Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Collection & Analysis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which finger is designated as Finger #1 in the standard tenprint sequence?
- Right thumb (Correct answer)
- Left thumb
- Right index finger
- Left index finger
Correct answer: Right thumb
The standard tenprint sequence begins with the right thumb as Finger #1 and proceeds across the right hand, then the left hand.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of using a roller when inking fingers for tenprint cards?
- To spread ink evenly across the fingertip surface (Correct answer)
- To remove excess moisture from the finger
- To harden the ridge skin before printing
- To sanitize the finger before contact
Correct answer: To spread ink evenly across the fingertip surface
The roller ensures a thin, even coat of ink is distributed across the full ridge surface of the fingertip for optimal impression quality.
Question 3: A 'bulge' in a rolled impression refers to which condition?
- Excess ink causing smearing on one side of the impression
- Uneven pressure producing a wider area mid-roll (Correct answer)
- Insufficient contact at the edges of the impression
- A natural ridge anomaly causing a raised area
Correct answer: Uneven pressure producing a wider area mid-roll
A bulge occurs when uneven downward pressure during the rolling motion causes the center of the impression to appear wider or more compressed than the edges.
Question 4: For a subject with heavily calloused fingers, which adjustment is most appropriate when collecting tenprints?
- Apply heavier ink and increased pressure to capture ridges
- Soak the fingers in warm water briefly to soften the skin (Correct answer)
- Skip the calloused fingers and note them as uncollectable
- Use a fine-bristle brush to texture the surface before inking
Correct answer: Soak the fingers in warm water briefly to soften the skin
Briefly soaking calloused fingers in warm water softens the skin and allows ridge detail to become more prominent and printable.
Question 5: In AFIS terminology, what does a 'candidate list' represent?
- A list of fingerprint examiners certified to verify a match
- A ranked list of potential matches returned by the automated search (Correct answer)
- The collection of all tenprint cards submitted for a case
- A database of eliminated suspects in a criminal investigation
Correct answer: A ranked list of potential matches returned by the automated search
After an AFIS search, the system returns a candidate list—a ranked set of potential matching records for an examiner to evaluate.
Question 6: What does the term 'bifurcation' describe in fingerprint ridge analysis?
- A ridge that ends abruptly
- A single ridge splitting into two ridges (Correct answer)
- Two parallel ridges merging into one
- A short ridge segment between two longer ridges
Correct answer: A single ridge splitting into two ridges
A bifurcation is a minutiae point where one friction ridge divides into two diverging ridges.
Question 7: Which condition most commonly causes a 'double-rolled' appearance on a tenprint card?
- Excessive ink applied to the finger
- The finger being rolled back and forth more than once (Correct answer)
- A worn or damaged inking slab
- Insufficient pressure during the plain impression
Correct answer: The finger being rolled back and forth more than once
A double-rolled impression results when the finger is inadvertently rolled in both directions, creating overlapping ridge lines that obscure pattern detail.
Tenprint Fingerprint Certification Tenprint Fingerprint Collection & Analysis 2
Which finger is designated as Finger #1 in the standard tenprint sequence?