Examination of pressure induced microstructural changes in fingerprint pores

Background: Fingerprints' permanence, individuality, and complex ridge patterns have made them a mainstay of forensic science for a long time. While traditional fingerprint analysis focuses on minutiae and ridge flow, modern forensic processes now look at Level 3 features, which are microscopic properties including pore size, shape, and distribution. Particularly in forensic situations when latent prints may be affected, the impact of outside variables like pressure on these micro-features is crucial. Understanding how applied pressure varies can improve the accuracy of fingerprint recognition and interpretation morphology of pores. Methods: This study focuses on the deformation of fingerprint pores under varying levels of applied pressure and its implications for latent print analysis. A total of 30 fingerprint samples, collected from male and female participants of Alakh Prakash Goyal University, Shimla, were examined under three distinct pressure conditions: light, medium, and heavy. Using stereomicroscopy and ImageJ software, the morphological changes in pore structure were observed and analyzed. To measure pore deformation and evaluate feature stability, statistical methods such as ANOVA and t-tests were used. Results: Significant deformation was seen in medium and high-pressure situations, and the study showed detectable variations in pore area and shape across the three pressure levels. Because pore morphology is susceptible to external pressure, the statistical analysis shows that these micro-features are not completely stable under different stressors. Conclusion: The findings aim to enhance the reliability of fingerprint comparison by distinguishing between natural micro-features and pressure-induced alterations. This study advances forensic identification techniques, especially in difficult situations where conventional traits can be jeopardized.