What was significant about the Joseph Reibel murder case in 1902?

It was the first time in Europe that a crime was solved using fingerprints alone.

Why do humans have friction ridges on their fingers and feet?

Friction ridges provide a firmer grip, especially on wet surfaces, and increase our sensitivity to touch.

Patent prints and plastic prints

Latent prints are revealed by dusting with a fine powder that sticks to the water and oil trail left by the ridges.

I can describe the steps involved in processing a crime scene.

1
In 1902, detectives in Paris solved a murder case using bloody fingerprints found on a shard of broken glass, marking the first time fingerprints alone were used to solve a crime in Europe.
2
Patent prints are left by transferable substances like blood or dirt, while latent prints are composed of water, oils, proteins, and salts that require dusting or chemical developers to be seen.
3
Investigators compare minor fingerprint details, such as how the ridges branch and intersect, and the spacing of oil pores, but the system isn't infallible and is prone to human error.