In the context of friction ridge analysis, what does the term "sequence" refer to?

In the context of friction ridge analysis, the term "sequence" refers to the connection of print areas. This highlights the way in which different latent prints can be associated or connected based on their spatial arrangement or sequence relative to each other. Recognizing the sequence allows analysts to better understand the pattern of contact and the potential sources of friction ridges found at a crime scene. It can help identify whether multiple prints are from the same individual and how they might have been left in a particular order or manner during the commission of a crime. This is crucial in reconstructing events and determining the context in which the prints were deposited.

The other concepts are more focused on individual characteristics of prints or general patterns, rather than the relationship and order of multiple areas, which is why they do not correctly define "sequence" in this specialized analysis.