What does edgeoscopy involve in the context of friction ridge comparison?

Edgeoscopy primarily focuses on the shapes and characteristics of the edges of friction ridges in fingerprint analysis. In the context of friction ridge comparison, it involves examining the distinct features of ridge edges, such as the way the ridges end, bifurcate, or exhibit variations in their contours and textures. This method provides additional detail that can help differentiate one fingerprint from another and can be particularly useful in cases where other characteristics may not provide enough distinguishing information.

The correct answer emphasizes the analysis of edge shapes, which is central to edgeoscopy. The unique shapes and patterns of the ridge edges can serve as critical identifiers in latent print examination, enabling examiners to make more informed comparisons.