TEC
Thenoyl Europium Chelate. Treatment having fluorescent properties
used with selected wavelengths of light to enhance cyanoacrylate
fumed friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
TMB
Tetramethylbenzidene. Reagent used to detect / enhance bloody
friction ridge detail.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
TMB is a suspected carcinogen and has a very short shelf life (one day).
TWGFAST
Technical Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology.
Established by the FBI in 1995. In 1999, the name was changed to better
reflect the goals of this group. This organization develops standards and
guidelines in the area of friction skin identification.
Taber, Isaiah West (Tabor) (1830-1912)
There are many books and articles that refer to a man named Tabor
who was an eminent photographer of San Francisco who proposed
using fingerprints to register the Chinese around 1880. One article
was published by Jay Hambridge in October 1909 in Century Magazine
titled “Fingerprints: Their Use by the Police”. Hambridge states “Some
30 years ago…..” but that is the only reference to a date. Tabors
proposal wasn’t accepted but it seems that this may have been the
earliest trace of using fingerprints as a means of identification in the
United States.
In ‘Fingerprint Whorld’, Volume 10 number 40, 1985, G.T. Lambourne
wrote an article about Taber and included letters he received from
the Smithsonian Institute. Due to Lambourne’s research it appears
that Taber’s name had been misspelled throughout the years.
Lambourne believes this misspelling originated from Galton’s book
‘Fingerprints’ but it appears that his name was also misspelled in a
letter from the House of Representatives, U.S. dated 1888. Lambourne
also discovered the year that Taber suggested using fingerprints as
a means of identification was the year 1886 and that his initials were
I.W. Taber.
Due to the combination of reference material available the man
referred to as Tabor seems to be the well-known San Francisco
photographer Isaiah West Taber (1830-1912).
Tactile
Pertaining to the sense of touch.
Take Away Print
A 'take away' print, also referred to as a negative impression, is
created when an object is touched and instead of the friction ridges
leaving a matrix behind, the friction ridges take away a substance
that is left on the substrate. This is common when the object being
touched is covered with dust or another substance, such as blood.
Frequently 'take away' prints are tonally reversed.
Taylor, J.H. (James Herbert)
On May 1, 1910, Taylor was promoted to Chief of the Identification Section
for the U.S. Navy. He wrote a book entitled "Finger Print Evidence" and
in 1917 invented the metal identification tags for all the Navy men in WWI
that had their fingerprints etched on them. In 1926, J.H. Taylor testified
for the defense in the first known erroneous identification case, see Hall-
Mills double murder case.
Taylor, Thomas (1877)
Microscopist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, suggested that
markings of the palms, the hands and the tips of the fingers could
be used for identification in criminal cases. Although reported in
the American Journal of Microscopy and Popular Science and Scientific
American, the idea was apparently never pursued from this source.
Principle of Criminalistics: The Profession of Forensic Science, By
Keith Inman and Norah Rudin, CRC Press, 2000.
http://www.courttv.com/onair/shows/forensicfiles/timeline1.html
Technical Review
A review to verify that conclusions are supported by suitable data, proper
procedures, and appropriate documentation.
Review of notes, documents, and other data which forms the basis for a
scientific conclusion.
Ascld/Lab accreditation manual, 2005.
Technician
A person skilled in the details of a subject or task. especially a
mechanical one.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Technology
The science of the application of knowledge to practical purposes : applied science.
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=technology 10-14-2005
Tenprint
A recording of the friction ridge skin on the distal phalanges.
Tension Crease
"Usually in crisscrossing patterns or at right angles to the ridges.
These secondary creases are known as tension creases and are not normally
found on the hands at birth. "
Scott's Fingerprint Mechanics. By Robert Olsen
See Creases, Flexion Creases and White Lines.
Tetramethylbenzidene
See TMB.
Thenar Area
The large cushion of the palm located at the base of the thumb.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Thenoyl Europium Chelate (TEC)
A fluorescent dye stain used with an ultraviolet light source to
visualize cyanoacrylate ester fumed friction ridge detail.
Theory
A set of statements or principles devised to explain a group of facts or
phenomena, especially one that has been repeatedly tested or is widely
accepted and can be used to make predictions about natural phenomena
The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=theory 02-27-03
An explanation of why a natural phenomenon occurs which has been tested
and has gained general acceptance.
Explanations of observations (or of laws). The fact that we have a pretty
good understanding of how stars explode doesn't necessarily mean we could
predict the next supernova; we have a theory but not a law.
http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/oct99/940942724.Sh.r.html 02-27-03
(Authors note) This is a nonscientific definition, generally what people
think of as a theory:
An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.
The American Heritage ® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=theory 02-27-03
Theory of Differential Growth
The scientific theory that explains why fingerprints are unique. Internal and external
pressures and stresses alter the volar pad development during the fetal stage.
These pressures also effect how primary ridges grow. Since it is impossible to
duplicate these pressures, no two fingerprints will ever be the same.
Besides the Theory of Differential Growth being based on embryonic biological
formation, it is also supported by statistical probabilities (the probability of
duplication is virtually zero) and empirical data (no two formations have been
found to be the same in over 100 years).
Theory of Fingerprint Permanence (or Persistency)
The scientific theory that explains why fingerprints are permanent.
Fingerprints develop on a fetus. Once the secondary ridges start growing,
the primary ridges stop any further development and the blueprint for the
friction ridge pattern is established. This pattern is permanent with
the exception of scaring.
Thermal Paper
Thermal paper is paper that uses heat to produce its images. It has a chemical
coating on one side that darkens when exposed to heat. The coated side of thermal
paper is sensitive to the DFO and ninhydrin processes. DMAC, RTX, Hydrochloric
Acid, Indanedione (HFE-7100 formulation) and physical developer are good
alternatives to processing this kind of paper.
ThermaNin
A ninhydrin derivative, available from BVDA, used to recover latent prints on
thermal paper. This chemical recovers latent prints without turning the thermal
paper black.
Thermoplastic Powder
Toner powder used in copiers and printers.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Thick Skin
Thick skin refers to skin on the palms of the hands, fingertips or the soles
of the feet. This skin lacks follicles, sebaceous glands and arrector pili
muscles.
http://www.vcu.edu/anatomy/OB/Skin~1/tsld020.htm 08-07-2004
Thin Skin
Nonfriction ridge skin.
Thin skin is skin that covers most of the body. It contains hair follicles,
sebaceous glands and arrector pili muscles. It also has thinner epidermis
with less developed strata granulosa and lucida, and the stratum corneum may
be quite thin.
http://www.vcu.edu/anatomy/OB/Skin~1/tsld020.htm 08-07-2004
Third Level Detail (also see Level 3 Detail)
Ridge shape, relative pore location, and some accidental details.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
Thompson, Gilbert (March 21, 1839-June 9, 1909)
A railroad builder with the U.S. Geological Survey in New Mexico, who in 1882
put his own thumbprint on wage chits to safeguard himself from forgeries.
http://www.forensicdna.com/Timeline020702.pdf 03-08-2003
Thompson was the first person to use fingerprints as a means of identification
in the United States.
Tibia
A bone in the lower leg.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Tibial Area
The plantar area situated on the big toe side of the foot.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Titanium Dioxide
Titanium Dioxide is a white powder used as a coloring pigment. In 2003,
Josh Bergeron published a paper in the Journal of Forensic Identification
showing that when this powder is mixed with methanol it becomes a wonderful
processing technique to develop friction ridge detail left in blood on dark
surfaces.
Dave Wade also discovered that Titanium Dioxide can be mixed with water and
photo-flo 200 to develop friction ridge detail on other items, including
the adhesive side of tape. See WhitePrint © Titanium Dioxide.
Toeprint
Friction ridge impression left by a digit of the plantar surface.
Tolerance
Within an acceptable range.
Tonal Reversal
Tonal Reversal is when the color of the ridges is reversed from the standard of dark ridges
on a light background, also referred to as inverted ridges. Some reasons tonal reversal
may occur are
a) because of the developmental medium (such as CA’d or ardroxed latents)
b) excess moisture is present in the furrows
c) excess moisture is present on the substrate
d) pressure
e) take away prints are usually tonally reversed
Top-Down Influences
One of the two cognitive influences with respect to observational knowledge. Top-
down influences are subjective in nature, guided by prior knowledge, expectations,
or emotions.
See Bottom-Up.
Transferred Print
A transferred print is a true friction ridge impression that has been transferred
to another surface. This may happen intentionally (as with fabricated or forged
prints) or unintentionally (by the original substrate coming in contact with
another surface). If a transfer occurs unintentionally, the transferred print
will be a reversed image.
Transient Crease
Creases which are not permanent.
Transitive Property of Equality
The mathematical principle: If a = b and b = c, then a = c. This relates to friction
skin identifications in establishing that if a print (a) was identified to print (b)
and print (b) was identified to print (c) then it is known that print (a) was left by
the same person as print (c) without the need of doing an additional comparison.
Transitory Print
A latent print seen by breathing on it.
Transposing the Conditional
The statistical equivalent of the Prosecutors Fallacy. In Bayes Theorum, the
conditional probability of an event happening, given that another event has
happened is expressed as P(a/b). Transposing the conditional is when someone
misinterprets this to be the same as P(b/a), whether intentional or unintentional.
Example: While looking at the probability of someone speaking Spanish, given that
they are from Spain it may be misrepresented as the probability of someone being
from Spain, given that they speak Spanish.
Transposing the conditional can be related to fingerprints identifications in many
different ways. One example is that Examiners may be reluctant to testify to any
minimum point standard. This is often because people misinterpret the minimum number
of points you may have used to make an identification with the minimum number of
points that you would use to make an identification. Of course, this is not correct
because there are other conditions that an identification is based on.
See Prosecutors Fallacy.
Trauma
Injury or damage.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Trifurcation
The point at which one friction ridge divides into three friction ridges.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Triketohydrindine Hydrate
See Ninhydrin.
Tripartite Rule
Published in the 1910’s, by Edmund Locard, the Tripartite Rule gives 3 different
conclusions to a fingerprint identification.
1) If more than 12 Galton points exist, then the certainty of a positive identification
is beyond debate.
2) If 8-12 Galton points exist, an identification will then be dependent on other items,
such as rarity.
3) If less than 8 Galton points exist, then the print cannot provide a certain
identification.
Triradius
Area on the friction ridges where three ridge systems meet.
Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis, David R. Ashbaugh 1999 CRC Press
This term was introduced by one of the authors of the book "Personal
Identification". It suggests a 3 point star and includes both the delta
and the 3 radiating lines where ridges deviate in different directions.
Personal Identification, Wentworth and Wilder 1918 pg. 117.
Troup Committee
In 1894, Britain’s Troup Committee established adding fingerprints to Bertillon
Identification Cards. At this time, the fingerprints weren’t used for identification
purposes but their value was recognized.
See Bepler Committee.
True Skin
Another term for the dermis.
Turner, William Russell
See Russell-Turner, William.
Type 1 Error
The error in a system to overreact, a false positive result. An erroneous individualization.
Type 2 Error
The error in a system to underreact. Some view this type of error as either “false negative
results” or “inconclusive results when a definitive result could have been found”. Others
view a type 2 error only a “false negative results” stating that inconclusive results cannot
be an erroneous conclusion because inconclusive results are not conclusions, but the absence
of a conclusion.
Type Lines
The two innermost ridges associated with a delta that are parallel,
diverge, and surround or tend to surround the pattern area.
SWGFAST, Glossary - Consolidated 09-09-03 ver. 1.0
http://www.swgfast.org/Glossary_Consolidated_ver_1.pdf
Typica
A Greek word which is synonymous with characteristic.
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