151 152 153 154 155 156 157 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 111 111 111 111 111 111 111 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 --- --- --- --- --- --- --- 111 111 111 111 111 111 111 171 172 173 174 175 176 177 777. --- --- --- --- --- --- --- etc., to --- 111 111 111 111 111 111 111 777 No matter how many of these divisions may be used, the order should remain the same; and no matter how many of these divisions are used, each individual group should be sequenced by: VIII. _Final:_ Filed in numerical sequence from 1 out. For example, assume that there are 15 prints in a group having a final of 14. All of these should be filed together and followed by those prints in the same group having a final of 15, etc. IX. _Key:_ All prints appearing in a designated final group are arranged by key in numerical sequence from 1 out. For example, assume that there are 5 prints in a group having a key of 14. All of these should be filed together and followed by those prints in the same group having a key of 15, etc. CHAPTER VII _Searching and Referencing_ _Searching_ When searching a print through the fingerprint files in order to establish an identification, it should be remembered that the fingerprint cards are filed in such a way that all those prints having the same classification are together. Thus, the print being searched is compared only with the groups having a comparable classification, rather than with the whole file. After locating the proper group classification, the searcher should fix in his mind the one or two most outstanding characteristics of the patterns of the current print and look for them among the prints in file. If a print is found which has a characteristic resembling one upon the current print, the two prints should be examined closely to determine if identical. To avoid making an erroneous identification, the searcher should be exceedingly careful to ascertain that the prints being compared are identical in all respects before identifying one against the other. To establish identity, it is necessary to locate several points of identity among the characteristics of the prints. The number of identical characteristics is left to the discretion of the individual but he should be absolutely certain that the prints are identical before treating them as such. Characteristics need not appear within the pattern area, since any ridge formation is acceptable. Quite often excellent ridge detail appears in the second joint of the finger. The characteristics used to establish an identification are shown in figure 102. The final and the key may be considered control figures for searching prints. They limit the number of prints it is necessary to search in a group to those prints having finals and keys closely related to the final and key of the print being searched.