NCJ Number
139587
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 42 Issue: 6 Dated: (November-December 1992) Pages: 503-512
Date Published
1992
Length
10 pages
Annotation
The use of the word "pattern" in journal articles focusing on friction ridge identification in fingerprints is analyzed and found to be inconsistent and confusing.
Abstract
Many authors do not differentiate between the word "pattern" as used in classification and "pattern" as used in identification. The placement of the word in the sentence, chapter, or text is often the only way a reader can be sure of the inference intended by the reader. The word has three different connotations in identification literature: (1) the defined pattern, (2) an overall pattern or ridge configuration, and (3) the unique pattern. Therefore, the word "pattern" should be qualified with descriptive words to ensure that the correct connotation is received. Defined pattern describes a classification pattern, overall pattern describes the undefined ridge configuration used in the identification process, and unique pattern describes the specific aspects of ridge units used during the individualization process. Understanding the meaning of these three connotations is important to proficiency in explaining the evaluative identification process. Figures and 6 references