GENERAL PHYSIOLOGY LAB

BIO 192.2

LABORATORY ACTIVITY NO. 2

THE INTEGUMENT

GROUP 3

BACONGCO, Angelbert R.
DATO-ON, Vanessa Pearl B.
PALOMO, Jason Vann A.
RELLON, Vladimir C,
VINSON, Nidelli S.

ABSTRACT
The integumentary system is the largest organ system of the body consisting of
the skin and its appendages. The skin is divided into two main layers, namely the
dermis and epidermis. The epidermis is the superficial layers exposed to the
external environment and is composed mostly of dead, keratinized cells whereas
the dermis is located deeper under the epidermis and is heavily vascularized. One
layer of the dermis, the papillary layer, contains ridges that form fingerprints.
Fingerprints are unique to each individual and they serve as powerful means of
identification. One of the skins appendages is the sweat gland. The body contains
numerous sweat glands all throughout. In this activity, the students aimed to
explain the distribution of sweat glands in the human body, identify and analyze
fingerprint types, develop a database for fingerprints and demonstrate various
techniques in fingerprint collection and identification. Between the wrist and the
palm, more active sweat glands are distributed on the wrist area. Different
fingerprint types were observed using carbon paper and tape. Between
fingerprinting techniques iodine fuming and powder dusting, iodine fuming is seen
to be more efficient as it provided much clearer and defined results.

INTRODUCTION
The integumentary system is the largest organ system in the body. It is mainly
composed of the skin and its appendages. The skin is divided into two main layers,
namely epidermis and dermis. The epidermis subdivided into stratum corneum,
stratum lucidum, stratum granulosum, stratum spinosum, and stratum basale.
Stratum lucidum is found only in thick skins. Stratum corneum is the most
superficial layers and is subjected to abrasions and the external environment.
Stratum basale is composed of actively dividing cells. The dermis is subdivided into
papillary layer and reticular layer. The reticular layer is heavily vascularized while
the papillary layer Increases the surface area of contact. Also, the dermal papilla in
the papillary layer contains ridge like projections.
The papillary ridges in the palm of the hands, fingers, soles and toes of the feet
are formed during fetal life and remains even after death. Fingerprints are patterns
formed by these papillary ridges on fingertips and have been the standard for
personal identification throughout the years. It also has rows of pores connecting to
the sweat glands. Since fingerprints form definite patterns and are unique for every
individual, they provide the most powerful identification available to police and
courts.
 In this activity, the students aimed to explain the distribution of sweat glands in
the human body, identify and analyze fingerprint types, develop a database for
fingerprints and demonstrate various techniques in fingerprint collection and
identification.

METHODOLOGY

Preparation of Materials
Before starting the laboratory activity, the group first requested for five glass
slides, iodine solution and iodine crystals from the laboratory as one of the main
materials needed for this activity. The group also prepared clean sheets of bond
paper which is untouched, a scotch tape, a cotton swabs, a magnifying glass, a
large big-mouthed bottle with lid, make-up brush, unused carbon paper, and for our
group we prepared two forceps and crashed charcoal as our black dusting powder.

Gathering of Data
The first part of the activity which is entitled, Locating Structures in the Skin,
were assigned as an activity intended for the whole class so we skipped to the
second part of the activity which is, Plotting Distribution of Sweat Glands.
The group have two volunteers to perform and before we started this activity,
we prepared four clean squares of bond paper approximately 1cm 2, two pieces each
volunteer. In preparing the paper squares, the group used two forceps to be sure
that we will not touch the paper and for it will stay untouched for the accuracy of
the results. By using the cotton swabs, the group painted an iodine solution three
times on the small area of the two volunteers palms and wrists and waited for it to
dry. We also made sure that the painted area is slightly larger than the paper
squares we prepared. When it is dry, the group secured each paper squares by
putting tape above it, the waited again for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, the blue-
black dots were observed and counted for the indication of the appearance of an
active sweat gland.
The third part of this activity is entitled, Fingerprinting, in which it is also
composed of two parts, the Fingerprint Database and the Techniques in Fingerprint
Collection and Identification. In the Fingerprint Database, the group will determine if
our fingerprints were Arch, Whorl or Loop. In this part, all members of the group
participated. With the use of an unused carbon paper, each member gently pressed
all their right fingers on it and rolled it from left to right, starting with our right index
finger. While a finger is pressed on the carbon paper, the group prepared a strip of
clear tape and placed the carbon-covered section of the finger on it, we removed
the tape and placed in our data sheet with our initials. With the use of the
magnifying glass, the group observed the categories of each fingerprint and
indicated it on the data sheet. We have five members in our group, with the total of
25 fingerprints on the data sheet. In the part of Techniques in Fingerprint Collection
and Identification, it is also composed of two separate activity, the Iodine Fuming
and the Dusting with Powder. In the Iodine fuming, we cut five clean pieces of bond
paper with the measurement of 5cmx 5cm, one piece for each member. In
preparing the pieces of paper, the group used two forceps to be sure that we will
not touch the paper for the accuracy of the results. Each member rubbed their left
thumb against their nose, then rolled that finger across the center of the prepared
pieces of paper, and carefully wrote their initials with the help of the forceps to hold
the paper. The paper will be placed on the bottle with iodine crystals on it, sealed
the jar and waited for the fingerprint to develop, approximately 20 minutes. When
the fingerprints developed, with the use of the magnifying glass, the group
observed the categories of each fingerprint and indicated it on the data sheet, then
we attached the papers to the sheet with our initials. Lastly, for the Dusting with
Powder, with the help of the forceps, the group picked up the glass slide and each
member rubbed their left thumb against their nose, then rolled that finger on the
glass slides. Then we sprinkled black powder on the slide with the use of a brush.
Then attached a clear tape over the print, rubbed from top to bottom, lift the tape
and attached on the data sheet with our initials and category of the fingerprints.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

 The actual observation yielded no significant results. However, the expected
observation should have showed that there are more active sweat glands on the
wrist than on the palms (Gray, 1918). This was visually observed by the students,
however no bluish black spots were seen on the sheets of paper. A probable cause
for this is the fact that the paper was prone to smudging (Randall, 1946).

Each members fingerprints were observed to de unique and different from the
others. Some have a looped fingerprint, others whorled and others arched; these
are according to Henrys system of classification (Henry, 1905). It was also observed
that fingerprints of fingers belonging to one hand are not similar/identical, each
finger bears a different marking from the others. Fingerprints and finger marks
combine to provide powerful means of identification as they leave marks on
anything touched by bare hands (Kaushal & Kaushal, 2011).

Dusting with powder and iodine fuming are methods employed to obtain
fingerprints invisible to the naked eye. Iodine fuming is one of the oldest known
techniques and it simple, rapid, efficient, and conventional. Due to sublimation of
iodine vapor, the fingerprints became visible as yellowish brown prints. (Jasuja et.
al, 2012). Powder dusting is the simplest and most common technique. It is a
universal method used even since the early days of fingerprinting techniques (Sodhi
& Kaur, 2001). Powder adhered to the ridges on the fingertips, defining the patterns
and shapes. This technique however was observed to be less efficient than iodine
fuming, because powder dusting provided less clear and less defined fingerprints.

CONCLUSION
To conclude, the students were able to observe and explain the distribution of
sweat glands on the wrists and palms, and also to identify different fingerprint types
as well as demonstrate some common fingerprint identification techniques.
REFERENCES

Gray, H. (1918). The Organs of the Senses and the Common Integument. Anatomy
of the Human Body 20th edition.
Henry, E. R. (1905). Classification and uses of finger prints. HM Stationery Office.
Jasuja, O. P., Kaur, A., & Kumar, P. (2012). Fixing latent fingermarks developed by
iodine fuming: A new method. Forensic science international, 223(1), e47-
e52.
Kaushal, N. & Kaushal, P. (2011). Human Identification and Fingerprints: A Review. Biometrics &
Biostatistics 2(4). DOI: 10.4172/21556180.1000123
Randall, W. C. (1946). Quantitation and regional distribution of sweat glands in man. Journal of
Clinical Investigation, 25(5), 761.
Sodhi, G. S., & Kaur, J. (2001). Powder method for detecting latent fingerprints: a
review. Forensic Science International, 120(3), 172-176.

DOCUMENTATION