Steps for analyzing and comparing fingerprints in forensic investigation.

Let’s go step by step using the five steps given for analyzing and comparing fingerprints.

We are comparing:
- Recovered print from burglary scene (unknown)
- With two known prints:
→ Known left thumbprint from suspect
→ Known right thumbprint from suspect

We need to see which one matches — if any.

---

Step 1: Identify the general type of the central area of the fingerprint.

Look at the recovered print (bottom left). The ridges form a circular or spiral pattern in the center — this is called a whorl.

Now check the known prints:

- Known left thumbprint (top left): Also has a whorl pattern in the center.
- Known right thumbprint (top right): This one looks like an arch — ridges flow from one side to the other without looping or spiraling.

So, Step 1 tells us:
→ Recovered print = Whorl
→ Left thumb = Whorl ✔ possible match
→ Right thumb = Arch ✘ not matching type

Already, we can likely rule out the right thumbprint because the basic pattern doesn’t match.

---

Step 2: Match fingerprint ridgeline details.

This means look closely at how the lines curve, split, end, or connect — especially around the center and edges.

Compare recovered print with left thumbprint:

Both have:
- A clear whorl in the center
- Similar ridge flow going clockwise around the core
- Ridge endings and bifurcations (splits) appear in similar positions when you trace them carefully

Compare recovered print with right thumbprint:

Right thumb has straighter, flowing arches — no spiral. Ridgelines don’t match at all. Even if you ignore the pattern type, the actual line paths are totally different.

So Step 2 supports:
→ Left thumb matches ridgeline details with recovered print
→ Right thumb does NOT

---

Step 3: Compare the unknown print and the known print, point by point, feature by feature, to see if they match.

Pick key features — for example:

In the recovered print:
- There’s a ridge that starts near the bottom-left, curves up, and splits into two branches near the top-center.
- Another ridge ends abruptly just above the center whorl on the right side.

Check left thumbprint:
→ Same ridge starting bottom-left, curving up, splitting near top-center? YES.
→ Same ridge ending above center on right? YES.

Check right thumbprint:
→ No such ridges exist — it’s an arch, so ridges run horizontally across. Nothing matches point-by-point.

So Step 3 confirms:
→ Left thumb matches point-by-point
→ Right thumb does not

---

Step 4: Evaluate whether the unknown print matches the known print or not.

Based on Steps 1–3:

- Pattern type matches only with left thumb
- Ridgeline details match only with left thumb
- Point-by-point comparison matches only with left thumb

Therefore:
→ Recovered print MATCHES the known left thumbprint
→ Does NOT match the known right thumbprint

---

Step 5: A second examiner verifies the results.

(This step is procedural — we assume verification would confirm our findings since all evidence points clearly to the left thumb.)

---

Final conclusion:

The recovered fingerprint from the burglary scene matches the known left thumbprint from the suspect.

It does NOT match the right thumbprint.

──────────────────────────────────────

Final Answer:
The recovered print matches the known left thumbprint from the suspect.