Who coined the term "ridgeology"?

The term "ridgeology" was coined by David Ashbaugh, who developed this methodology for the analysis and comparison of friction ridge skin characteristics in latent fingerprints. Ridgeology focuses on the patterns, features, and minutiae that are found in fingerprints, detailing how these characteristics may be interpreted during the comparison process. Ashbaugh’s contributions provided a structured approach to fingerprint identification, emphasizing the importance of understanding the specific details and their spatial relationships.

Other choices in the question reflect important figures and institutions in the field of forensic science but are not directly associated with the coining of this specific term. While Salil K. Chatterjee has made significant contributions to fingerprint analysis, he did not create the term itself. New Scotland Yard and FBI officials have played roles in law enforcement and investigative techniques but are not recognized for introducing the concept of ridgeology. Thus, the most accurate attribution of the term’s origin is to David Ashbaugh.