1. What is the name given to the study of fingerprints? trichology entomology dactyloscopy palynology

2. What is the function of the ridges on our fingers which create fingerprints? They help us to identify individual human beings. They enable us to grasp objects. They provide insulation for the tissues under the skin. They provide protection for our touch receptors.

3. What causes fingerprints to be left behind when we touch things? the dust on the things we touch the smoothness of the surfaces we touch the natural oils in the skin the moisture in the atmosphere

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the three basic types of fingerprint patterns? spirals arches loops whorls

5. At what age do human beings acquire fingerprints? at birth at three month's gestation at two weeks of age at six month's gestation

6. Which of the following statements about fingerprints is NOT true? Fingerprints are unique for every human being. Fingerprints do not change with growth or age. Even identical twins do not have identical fingerprints. Fingerprints are no more similar between two family members than between two strangers.

7. Which animal is said to have fingerprints virtually indistinguishable from those of human beings? raccoon koala lemur panda

8. Why is it usually impossible to obtain fingerprints from textiles such as fabric, clothing and carpet? because textiles almost always contain synthetic materials because textiles are very absorbent because textile fibres are resistant to the powders used to dust for prints because most modern fibres are treated with fluorocarbons to repel moisture

9. Who is generally recognised as being the first person to use fingerprints as a means of identification? Alphonse Bertillon Sir William Herschel Dr Henry Faulds Sir Edward Henry

10. What is the minimum number of matching points required to identify an unknown latent print? there is no minimum 16 12 32

11. In which country was the first case of a conviction based on fingerprint evidence? Germany Australia China Argentina

12. In 1902, Henry (Harry) Jackson became the first person in the United Kingdom to be convicted on fingerprint evidence. What was his crime? embezzlement burglary blackmail kidnapping

13. In 1910, Thomas Jennings became the first person in the United States of America to be convicted on fingerprint evidence. What was his crime? forgery kidnapping murder bootlegging

14. Who was responsible for starting the first national fingerprint register in America in the 1920's? Herbert Hoover Calvin Coolidge J Edgar Hoover August Vollmer

15. Which famous author was the first to utilise fingerprint evidence to solve a fictional crime? Rudyard Kipling Agatha Christie Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Mark Twain