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 considere