title: Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison
author:  Gary W. Jones 
description: The comparison of fingerprints, especially latent fingerprints (palm prints, footprints), can be the single most difficult task in all the fingerprint science. No matter how skillful an individual may be in all the related areas, it is the additional ability to accurately compare latent prints against known prints that allows the examiner to be called a fingerprint expert. This ability is gained through training, knowledge, experience and work under the guidance of a qualified fingerprint expert(s). <P>Fingerprint comparison is a skill that can be acquired by almost anyone who expends the required effort, which can be very demanding. It is difficult, but it's not rocket science. If you are just beginning, don't get discouraged you can do it! <P>Speed and accuracy of comparisons are the natural results of being aware of fundamental techniques. q<P>This book is not a comprehensive examination of the entire spectrum of fingerprint comparison. The information contained in this book is designed for the novice; the individual who has never compared fingerprints, but wants a foundation on which to build comparison skills. Many advanced techniques for comparing fingerprints are not addressed in this book. <P>After mastering the basic principles of fingerprint comparison, the only way to learn how to fully compare prints is to continue comparing while receiving additional instruction in the more advanced techniques. The person entering this field must continually seek out every opportunity to observe, compare and study fingerprints. This is also true of the most experienced expert. <P>The work of the fingerprint expert is serious business. It is a tremendous responsibility and a privilege to be validated in a court of law as an expert and allowed to give an opinion as to the identity of a fingerprint. This privilege and responsibility is never to be taken lightly. In an effort to make some highly technical material a little easier to understand, I have written this book in a somewhat lighthearted vein. This is not meant to indicate that I believe the comparison of fingerprints, or any other aspect of the fingerprint science, is to be approached in anything less than a solemn, serious manner. <P>This book is also a "no-frills" presentation on the subject of latent fingerprint comparison. Common language will be used. That is not meant to suggest that the knowledge of the proper scientific terms and descriptions common to the fingerprint science is not important. It is important, which is why a glossary of these terms is included in the back of this book.
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  ![cover](resources/_cover_.jpg)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
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  # The Science of Fingerprints
  
  
  
  
  
  <!--—————————VALUES SAME AS ABOVE—————————->
  
  
  17 AND OVER = L| | | |
  
  
  * * *
  
  —-
  
  
    
  Table for major divisions of loops:
  
  
    
  _Left thumb denominator_ _Right thumb numerator_
  
  
    
  { 1 to 11, inclusive, S (small). 1 to 11,
  
  
  inclusive, S (small) { 12 to 16, inclusive, M (medium).
  
  
    
  { 17 or more ridges, L (large).
  
  
    
  
  
    
  { 1 to 11, inclusive, S (small). 12 to 16,
  
  
  inclusive, M (medium) { 12 to 16, inclusive, M (medium).
  
  
    
  { 17 or more ridges, L (large).
  
  
    
  { 1 to 17, inclusive, S (small). 17 or more
  
  
  ridges, L (large) { 18 to 22, inclusive, M (medium).
  
  
    
  { 23 or more ridges, L (large).
  
  
    
  The fingerprint card appearing in figure 352 shows a major division
  
  
  of L over L, which is obtained by counting the ridges (24 in the right
  
  
  thumb and 18 in the left thumb) which, according to the table, is
  
  
  translated into L in both thumbs.
  
  
    
  THE FINAL: It is, of course, desirable to have a