Practice Exam: Criminalistics - Personal Identification & Dactyloscopy (Set 21)
A 30-question practice exam covering fingerprint science, classification systems, and personal identification methods.
1. Which part of the friction skin is responsible for forming the unique ridge patterns used in fingerprint identification?
A.Epidermis
B.Dermal papillae
C.Hypodermis
D.Stratum corneum
2. In the Henry Classification System, what is the primary classification of a person with whorls on all ten fingers?
A.1/1
B.16/16
C.32/32
D.1/32
3. A fingerprint pattern that has two deltas and at least one ridge that makes a complete circuit is a:
A.Loop
B.Whorl
C.Arch
D.Tented Arch
4. What is the term for the study of fingerprint identification?
A.Dactylography
B.Dactyloscopy
C.Podoscopy
D.Poroscopy
5. What type of fingerprint pattern is characterized by ridges that enter on one side of the impression and flow or tend to flow out the other with a rise or wave in the center?
A.Loop
B.Whorl
C.Plain Arch
D.Tented Arch
6. Which of the following is NOT a type of whorl pattern?
A.Plain Whorl
B.Central Pocket Loop Whorl
C.Double Loop Whorl
D.Tented Arch Whorl
7. What is the minimum number of matching ridge characteristics required to establish a positive fingerprint identification in the Philippines?
A.8
B.10-12
C.15
D.There is no fixed minimum number.
8. Which of the following is a type of minutiae (ridge characteristic)?
A.Delta
B.Core
C.Bifurcation
D.Island
9. What does AFIS stand for?
A.Automated Fingerprint Identification Standard
B.Automated Fingerprint Identification System
C.Advanced Fingerprint Information System
D.Automated Forensic Identification System
10. Which chemical is commonly used to develop latent fingerprints on porous surfaces like paper?
A.Cyanoacrylate
B.Ninhydrin
C.Iodine fuming
D.Amido black
11. What is the Bertillon System of identification?
A.A system of fingerprint classification.
B.An early system of criminal identification based on body measurements.
C.A method for analyzing DNA.
D.A technique for developing latent prints.
12. What is the principle that states that a fingerprint remains unchanged during an individual's lifetime?
A.Principle of Individuality
B.Principle of Permanency
C.Principle of Infallibility
D.Principle of Uniqueness
13. Which of the following is considered the most reliable method of personal identification?
A.Anthropometry
B.Odontology
C.DNA Profiling
D.Fingerprinting
14. What is the role of a forensic odontologist?
A.To analyze skeletal remains.
B.To identify individuals through their dental records.
C.To examine footprints at a crime scene.
D.To analyze blood spatter patterns.
15. In dactyloscopy, what is an "accidental whorl"?
A.A fingerprint pattern with three deltas.
B.A combination of two or more different pattern types, excluding the plain arch.
C.A whorl pattern that is scarred or mutilated.
D.A loop with a whorl inside of it.
16. The Vucetich system of fingerprint classification is primarily used in:
A.The United States and the United Kingdom
B.Spanish-speaking countries and South America
C.China and Japan
D.Most of Europe
17. A latent fingerprint is a print that is:
A.Visible to the naked eye.
B.Invisible or hidden.
C.Made in a soft material like wax or soap.
D.A bloody fingerprint.
18. What is the process of using superglue fumes to develop latent fingerprints called?
A.Cyanoacrylate fuming
B.Iodine fuming
C.Ninhydrin processing
D.Silver nitrate method
19. What part of a tooth is most resistant to decomposition and is therefore most useful in post-mortem identification?
A.Dentin
B.Pulp
C.Enamel
D.Cementum
20. In a mass disaster scenario, which of the following is a primary identifier for victim identification according to DVI (Disaster Victim Identification) protocols?
A.Fingerprints, Dental Records, DNA
B.Personal effects, clothing, tattoos
C.Driver's license, ID cards
D.Eyewitness accounts
21. What is a "ridge ending"?
A.A ridge that splits into two ridges.
B.A single friction ridge that terminates within the friction ridge structure.
C.A single friction ridge that bifurcates and rejoins.
D.Two ridges that run side-by-side and then separate.
22. The core of a fingerprint pattern is the:
A.Outermost ridge of the pattern.
B.Approximate center of the pattern.
C.Point where the ridges diverge.
D.The delta.
23. The number of ridges intervening between the delta and the core is known as:
A.The core count
B.The delta count
C.The ridge count
D.The pattern count
24. A "tented arch" is distinguished from a "plain arch" by:
A.The presence of a delta.
B.The ridges in the center forming a more definite, sharp angle.
C.The ridges flowing in a circular pattern.
D.The absence of a core.
25. Which of the following is NOT a fundamental layer of the skin?
A.Epidermis
B.Dermis
C.Subcutaneous
D.Hypodermis
26. In the Philippines, what is the primary government agency that manages the national fingerprint database?
A.Philippine National Police (PNP)
B.National Bureau of Investigation (NBI)
C.Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)
D.Department of Justice (DOJ)
27. What is cheiloscopy?
A.The study of ear prints for identification.
B.The study of skeletal remains.
C.The study of lip prints for identification.
D.The study of handwriting.
28. What is the primary reason fingerprint identification replaced the Bertillon system?
A.Fingerprints are unique and do not change, while body measurements can change over time.
B.The Bertillon system was too slow.
C.Fingerprinting is less invasive.
D.The equipment for anthropometry was too expensive.
29. A double loop whorl is composed of:
A.Two deltas and one core.
B.Two separate and distinct loop formations with two separate and distinct shoulders for each core, and two deltas.
C.A loop and a plain whorl.
D.A pattern with a spiral core.
30. Which of the following chemical methods for developing latent prints should be used first, as it is non-destructive?
A.Iodine fuming
B.Ninhydrin
C.Silver Nitrate
D.Cyanoacrylate fuming