Part 18 (2/2)

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primary.

All ridge counts that are ”line counts,” i.e., when one more or one less count would change the designation of the loop from I to O or from S to M, etc., must be searched in both groups. For example, in a print cla.s.sified

16 M 1 U III 10, --------------- M 1 U III

if the ridge count of the right middle finger is 10 and the count in the right thumb is 16 (as indicated by the key), the print would be searched first as cla.s.sified, then reference searches would be conducted in the following groups:

M 1 U IOI, L 1 U III, L 1 U IOI --------- --------- and --------- M 1 U III M 1 U III M 1 U III

When there is doubt concerning the tracing of a whorl, it should be treated in the same fas.h.i.+on. For example, if in the cla.s.sification

O 5 U ------ I 17 U

doubt existed as to whether the tracing of the right thumb might not be a meeting tracing, the print would be searched as cla.s.sified, and a reference search would be conducted in

M 5 U.

------ I 17 U

If there is no doubt concerning the ridge count used for the final, it is enough to search out of the group only those prints containing a final within 2 ridge counts on each side of the final on the print being searched. When, however, there is doubt concerning the ridge count of the final, the print should be searched 2 ridge counts on each side of the two extremes of possibility. For example, if it were possible for a final to be 6, 7, 8, or 9 ridge counts, the print should be searched through that part of the group bearing finals of from 4 through 11.

The above explanation pertaining to the final also applies to the key.

All prints bearing amputations should be referenced to the necessary files containing prints other than amputations for reference searches.

In instances where only one finger is amputated, reference searches are conducted in all possible cla.s.sifications, including all possible ridge counts or tracings. For example, a print containing the cla.s.sification:

AMP

4 S 1 U III 6 ------------- S 1 U III

with the right index finger amputated, the left index finger being an ulnar loop, would be searched first in the amputation group for the cla.s.sification, then reference searches would be conducted in the following groups in the nonamputation files:

S 1 U III S 1 T II S 17 W III --------- --------- ---------- S 1 U III S 1 U III S 1 U III

S 1 U OII S 1 R III S 17 W MII --------- --------- ---------- S 1 U III S 1 U III S 1 U III

S 1 A II S 1 R OII S 17 W OII --------- --------- ---------- S 1 U III S 1 U III S 1 U III

All prints bearing unprinted or badly crippled fingers are filed in the nonamputation files, and reference searches are conducted in the amputation group.

For the purpose of determining if it is feasible to conduct reference searches in all possible cla.s.sifications, the method of referencing amputations is applied to completely scarred patterns (Chapter t.i.tled ”Scarred Patterns--Amputations--Missing at Birth”). For example, a print bearing the preferred cla.s.sification:

13 O 17 W OOO 14 ---------------- L 17 U OOI

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