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Guidelines for Capturing Friction Ridge Detail

17-P-002-2.0

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction

The purpose of this document is to describe the proper documentation of friction ridge evidence by qualified personnel when using a digital camera in the field.

The procedures described in this document are made in accordance with Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology (SWGFAST) guidance [1]Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology, Standard for Friction Ridge Impression Digital Imaging. SWGFAST Document #6, Ver. 2.0. 2013. https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2016/10/26/swgfast_standard_imaging_final_2.0_1 30427.pdf., [2]Mangold, Kevin C. Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011. NIST Special Publication 500-290 Edition 3, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 2016. https://www.nist.gov/publications/data-format-interchange-fingerprint-facial- other-biometric-information-ansinist-itl-1-1..

2. Equipment

A digital camera kit should consist of, at a minimum, the following items:

  • Digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) or Mirrorless Interchangeable Lens Camera (MILC)
  • Fixed focal length macro lens
  • Detachable flash with remote capabilities
  • Remote shutter release
  • Sturdy tripod capable of various angles and positions
  • Variety of light sources (e.g. floodlights, flashlights, Alternate Light Sources [ALS])
  • Lens filters
  • Inclinometer or angle finder
  • Digital storage media
  • Flat rigid scales

The digital camera kit can also include the following optional items:

  • Laptop with appropriate software for viewing images at the scene
  • Appropriate cables and connections
  • Media card reader
  • Portable hard drives.

3. Camera Set Up and Use

Prior to capturing friction ridge detail, determine the maximum area of coverage in which a minimum of 1000 ppi may be achieved. See SWGDE 17-P-002-1.0 Guidelines for the Testing and Capture of Latent Impressions Using a Camera or Scanner [3]Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Guidelines for the Testing and Capture of Latent Impressions Using a Camera or Scanner. SWGDE 17-P-002-1.0, SWGDE, 2018. https://www.swgde.org/17-p-002/ for more information.

  1. Verify camera settings including, but not limited to: time/date, image file format, and image size. Images should be captured using uncompressed, or lossless compression (e.g. RAW or TIFF). Refer to SWGDE 16-M-001-3.0 Digital Image Compression and File Formats Guidelines [4]Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Digital Image Compression and File Formats Guidelines. SWGDE 16-M-001-3.0, SWGDE, 2024. https://www.swgde.org/16-m-001/..
  2. Capture an overall view of the friction ridge detail both without and with a scale, using proper lighting. [5]Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Lighting Techniques in Forensic Photography. SWGDE 21-P-002-1.0, SWGDE, 2022. https://www.swgde.org/21-p-002/.
  3. Mount the camera on a tripod with the camera’s sensor plane parallel to the impression. Ensure the area to be photographed does not exceed the previously determined maximum area of coverage [3]Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Guidelines for the Testing and Capture of Latent Impressions Using a Camera or Scanner. SWGDE 17-P-002-1.0, SWGDE, 2018. https://www.swgde.org/17-p-002/.
  4. Light the friction ridge detail using an appropriate lighting technique [5]Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Lighting Techniques in Forensic Photography. SWGDE 21-P-002-1.0, SWGDE, 2022. https://www.swgde.org/21-p-002/..
  5. Place scale on the same plane and as close as possible to the impression without obscuring detail. The scale may contain case information based on organizational procedures. (see Figure 1)
  6. Use manual or aperture priority modes for more control over the exposure and depth of field.
  7. Capture an image of the impression.
  8. Repeat for each impression, adjust the lighting and camera settings as needed.
  9. If the evidence is processed further, re-photograph as appropriate for all friction ridges developed.
  10. Image files should be transferred to an approved storage device and camera media should be reformatted; refer to SWGDE 17-I-001-1.1 Best Practices for Maintaining the Integrity of Imagery [6]Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Best Practices for Maintaining the Integrity of Imagery. SWGDE 17-I-001-1.1, SWGDE, 2025. https://www.swgde.org/17-i-001/..

Figure 1. Scale Placement (Image Credit: SWGDE)

4. References

[1] Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and Technology, Standard for Friction Ridge Impression Digital Imaging. SWGFAST Document #6, Ver. 2.0. 2013. https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2016/10/26/swgfast_standard_imaging_final_2.0_1 pdf.

[2] Mangold, Kevin C. Data Format for the Interchange of Fingerprint, Facial & Other Biometric Information ANSI/NIST-ITL 1-2011. NIST Special Publication 500-290 Edition 3, Special Publication (NIST SP), National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD, 2016. https://www.nist.gov/publications/data-format-interchange-fingerprint-facial- other-biometric-information-ansinist-itl-1-1.

[3] Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Guidelines for the Testing and Capture of Latent Impressions Using a Camera or Scanner. SWGDE 17-P-002-1.0, SWGDE, 2018. https://www.swgde.org/17-p-002/

[4] Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Digital Image Compression and File Formats Guidelines. SWGDE 16-M-001-3.0, SWGDE, 2024. https://www.swgde.org/16-m-001/.

[5] Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Lighting Techniques in Forensic Photography. SWGDE 21-P-002-1.0, SWGDE, 2022. https://www.swgde.org/21-p-002/.

[6] Scientific Working Group on Digital Evidence. Best Practices for Maintaining the Integrity of Imagery. SWGDE 17-I-001-1.1, SWGDE, 2025. https://www.swgde.org/17-i-001/.

5. History

Revision Issue Date History
1.0 DRAFT
8/24/2017
Initial draft created and SWGDE voted to approve as a Draft for Public Comment
1.0 DRAFT
9/25/2017
Formatted for release as a Draft for Public Comment
1.0
1/11/2018
Added reference. SWGDE voted to approve as a Final Approved Document.
1.0
4/25/2018
Formatted for release as a Final Approved Document
2.0 DRAFT
1/12/2023
Full re-write on v 1.0; title changed to Guidelines for Capturing Friction Ridge Detail.
2.0 DRAFT
3/31/2023
SWGDE voted to approve as Draft for Public Comment.
2.0
6/29/2023
No public comments received. SWGDE voted to approve as a Final Approved Document.
2.0
7/29/2025
Formatted for release as a Final Approved Document.

Version: 2.0 (8/6/2025)

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