28 Sep Match the illustration of the ?ngerprint minutiae with the correct term.

Test Your Knowledge

 1.           Match the illustration of the ?ngerprint minutiae with the correct term.

1Bridge

2Delta

3Trifurcation

4Dot

 

5Ridge Ending

 

6Bifurcation

 

7Spur

 

8Eye

 

9Double Bifurcation

 

10Island

 

2.            Order the layers of the epidermis with the outermost layer on the top and the innermost layer on the bottom.

 

Stratum Corneum

 

Stratum Lucidum

 

Stratum Granulosum

 

Stratum Spinosum

 

Stratum Basale

 

3.            Classify each statement as describing the epidermis or dermis.

 

 

 

Epidermis            Dermis

 

1              Outermost layer of the skin        2              Inner layer of the skin

 

Composed of ?ve layers               Contains the papillae

 

Contains sudoriferous gland ducts           Contains the sudoriferous glands, sebaceous glands, and hair follicles

 

Exploration

 

1.            Which layer of the epidermis is not always present?

 

Stratum Corneum

 

Stratum Lucidum

 

Stratum Granulosum

 

Stratum Spinosum

 

Stratum Basale

 

2.            The dermal papillae form ridges on the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.

 

True

 

False

 

3.            Which ridge pattern is characterized by concentric circles or spirals in the center?

 

Arch

 

Spiral

 

Whorl

 

Loop

 

4.            Every individual has a unique set of ?ngerprints.

 

True

 

False

 

Exercise 1

 

1.            Describe the ?ve layers of the epidermis and each of their functions.

 

2.            What are some of the features of the dermal papillae that you observed on this slide, and how do those features affect the surface of the skin?

 

 3.           Describe some of the structures you would expect to be present in the skin that were not visible on the prepared slide and explain why they may not have been visible on your prepared specimen.

 

Photo 1: Skin Layers

 

Photo 2: Epidermis Layers

 

 Exercise 2

 

1.            Were the ?ngerprints for each ?nger different or the same?

 

2.            What is the difference between the individual ?ngerprints and when all four ?ngerprints were taken at the same time?

 

Photo 3: Completed Fingerprint Card

 

 Data Table 1: Fingerprint Observations

 

 Finger  Observations

 

Right Thumb      Whorls, DOT, Ridge Ending, Bifurcation

 

Right Fore?nger               Whorls

 

Right Middle Finger         loop

 

Right Ring Finger              Whorls

 

Right Little Finger             arch

 

Left Thumb         Whorls

 

Left Fore?nger  Whorls

 

Left Middle Finger           Arch

 

Left Ring Finger Whorls

 

Left Little Finger               Whorls

 

Competency Review

 

1.            Dermal papillae form ?ngerprints and aid in gripping.

 

True

 

False

 

2.            What is the thickest layer of the epidermis?

 

Stratum corneum

 

3.            The epidermis is a simple epithelium.

 

True

 

False

 

4.            When collecting a ?ngerprint, the ?nger should be pressed as hard to the paper as possible in order to produce a clean print.

 

True

 

False

 

5.            The minutiae are studied to determine the identifying characteristics of a ?ngerprint.

 

True

 

False

 

6.            The keratinocytes are located in the       .

 

7.            When rolling a ?ngerprint, the ?nger must be rolled from one edge of the ?ngernail to the other edge of the ?ngernail.

 

True

 

False

 

8.            The sweat glands are also referred to as               .

 

sebaceous glands

 

follicles

 

sudoriferous glands

 

none of the above

 

Extension Questions

 

1. Ever since the early 1900s, when ?ngerprints were ?rst used to identify and convict defendants, some criminals have attempted to remove or alter their ?ngerprints to avoid detection with very little success. Apply what you know about the formation of ?ngerprints in the skin to explain why ?ngerprint mutilation does not typically render very good results.