Chapter 1

The Problem and Review of Related Literature

Crimes are developed in the environment where people are present (Pagnas, Dalilis, and
Curugan, 2003). Criminal acts usually evolve in the presence of criminal minds, intent,
opportunity, and tools. It may occur surreptitiously without public knowledge or overtly
unnoticed but later be detected. The detection of such criminal act is very intricate, where it
1st paragraph needs
needs a thorough investigation and mastery in examination proceddures.
improvement.

Locard (1910 ) stated in his principle that every contact leaves a trace, which means that
in every commission of crime there is an equal remaining clue or left impressions which would
lead for a concrete solution. These
called fingerprints. Fingerprints as
(2012) are impressions left on any
a patterns made by the ridges on a
being carries with him from his

Observe proper
citation. Are having
Locard and Twain
visited in different
web pages?

impressions

are

defined by Bertino
surface that consists
finger. Every human
cradle to his grave,

fixed physical marks which do not changed their characters, and by which he can always be
identified (Twain, 1894).

All objects at the scene of the crime should be considered as presumptive sources of
fingerprints which may lead to the identification of the offender. Owen (2009) stated that

fingerprints searched for at crime scenes are categorized in three: Visible, Plastic and Latent.
Latent prints are the most common type of prints found mostly at crime scene and this will be the
focus of the study. Latent prints are also the hardest to see or those that are invisible to human
eye and need to be revealed before examination. Latent prints are among the most valuable and
common type of physical evidence. Latent prints are formed when the bodys natural oils and
sweat on the skin are deposited onto another surface. Latent prints can be found on a variety of
surfaces. Generally speaking, the smoother and less porous a surface is, the greater the potential
that any latent prints present can be found and developed. An array of techniques and methods
including the use of chemicals, powders, alternate source light, and other physical means are
applied in the detection and development of latent prints. Latent prints can be made visible by
dusting with powders or making the fingerprints in some way more noticeable by using a
chemical reaction. Tape is then used to lift and preserve the fingerprint (Bertino, 2012).
Examiners analyze and compare latent prints to known prints of individuals in an effort to
make identifications or exclusions. The uniqueness, permanence, and arrangement of the friction
ridges allow examiners to positively match two prints and to determine whether two friction
ridge impressions originated from one source. During this step-by-step matching process, latent
print examiners must reach correct conclusions; they are also expected to produce records of the
examination and, in some cases, present their conclusions and the reasoning behind them
in court. Latent Print Examiner is the title most commonly used for fingerprint experts with the
training, experience and ability to examine evidence from any type of offense, come to the
correct conclusion during comparisons against inked prints and/or computer (AFIS) database
candidates and present their findings effectively in court (German, 2000). The examiners

accuracy and efficiency must be measured and must be evaluated in order to assess their skill or
competence level in latent print examination.
Scientists recognize errors that can occur in science: systematic error, random error, and
human error (Skoog et al. 1998). Latent print examinations do not employ instrumentation that
can introduce systematic or random errors; the only general type of scientific error in the latent
print discipline is human error, also commonly referred to as practitioner error. Instead of using
instrumentation, examiners conduct visual comparative examinations according to the ACE-V
methodology, which follows the scientific method (Skoog et al. 1998). Examiners must be aware
of several factors that may increase the potential for error in latent print examinations. Although
errors have occurred in latent print examinations, all of these errors have been attributed to the
improper application of the ACE-V method (i.e., human error), and no errors have been
attributed to the ACE-V method itself (DOJ 2006).
Statistics may play a more definitive role in the determination of sufficiency. Some
experts have suggested that the holistic approach, which has been criticized as relying too much
on the subjective interpretation of the examiner, would gain an additional measure of objectivity
from a calculated sufficiency based upon statistical models of individuality. Although this
proposal has merit, statistical models to date have considered only a portion of the information
available in a given friction ridge impression (generally only a subset of level-two detail) and, as
a result, are not robust enough to provide a reliable determination of sufficiency (Pankanti et al.
2002; Stoney and Thornton 1986). What is this source? It has been expected that continuing
research into statistical models and their development may provide the foundation to establish a
statistically based sufficiency standard.

Criminology Students have place in the field of Latent Print Examination to be a Latent
Print Examiner or Analyst. It is part of the graduate licensed criminologists job opportunity as
stated in the Republic Act No. 6506 for criminology profession. Like the researcher, criminology
students also wish and aimed to be appointed as latent print examiner in the PNP, NBI, FBI,
and/or any fingerprint institutions. However, only very few are given the opportunity. In fact,
criminology course can help the students become knowledgeable and professionally competent
individual in the field of personal identification.
Developing latent prints needs skills, expertise and competence in analysis, comparison,
evaluation and verification. The researchers conducted this study in order to determine as to what
level of proficiency the Criminology students have possessed that would fit them to become a
Fingerprints Examiners. Therefore, to be able to identify the level of competency of the
criminology students the researcher conducted this study with the students who undergone
Forensic Science Personal Identification subject.

Conceptual Framework
This section presents the two variables dependent and independent which consist of the
profile of the respondents as regards to their grade in Personal Identification subject and the
students level of competence in examining latent print impressions relative to Analysis,
Comparison, Evaluation and Verification (ACE-V) method, Physical and Chemical methods and
preservation of latent impressions.

The variables are anchored on the process of Forensic Science examination on latent print
impressions which would be utilize as the recorded tool to determine the competence level of the

respondents. The processes are Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation and Verification or ACE-V
method, Physical and Chemical methods, and preservation of latent impressions.

Ashbaugh (1999) adopted Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation and Verification, a scientific

method in the examination of latent print impressions. Latent print impressions are difficult to
establish. The ACE-V method is a formula used to reduce subjectivity in any scientific endeavor
(NFSTC, 2013). The Scientific Working Group of Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and
Technology (SWGFAST) further presents how each methodology is performed. Analysis
involves assessing a print to determine if it can be used for a comparison. If the print is not
suitable for comparison because of inadequate quality or quantity of features, the examination
ends and the print is reported as not suitable. If the print is suitable, the analysis indicates the
features to be used in the comparison and their tolerances. The analysis may also uncover
physical features such as recurves, deltas, creases and scars that help indicate where to begin the
comparison. Comparisons are performed by an analyst who views the known and suspect prints
side-by-side. The analyst compares minutiae characteristics and locations to determine if they
match. Evaluation is where the examiner ultimately decides if the prints are from the same
source (identification or individualization), different sources (exclusion) or is inconclusive.
Inconclusive results may be due to poor quality samples, lack of comparable areas, or
insufficient number of corresponding or dissimilar features to be certain. Verification is when
another examiner independently analyzes, compares and evaluates the prints to either support or
refute the conclusions of the original examiner. The examiner may also verify the suitability of
determinations made in the analysis phase.
Aside from having the ACE-V method as the backbone process of examining latent print
impressions, the examination also involves some other methods such as the Physical methods

which includes the use of lasers and dusting powders and Chemical methods such as Superglue
fuming and Iodine fuming as the means in developing latent print impressions. Preservation
method is also involved in the examination which includes lifting and recording or
photographing latent prints.

As shown in the schema, the two types of variables are illustrated. Specifically, the
independent variable is represented by the students grade in Personal Identification subject. On
the other hand, this also showed the adopted scientific method ACE-V method, the applied
physical and chemical methods and the methods of preserving latent print impressions.

Schema
Dependent Variable

Independent variable

Students Level of Competence in Examining

Latent Print Impressions relative to conduct:
Development of LP:

Students Grade in Personal

Identification Subject

Physical Methods
o Lasers
o Dusting Powders
Chemical Methods
o Superglue Fuming
o Iodine Fuming

Preservation of LP:

Recording and Lifting

ACE-V Methodology (Analysis, Comparison,

Evaluation and Verification)

Figure 1
Schematic Diagram of the Conceptual Framework

Review of Related Literature

This part presents a review of related literature that provides significance for this study as
regards to the examination of latent print impressions involving the scientific process such as:
Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation and Verification and other methods applied.

Foreign Literature and Studies

Local Literature and Studies

The Problem
Statement of the Problem
This study aimed to investigate the criminology students skills or competency in the
examination of latent prints. Specifically, it sought to answer the following questions:
1. What is the profile of the criminology students / respondents in terms of their grade in
Personal Identification subject?
2. What is the criminology students level of competence in preserving latent prints in terms
of:
2.1 Recording / Photograph of Latent Prints
2.2 Lifting Latent Print Impressions
3. What is the criminology students / respondents competency level in examining latent
print impressions in terms of the following techniques:
3.1 Physical Methods
3.1.1 Lasers
3.1.2 Dusting powders
3.2 Chemical Methods
3.2.1 Superglue Fuming
3.2.2 Iodine Fuming
4. What is the criminology students / respondents level of competence in latent print
examination in terms of:
4.1 Analysis
4.2 Comparison

4.3 Evaluation; and

4.4 Verification

Hypothesis
The following is tested at 0.5 level of significance:
HO1. There is no significant difference in the level of competencies in examining latent print
impressions when the respondents are grouped base on their grades in Personal Identification
subject as compared to the major processes of Forensic Science Examination on Personal
Identification namely the ACE-V Methodology and other processes involved.

Scope and Limitation

The leading or the principal concern of this study was to find out the level of
competencies among criminology students of Higher Educational Institution (HEIs) in Misamis
Occidental. The researcher did not have the standard tool to measure the competency of the
students. Thus, to determine the students competency in the examination of latent print
impressions, the scientific methodology adopted by the forensic science community such as
analysis, comparison, evaluation and verification is utilize as the backbone process and
accompanied by other methods commonly involved or applied with the examination of latent
prints.

This research was conducted at the three (3) Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) who
actively attend and participate in every Region 10 Council of Deans meeting and activity from
Misamis Occidental offering criminology program (i.e. Misamis University Main Campus
Ozamiz City with fifteen (15) respondents, Misamis University Extention Campus Oroquieta
City with twenty (20) respondents and Governor Alfonso de Tan College Tangub City with
fifteen (15) respondents. The respondents of this study are students who have undergone and
passed their Personal Identification subject.

Definition of Terms
The researcher intends to draw comprehension in this paper. The following are the terms
and definitions used in the study:
Analysis This pertains to the observation, measurement and determination process of the
characteristics of latent prints observed by the respondents.
Latent Prints This refers to the impressions produced by the ridge skin known as the friction
ridges on human fingers, palms, and soles of the feet.
Competency This refers to the sufficiency in knowledge, skills and methods of examining
latent print impressions.
Comparison This is a side by side examination or process of viewing the known and suspect
prints.
Fingerprint Analyst This often refers to us as Forensic Print Analyst, Latent Print Examiner, are
scientist who are responsible for preserving, studying, and evaluating fingerprints.

Evaluation This pertains to an act of looking into the similarities or dissimilarities or

scrutinizing the characteristics that have certain values for identification. Examiner will decide if
the prints are from the same source (identification or individualization), different sources
(exclusion) or is inconclusive.
Personal Identification Subject Grade This is the rating of students acquired after taking the
Personal Identification subject in the Criminology curriculum.
Personal Identification This study investigates the use of personal description as an
investigation technique to identify suspects. The study entails quantitative data obtained from
interviews with investigators, literatures, as well as case studies.
Latent Print Examination This refers to the examination of latent print impressions which
would involve scientific methods, physical methods and other methods involve in the
examination.
Verification This is when another examiner independently analyzes, compares and evaluates
the prints to either support or refute the conclusions of the original examiner. The examiner may
also verify the suitability of determinations made in the analysis phase.

Significance of the Study

The result of this study will benefit the following:

Criminology Professors / Instructors. This will guide the instructors to plan more activities that
can develop students technical and intellectual skills and their competency in examining latent
print impressions.
Criminology Students. The students will be provided with more knowledge in the examination of
latent print impressions and will give confidence to students to exert more effort to acquire
knowledge and skills for them to confidently apply and work as a competent fingerprint analyst
or examiner.
Employment Agencies. Employment Agencies which includes; National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI), Scene of the Crime Operatives (SOCO), Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine
Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and other local and
international agencies. This study will provide guidance to the agencies in hiring license
criminologist and considering the criminology graduates as part of their manpower. The result
may also serve as the basis of the detection of criminal activity and perpetrators.
Fingerprint Examiners. This will guide the examiners to become more competent and skillful in
terms of examining latent print impressions. It will also serve as a skill model for fingerprint
examiners.
Other Researchers. This will serve as a guide on what other aspects to considering in assessing
the competencies of the latent print examiner or any person doing the same activity.
Chapter 2

METHOD
This chapter deals mainly with the research method that would be use in this study. This includes
the research design, respondents, environment, data gathering procedure and data analysis /
statistical treatment.
Research Design
This study utilized the descriptive method. This shows the profile of the respondents
pertaining to their grade in Personal Identification subject as compared up to the dependent
variables to assess the level of competency of the criminology students / respondents through the
ACE- V methodology. This is concern with the conditions that exist, in the latent print
examination practices and principles, point of view, attitudes and / or process in working with the
latent print examination for three (3) schools of Misamis Occidental offering criminology
program. This is also developmental, since the findings are to be use as basis for assessing the
criminology students level of competency in examining latent print impressions.
Research Respondents
The respondents of this study were students of the three (3) Higher Education Institution
(HEIs) who actively participated in the Council of Deans meeting for criminology where the
researcher have access or contact with the following HEIs. These are Misamis University Main
Campus in Ozamiz City with fifteen (15) respondents, Misamis University Extension Campus
in Oroquieta City with twenty (20) respondents and Governor Alfonso de Tan College in Tangub
City with fifteen (15) respondents who undergone and passed their Personal Identification
subject. Cluster sampling was utilized in this study. The students who undergone Criminalistics /
Forensic Science I subject ( Personal Identification) were grouped as clusters considering three

(3) cities within Misamis Occidental and fifty (50) respondents were randomly selected from the
list of students instead of selecting individuals from a list that includes all schools (Key, 1997).
The criterion is based on the population of the selected three (3) HEIs.

Research Environment
This study will be conducted in the three active member schools in the Region 10
Council of Deans for Criminology Education. The three (3) educational institutions located in the
three cities of the province of Misamis Occidental are: (1) Misamis University (MU) main
campus located in Ozamiz City. Misamis University is the first school to establish criminology
education in Misamis Occidental and gained government recognition series of 1981 for the I-IV
year level program. (2) Misamis University (MU) extension campus is located at Oroquieta City.
The city where the Provincial Offices is established especially the PNP-Provincial Head Quarter.
(3) Governor Alfonso De Tan College (GADTC) is located at Tangub City. GADTC a local
community college is one of the institutions which offer the BS Criminology Program.
Data Gathering Procedure
Data Analysis / Statistical Treatment