Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison [Spiral-bound]

Gary W. Jones (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From the Author

The comparison of fingerprints, especially latent fingerprints (palm prints, footprints), can be the single most difficult task in all the fingerprint science. No matter how skillful an individual may be in all the related areas, it is the additional ability to accurately compare latent prints against known prints that allows the examiner to be called a fingerprint expert. This ability is gained through training, knowledge, experience and work under the guidance of a qualified fingerprint expert(s).

Fingerprint comparison is a skill that can be acquired by almost anyone who expends the required effort, which can be very demanding. It is difficult, but it's not rocket science. If you are just beginning, don't get discouraged you can do it!

Speed and accuracy of comparisons are the natural results of being aware of fundamental techniques. q

This book is not a comprehensive examination of the entire spectrum of fingerprint comparison. The information contained in this book is designed for the novice; the individual who has never compared fingerprints, but wants a foundation on which to build comparison skills. Many advanced techniques for comparing fingerprints are not addressed in this book.

After mastering the basic principles of fingerprint comparison, the only way to learn how to fully compare prints is to continue comparing while receiving additional instruction in the more advanced techniques. The person entering this field must continually seek out every opportunity to observe, compare and study fingerprints. This is also true of the most experienced expert.

The work of the fingerprint expert is serious business. It is a tremendous responsibility and a privilege to be validated in a court of law as an expert and allowed to give an opinion as to the identity of a fingerprint. This privilege and responsibility is never to be taken lightly. In an effort to make some highly technical material a little easier to understand, I have written this book in a somewhat lighthearted vein. This is not meant to indicate that I believe the comparison of fingerprints, or any other aspect of the fingerprint science, is to be approached in anything less than a solemn, serious manner.

This book is also a "no-frills" presentation on the subject of latent fingerprint comparison. Common language will be used. That is not meant to suggest that the knowledge of the proper scientific terms and descriptions common to the fingerprint science is not important. It is important, which is why a glossary of these terms is included in the back of this book.

About the Author

Gary Jones has been actively engaged in fingerprint work since entering on duty with the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1964. At the time of his retirement in 1997 he was a Supervisory Fingerprint Specialist in the Latent Fingerprint Section. Currently he operates a private fingerprint consulting business, "Gary W. Jones Fingerprint Services," in Summerfield, Florida.

On numerous occasions Mr. Jones has presented fingerprint testimony in federal, state and local courts throughout the United States and has been accepted as an expert in each instance. He has instructed federal, state and local law enforcement personnel throughout the United States in all aspects of the fingerprint science, including the presentation of expert courtroom testimony.

Gary Jones has written articles relating to the fingerprint science and has been published in the International Association for Identification's (IAI) publication "The Journal of Forensic Identification." He is also the co-author of the FBI's Latent Fingerprint Training Manual and the author of Courtroom Testimony for the Fingerprint Expert. Mr. Jones is a member of the IAI, the Florida Division of the IAI, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Division of the IAI.

Product Details

• Spiral-bound: 87 pages
• Publisher: Staggs Pub (October 16, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0966197038
• ISBN-13: 978-0966197037
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,032,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Introduction to Fingerprint Examination under the microscope, April 10, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison (Spiral-bound)

As someone wanting to get into Crime Scene Investigation, I found this book extremely helpful in establishing a solid base to learn from about a very important field: fingerprints. Anyone going into a career like this should definately read this book. Though some of the principles where confusing, and required a couple readovers, I quickly came to understand what was important when dealing with fingerprints.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Introduction..., February 7, 2003

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison (Spiral-bound)

This is a very good introduction to fingerprint classification for beginners. It does not cover IAFIS/AFIS, but it is good as a basic fingerprint primer none the less.

If you are just researching fingerprints, this is a very good primer to get you started.

The book does not pretend to say that you will learn everything about prints, but rather that you will understand the basics of what everything is about.

Another reason that if your prints are onfile and you are bad, you likely get busted sooner or later....:)

5.0 out of 5 stars perfect for the beginner, December 11, 2010

By 

Jennifer Juniper "j.j." (canada) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Introduction to Fingerprint Comparison (Spiral-bound)

excellent book! Great for studying if you're taking any sort of test involving fingerprint comparison. Easy and simple to read.