned Documents, Acad Press,