Wisconsin Department of Justice Identification Manual - Imprimus ...

Fingerprinting Deformities (Extra or Webbed
Fingers)
If a subject has more than 10 fingers, as occasionally happens, the thumbs and the
next 4 fingers should be printed, and any remaining fingers should be printed in the
additional information field on the face side of the fingerprint card with a notation
made to the effect that these impressions are extra fingers. When a person with more
than 10 fingers has an intentional amputation performed, it is invariably the extra
finger on the little finger side which is amputated.
It also happens, not infrequently, that a subject will have two or more fingers webbed
or grown together making it impossible to roll such fingers on the inside. Such
fingers should be rolled, however, as completely as possible, and a notation made to
the effect that they are joined.
Split thumbs, i.e., thumbs having two nail joints are classified as if the joint toward
the outside of the hand were not present. In other words the inner joint is used, and
no consideration whatever is given to the outer joint.
The above situations can also present a problem when taking prints on a livescan
device. Basically, the same rules should apply. For any extra fingers, do not roll
fingers and/or thumbs located on the outside of the hand. Only capture the inside
thumb and the next 4 fingers of each hand. For all webbed fingers, capture only one
side at a time to insure an image is in each box even though you will probably be
unable to make a complete roll. A notation should be made in the “Additional
Information/Basis for Caution” box of the fingerprint card.
NOTE: Agencies are urged to contact the Crime Information Bureau for assistance
when unusual circumstances not covered in the Section are encountered.
Quality Control
After taking the fingerprint impressions, there is always the question of whether the
card meets the requirements of CIB and/or FBI. This quality control system has been
devised in order that the card may be checked for possible discrepancies:
1. Is there an impression in each block?
2. Are there four impressions and a thumb impression in the plain
impression block?
3. If the impression is a loop, is the core and delta present?
Wisconsin Department of Justice Identification Manual Obtaining Fingerprint Impressions • 77