fingerprints
Touch leaves these
Fingerprints are the unique patterns of ridges on the tips of human fingers.
Because no two people share identical patterns, fingerprints serve as reliable identifiers—detectives dust for fingerprints at crime scenes, and smartphones use fingerprint scanners for security.
Figuratively, anything distinctive left behind: The architect's fingerprints are all over the design.
To fingerprint someone is to record their prints.
Narrow elevated formations
- whorlsSpiral arrangements around center
- loopsSelf-crossing curved shapes
- archesWeight-bearing curved spans
- minutiaePetty precise particulars
papillary · skin · friction · patterns · unique · thumbprint · digits · fingertip
Present but inactive
- dustingRemoving surface grime
- powderFine dry particles
- brushBristled cleaning tool
- AFISAutomated print identification database
database · match · comparison · examiner · fuming · luminol · ultraviolet · fluorescence
Visible impression or sign
- imprintMark from applied pressure
- smudgeUnclear dirty mark
- residueMatter left behind
- touchPerceiving through physical contact
contact · impression · left-behind · evidence · surface · glass · doorknob · weapon
Only one exists
- individualityUnique personal character
- biometricMeasuring unique physical characteristics
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
- verificationProving something accurate
authentication · scanner · sensor · unlock · access · passport · security · distinctive
ridges
Narrow elevated formations
- whorlsSpiral arrangements around center
- loopsSelf-crossing curved shapes
- archesWeight-bearing curved spans
minutiae · papillary · skin · friction · patterns · unique · thumbprint · digits · fingertip · sweat
latent
Present but inactive
AFIS · database · match · comparison · examiner · fuming · luminol · ultraviolet · fluorescence · enhancement
mark
Visible impression or sign
touch · contact · impression · left-behind · evidence · surface · glass · doorknob · weapon · oily
unique
Only one exists
- individualityUnique personal character
- biometricMeasuring unique physical characteristics
- identificationEstablishing who someone is
verification · authentication · scanner · sensor · unlock · access · passport · security · distinctive · personhood
clue
Solving aid
- detectiveProfessional crime investigator
- whodunitCrime fiction identifying perpetrator
- sleuthPrivate investigator
Sherlock · crime · suspect · investigation · thriller · noir · evidence · incriminating · planted · matched
- Criminal Investigationdetective, crime scene, crime investigation, forensics, investigator
- criminal investigationsinvestigations, crime scene, crime scenes, crime scene investigation, crime scene analysis
- FBIFBI, agent, special agent, bureau, FBI Academy
- true crimetrue crime, cold case, crime docs, unsolved mystery, murder mystery
- body traitsheight, weight, body shape, build, stature
- evidenceevidence, evidence bag, circumstantial evidence, proof, admissible
fingerprintsDNA evidence
Biological material proving identity
genetic material · blood samples · dental records · hair samples · retinal scans
fingerprintsanonymity
Unknown identity state
untraceability · clean hands · no trace · deniability · invisibility
- fingerprint analysisIdentifying people by digit patterns
- fingerprint scanIdentity verification via fingertip
- fingerprint scannerDevice reading digit patterns
- DNA fingerprintingTechnique identifying individuals genetically
- fingerprint readerRidge pattern recognition device
- fingerprint sensorDevice reading ridge patterns
fingerprint, fingerprinted, fingerprinting, fingerprint analysis