Quantative Evaluations

Quantitative Evaluations

A quality number from one through ten was assigned to each fingerprint lift in order to compare the lifts quantitatively. This number was assigned based on the clarity of the ridges, the smoothness and quality of the print and the possibility for a positive identification from the print.

Identifiable

10 – Ridges clear, no marks or bumps in lift. Ideal quality and clarity for identification.

9 – Ridges clear, print perfect except for bubbles or crease in the lift caused by lifting.

8 – Ridges clear except for several marks, bumps, bubbles or creases.

7 – Ridges clear but smudges interfere with print.

6 – Only partial prints, or prints with smudges, many marks, bubbles or creases.

Possibly Identifiable

5 – Small ridge characteristics visible, only partial prints or prints with much interference.

Not Identifiable

4 – Only some ridges visible but not enough points available for identification.

3 – A few ridges and points visible.

2 – Bad print because of surface that interferes with ridges or doesn’t show prints.

1 – Almost entire print smudged, not able to make any comparison points.

0 – No print can be developed or lifted.

Lift #	Explanation	Quality
1	Clear ridges but marks because of shape of glass.	8.5
2	Can't make most of the print out, only a few visible ridges.	4
3	Ridges very clear even to the naked eye, one crease in lift.	9
4	Clear ridges but a few blurs and creases.	8.5
5	Can see some ridges but smudged a bit and newspaper print interferes.	5
6	Can't distinguish ridges very well, partial print.	6
7	Very clear, very easy to identify.	10
8	Blurred a bit, ridges run together a bit.	7.5
9	Grain of wood interferes, can't see print at all.	2
10	Great for close-up view, very clear.	10
11	Can make out ridges, but a bit smudged.	9
12	Smudged slightly but still visible.	8.5
13	All smudged hardly any points of comparison visible.	4
14	Ridges run together a bit, but mostly clear.	9
15	Grain of wood interferes a bit	5
16	Smudged slightly, good for identification.	9
17	Small surface, hard to see enough for identification.	6
18	Ridges clear, good whole print.	9
19	Can't see ridge characteristics at all.	1
20	Can see a few characteristics but not enough for comparison.	1.5
21	Some prints can be seen enough, surface interferes with rest.	6
22	Partial print can only see some ridges.	6
23	Smudged a bit, line through print but still visible.	8.5
24	Surface of item interferes with print, but ridges still available.	6.5
25	Can't see any ridges or a print at all.	1
26	A bit blurry and bumpy because of the surface, but ridges are visible.	7
27	Prints clear even to the naked eye.	10
28	Prints and ridges clear but a bit of Ninhydrin build-up on prints.	9.5
29	Ridges visible, item material interferes with ridges a bit.	8
30	No prints able to be lifted.	0
31	No prints able to be lifted.	0
32	No prints able to be lifted.	0
33	No prints able to be lifted.	0
34	No prints able to be lifted.	0
35	No prints able to be lifted.	0