Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Card Processing & Documentation 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: When documenting a subject with an amputated right index finger, which notation should appear in the corresponding fingerprint block?
- Leave the block empty
- Write 'MISSING' or 'AMP' inside the block (Correct answer)
- Place a full impression from the left index finger
- Mark 'XX' and initial it
Correct answer: Write 'MISSING' or 'AMP' inside the block
The notation 'AMP' (amputated) or 'MISSING' in the block informs the examiner why no impression is present.
Question 2: Which finger is printed in the upper-left block of a standard tenprint card?
- Left thumb
- Right thumb
- Right index finger (Correct answer)
- Left index finger
Correct answer: Right index finger
The upper-left block is reserved for the right index finger, following the FBI's standard left-to-right sequence for the right hand.
Question 3: For the 'plain' (simultaneous) impressions section at the bottom of a tenprint card, fingers are grouped how?
- All ten fingers simultaneously
- Four fingers of each hand simultaneously, plus both thumbs separately (Correct answer)
- Each finger individually without rolling
- Three fingers per block in numerical order
Correct answer: Four fingers of each hand simultaneously, plus both thumbs separately
The plain impression section captures four fingers of each hand simultaneously, with thumbs pressed together in a separate block for verification.
Question 4: What is the primary purpose of capturing plain (flat) impressions in addition to rolled impressions on a tenprint card?
- To provide a backup if rolled impressions are rejected
- To verify the sequence and correct placement of rolled impressions (Correct answer)
- To record the fingernail condition
- To comply with state-specific ink requirements
Correct answer: To verify the sequence and correct placement of rolled impressions
Plain impressions allow examiners to confirm that each rolled impression is in the correct numbered block.
Question 5: A tenprint card is submitted with the subject's date of birth listed as '00/00/0000'. This entry indicates:
- The subject is a juvenile whose DOB is sealed
- The DOB is unknown and should be updated when information becomes available (Correct answer)
- An error that requires immediate rejection of the card
- The subject declined to provide the information
Correct answer: The DOB is unknown and should be updated when information becomes available
Zeros indicate unknown DOB; the card can still be processed but the record should be updated when the information is obtained.
Question 6: Which physical characteristic on the fingerprint card should be recorded in metric units per FBI standards?
- Weight only
- Height only
- Both height and weight in metric units
- Neither; standard U.S. units are required (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Neither; standard U.S. units are required
The FBI's FD-258 uses U.S. customary units: height in feet/inches and weight in pounds.
Question 7: When a subject has scarring on a fingertip that obscures most of the ridge detail, the recorder should:
- Skip that finger and move to the next
- Annotate 'SCAR' or 'SC' in the block and roll the best available impression (Correct answer)
- Replace the scarred finger impression with the corresponding opposite-hand finger
- Submit the card without that impression and attach a physician's note
Correct answer: Annotate 'SCAR' or 'SC' in the block and roll the best available impression
Annotating the scar and capturing whatever impression is possible documents the condition and maximizes available ridge detail.
Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Card Processing & Documentation 3
When documenting a subject with an amputated right index finger, which notation should appear in the corresponding fingerprint block?