Permanent Disabilities to Fingerprinting

Permanent disabilities can, in most cases, be handled by the identification officer.  These may include missing fingers (missing at birth or amputations), and crippled fingers (bent or deformed).

It should be noted that some individuals are born without certain fingers and the notation "missing at birth" must be made in the individual fingerprint block on the card.

If the person has an amputation, the notation "XX" must be placed in the appropriate fingerprint block(s).  The date of the amputation should be included.  If a portion of the first joint of a finger is amputated, the finger should be inked and printed and a notation "XX" made.  At times fingers that have been damaged are repaired through the process of skin grafting.  If this is the case, the impression for the finger that has been grafted should be rolled and the proper notation should be made in the fingerprint block.

The handling of crippled fingers and certain deformities can be discussed as a group because they generally present the same problems.  It is not sufficient in all cases to indicate "bent" or "crippled."  If the fingers are bent or crippled so that they are touching the palm and cannot be moved, a notation to this effect should be on the fingerprint card in the proper individual fingerprint block.  However, these extreme cases are rare.  It is suggested special inking devices be used for obtaining the inked impressions of bent or crippled fingers.

This equipment (see Figure Equipment for Printing Crippled Fingers) consists of a spatula, small roller, and a curved holder for the individual finger block.  The card can be separated by cutting out the blocks on the fingerprint card and each crippled finger is taken as a separate unit and then pasted over the appropriate block on the fingerprint card for submission.  See Figures Inking a Crippled Finger and Obtaining Crippled Impression for proper method of inking and obtaining of impressions of crippled fingers.

Equipment for Printing Crippled Fingers

Inking a Crippled Finger

Obtaining Crippled Impression