| O 17 W | O 19 W OOO | |
| L 17 Ua | L 17 U OII |
| O 17 W | O 19 W OOO | |
| L 17 Ut | L 17 U OMI |
The referencing of partial scars is a problem in which many factors are present. A full explanation of the scars, their preferred classifications and their references is made in the chapter, "[Classification of Scarred Patterns—Amputations—Missing at Birth]."
When the age extension is utilized and a "Reference" group and a "Presumptive Dead" file are maintained, it is suggested that a general allowance of 5 years be considered to allow for a discrepancy in prints bearing the ages of 50 years or older.
In the files of the Federal Bureau of Investigation the various age groups are as follows:
| 1-54 | "Regular" file. |
| 55-74 | "Reference" file. |
| 75 and over | "Presumptive Dead" file. |
Reference searches for the preceding groups are conducted in the following manner:
| 50-54 | Referenced to "Reference" file. |
| 70-74 | Referenced to "Presumptive Dead" file and "Regular" file. |
| 75-79 | Referenced to "Reference" file and "Regular" file. |
| 80 and older | Referenced to "Regular" file only. |
If no age is given, it should be searched first in the regular file and reference searches should be conducted in the "Reference" group and the "Presumptive Dead" file.
When separate male and female files are maintained, there may be doubt as to the sex of a subject due to a discrepancy between the sex indicated and the name and the description and picture. In such case try to determine the sex from the description and the size of the prints, then reference the print to the other file. A Photostat copy can be made and placed in the other file until the true sex can be determined.