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4.12: MINUTIAE

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    52991
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    As previously mentioned in Chapter 3, Sir Francis Galton provided for us a method of classification inside of the patterns that are based on natural formations of the ridges. These formations, called minutiae or Galton’s Detail, are bifurcations, end ridges, short ridges, enclosures, spurs, bridges, and dots. The position of these formations within the pattern are what make the finger marks unique and individual. The following are descriptions of fingerprint minutiae:

    Black and white fingerprint patterns highlighting a short ridge and a spur, each marked with blue circles and red arrows.
    Diagram of a fingerprint with a blue circle and an arrow pointing to a ridge labeled "Bridge."
    A close-up of a fingerprint pattern, with an enclosed area highlighted in blue and labeled "Enclosure" with a red arrow.
    Black and white fingerprint pattern with a blue circle highlighting a dot, and a red arrow pointing to the dot.
    Image of a fingerprint close-up, highlighting an "End Ridge" and "Bifurcation" with labels and circles around them.
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Galton's Detail - Author's collection

    This page titled 4.12: MINUTIAE is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by David Doglietto.

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