Learn to compare unknown and known fingerprints using ridge endings, bifurcations, guided marking, and hands-on practice
This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.
What you’ll learn
- Identify ridge endings and bifurcations in fingerprint impressions..
- Compare an unknown fingerprint with a known fingerprint using a simple manual method..
- Apply the “U asks, K gives the answer” comparison process..
- Mark and label comparison points clearly using the course workbook..
- Decide whether two fingerprint impressions match or do not match based on corresponding ridge details..
- Check completed exercises against the instructor answer key..
Course Content
- Getting Started –> 5 lectures • 14min.
- Fingerprint Comparison Points –> 3 lectures • 7min.
- The Comparison Method –> 3 lectures • 6min.
- Course Practice and Completion –> 3 lectures • 7min.
Requirements
This course contains the use of artificial intelligence.
Basic Fingerprint Comparison: Ridge Endings and Bifurcations is a beginner-friendly course that introduces a simple, structured method for manually comparing fingerprints.
The course focuses on two important fingerprint characteristics: ridge endings and bifurcations. Students learn how to locate these points, mark them clearly, and compare the same relative areas between an unknown print and a known print.
A central method used throughout the course is: U asks, K gives the answer. Students begin with the unknown print, identify and mark the required ridge detail, and then check whether the same feature appears in the corresponding location and relationship on the known print.
The course includes guided video lessons, a downloadable student workbook, and a separate answer key. Students work through 35 practical exercises covering several fingerprint pattern groups. Some exercises are matches and some are no-matches, allowing students to practise both types of decisions.
The 9-point training target provides a consistent practice goal, but it is used as a learning guide rather than a legal or professional identification standard. The instructor answer key shows selected reference points, while students may identify other valid ridge details.
This course is suitable for beginners, criminal justice and forensic science students, investigators, security personnel, policing students, and anyone interested in understanding the basic process of manual fingerprint comparison.
No previous fingerprint experience is required. This course is intended as an introductory practice resource and does not provide professional certification.