A properly rolled fingerprint should capture what area?

A properly rolled fingerprint should capture what area?

• A. Nail edge to nail edge from fingertip to below the first joint
• B. The distal phalange only
• C. From fingertip to the middle of the second joint
• D. Only the pad of the fingertip

Answer: (A)

A properly rolled fingerprint should capture the full usable pattern on the fingertip by rolling from one nail edge to the other edge, and extending from the very tip down to just below the first joint. This ensures the entire distal phalanx—the tip area where the friction ridges are most distinctive—is recorded, including ridges near the nail and along the sides. Rolling this way provides a complete print with all minutiae needed for comparison. Rolling only the distal phalange or only the pad misses parts of the ridge pattern, and stopping around the middle of the finger leaves out sections that are still part of the print.

A properly rolled fingerprint should capture the full usable pattern on the fingertip by rolling from one nail edge to the other edge, and extending from the very tip down to just below the first joint. This ensures the entire distal phalanx—the tip area where the friction ridges are most distinctive—is recorded, including ridges near the nail and along the sides. Rolling this way provides a complete print with all minutiae needed for comparison.

Rolling only the distal phalange or only the pad misses parts of the ridge pattern, and stopping around the middle of the finger leaves out sections that are still part of the print.