What are Rolled Fingerprints and how do I capture them?

Overview 

Rolled fingerprints are the ten individually taken fingerprint images rolled from nail to nail. While capturing rolled impressions there are some special circumstances that require us to notate or capture the fingerprint roll differently during this part of the session. Those special circumstances can include deformed or missing fingers, tip amputated or fully amputated fingers, scarred fingers, extra fingers, damaged fingers, and worn fingers.

 Rolled Prints & Tips and Tricks to Capture

• Rolled impressions are the ten individually-taken fingerprint images rolled from nail to nail. The plain impressions are used to verify the sequence and accuracy of the rolled impressions.
• When taking the rolled impression, the side of the finger bulb is placed upon the card or platen. The finger is then rolled to the other side until it faces the opposite direction. Care should be exercised so the bulb of each finger, from tip to below the first joint, is rolled evenly. Generally, the weight of the finger is the maximum pressure needed to clearly record a fingerprint. In order to take advantage of the natural movement of the forearm, the hand should be rotated from the more difficult position to the easiest position. This requires the thumbs be rolled toward and the fingers away from the center of the individual’s body. Roll each finger from nail to nail in the appropriate space, taking care to lift each finger up after rolling to avoid smudging.

Special Circumstances

• Deformed or missing fingers:
  • If the finger is deformed, every attempt should be made to record the fingerprint in both the rolled and plain impression blocks. A postmortem kit, which is more commonly known as a spoon, can be utilized to assist in recording these images. If unable to record the image, simply place a notation in the fingerprint block (e.g., deformed, webbed) or electronically apply the Unable to Print (UP) code in data field 2.084. Missing fingers are fingers physically present but cannot be recorded at the time of capture due to injury. Each missing finger should be designated via a notation in the fingerprint block (e.g., bandaged, injured, crippled, paralyzed) or electronically apply the UP code in data field 2.084.

• Fully amputated fingers:
  • An amputated finger occurs when the finger’s first joint is no longer physically present. Amputated fingers should be designated via a notation in the fingerprint block (e.g., amp, missing at birth, severed) or electronically apply the Amputated (XX) code in data field 2.084.

• Tip-amputated fingers:
  • If a portion of the first joint is present, record the available fingerprint pattern area in both the rolled and plain impression blocks.

• Extra fingers:
  • When fingerprinting an individual with an extra finger, record only the thumb and the next four fingers. Do not record the extra finger as either a rolled or plain impression.

• Scarred fingers:
  • Record scarred fingers in both the rolled and plain impressions without a notation.

• Worn fingerprints:
  • An individual, by the nature of their work or age, may have very thin or worn ridges in the pattern area. Apply light pressure and use very little ink to record these types of fingerprint impressions. A technique known as “milking the finger” can be used to raise the fingerprint ridges prior to printing. This technique involves applying pressure or rubbing the fingers in a downward motion from palm to fingertip.

If the above suggestions do not improve fingerprint quality, please utilize the chat option on our website to speak to one of our identity experts. We will be able to remotely connect to the fingerprinting kiosk and walk you through further options to submit your fingerprints.