Digital grid method for fingerprint identification and objective report writing

Abstract Fingerprints are considered to be one of the most important parameter for human identification. The analysis of fingerprints for comparing/matching purpose requires 12–14 ridge characteristics or minutiae points to prove similarity or dissimilarity in the court of law. These unique features found within the patterns make us capable of giving opinion. But various studies have shown that even the trained and experienced experts commits various types the fingerprint, these may be because of the use of arbitrary/non standard terminology like clockwise/anticlockwise or directions etc. in writing a report. The classical method of fingerprint comparison with lens to locate minutiae in directions, which is a time consuming procedures needs to be revised. In the present study an attempt has been made to develop a modified grid method for comparison of finger print. The step by step procedure to use this grid for comparison of inked fingerprints present on questioned or standard documents like property wills affidavits, bank documents and passports etc along with the Adobe Photoshop CS5 has been discussed in detail. The modified grid enables the expert not only to perform a box by box comparison of the fingerprints but also a new way of write a report, which can be demonstrated well to the judiciary in the court room trials.