Part 15 (2/2)
[Ill.u.s.tration: 358]
In figure 357, the ridge count cannot be determined accurately but it would be cla.s.sified as a loop, no matter what the opposite finger might be. If the opposite finger were a loop with a count of from 6 to 17, this impression would be given that count. If the count of the opposite loop were less or more than 6 to 17, the count for this finger would be given I or O in the subsecondary cla.s.sification depending upon whether the opposite finger was I or O, but would not be given less than 6 nor more than 17 counts as its possibility is limited to those counts.
A pattern with a scar similar to either scar in figures 358 and 359 would always be given a loop as it could be seen readily that there was no possibility of its having been any other type of pattern.
[Ill.u.s.tration: 359]
_Cla.s.sification of amputations and fingers missing at birth_
When one or more amputations appear upon a fingerprint card, it may be filed separately from those having no amputations in order to facilitate searching. It is to be noted that before it may be filed in the amputation group, the card must contain a definite and unequivocal statement or marking by the contributor to the effect that a certain finger or fingers have been amputated or were missing at birth. This prevents the appearance on later cards of impressions of fingers thought to have been amputated but which in reality were merely injured and bandaged when previous prints were submitted.
If one finger is amputated, it is given a cla.s.sification identical with that of the opposite finger, including pattern and ridge count, or tracing, and referenced to every other possible cla.s.sification.
If two or more fingers are amputated, they are given cla.s.sifications identical with the fingers opposite, with no additional references.
If two amputated fingers are opposite each other, both are given the cla.s.sification of whorls with meeting tracings.
When a fingerprint card bearing a notation of fingers missing at birth is cla.s.sified, the missing fingers should be treated as amputations in that they are given the identical cla.s.sifications of the opposite fingers and are filed in the amputation group. As these fingers are missing from a prenatal cause, they would have always received the identical cla.s.sification of the opposite finger on any previous occasion.
If all 10 fingers are amputated or missing at birth, the cla.s.sification will be
M 32 W MMM.
----------- M 32 W MMM
If both hands are amputated or missing at birth, the footprints should be taken as they, too, bear friction ridges with definite patterns. A footprint file is maintained by the FBI for identification purposes in instances where the subject has all fingers amputated or missing at birth.
Partially amputated fingers often present very complex problems and careful consideration should be given to them. The question often arises as to the appropriate groups in which they should be filed, i.e., amputations or nonamputations. As no definite rule may be applied, it is a matter of experience and judgment as to their preferred cla.s.sification.
In those instances in which a partially amputated finger has half or more than half of the pattern area missing, it is given the cla.s.sification of the opposite finger. It will be filed in the amputation group under the cla.s.sification of the opposite finger and reference searches should be conducted in all possible cla.s.sifications in the nonamputation groups. If two or more of the fingers are amputated in this manner, they are given the cla.s.sification of the opposite fingers only and are governed by the rules concerning amputations.
Generally, a ”tip amputation,” or one which has less than half of the first joint amputated, will always be printed in the future.
Therefore, a partially amputated finger with less than half of the pattern area missing is cla.s.sified as it appears and is referenced to the opposite finger. It will be filed in the nonamputation group and reference searches should be conducted under the cla.s.sification of the opposite finger, and in the amputation group. It must be referenced this way even though it never could have originally had the cla.s.sification of the opposite finger.
_Cla.s.sification of bandaged or imprinted fingers_
As noted in the chapter pertaining to ”Problems in the Taking of Inked Fingerprints,” an indication to the effect ”recently injured, bandaged” is not sufficient to file a fingerprint card. It is obvious that a fingerprint card bearing these notations cannot be properly cla.s.sified or filed. If the injury is temporary, and if possible, these prints should not be taken until after healing.
If fingers are injured to the extent that it is impossible to secure inked impressions by special inking devices, the unprinted fingers are given cla.s.sifications identical with the cla.s.sifications of the fingers opposite. If only one finger is lacking, reference searches should be conducted in every possible cla.s.sification. If more than one finger is lacking, they should be given the cla.s.sifications of the opposite fingers, but no reference searches should be conducted. If there are two lacking, opposite each other, they should be cla.s.sified as whorls with meeting tracings.
If, however, in the case of an injured finger, observation is made of the ridges of the finger itself and indicated on the print, this cla.s.sification should be, insofar as it is possible, utilized. For example, a missing impression labeled ”ulnar loop of about 8 counts”
by the individual taking the prints, should be searched in the subsecondary as both I and O but should not be referenced as a pattern other than a loop. If the finger is used as the final, or key, it should be searched enough counts on each side of 8 to allow for possible error in the counting by the contributor using his naked eye.
CHAPTER VI
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