Fingerprint Patterns and Classification

OVERVIEW

Fingerprints- is an impression design by the ridges on the inside of the last

joint of the finger or thumb on any smooth surface through the media of an
ink, sweat or any regents capable of producing visibility. In most cases, it
appears to be semi-visible, having been made from sweat which requires
further development on order to make more legible.

To Do List

In order to successfully complete WEEK 9, please do the

following in sequential manner
1. READ: Module Resource in Fingerprint Patterns and
Classification
2. SUBMIT: the given module Activity at the end of this
module.

THE FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

A. The Fingerprint Patterns and Classification

1. Grouping of the fingerprint patterns:

In the study of the science of fingerprints, sometimes students become
confused as to the kinds and numbers of fingerprints patterns.

Initially, the Henry System had nine patterns, namely:

a. Plain Arch
b. Tented Arch
c. Exceptional Arch
d. Plain Loop
 e. Plain Whorl
f. Lateral Pocket Loop
g. Twinned Loop
h. Central Pocket Loop
i. Accidental Whorl

Later, the Loops were modified into ulnar and radial loops varying according
to the direction of the ulnar bone or the radius bone.

After gaining familiarity with these frictions’ designs, we have to know that
there are only three (3) general groups of pattern (A-L-W Family). Each
group or family bares the same characteristics or resemblance. This
patterns may be further subdivided. At present, there are eight (8) types of
fingerprint patterns on the Henry System with the modification made by the
FBI. The following are the list of the modified Henry Classification System:

They are as follows:

Arch (5%) Loop (60%) Whorl (35%)

Plain Arch Radial Loop Plain Whorl

Tented Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket Loop

Double Loop Whorl
Accidental Whorl

2. The Basics Fingerprints Pattern Types:

A. Arch
1. Plain Arch – is a pattern in which the ridges flows from one side to
the other or flows towards the without recurving, usually having a
slight upward curve in the center, making the pattern like an arch. It
has no core and no delta. Considered to the simplest type of pattern.

2. Tented Arch – is a type of pattern where majority of the ridges

form an arch. It only differs from the plain arch when one or more
ridges at the center shape a tent or make a rise giving the pattern
of a “tent”, giving an angle of 90 degrees or less, or one with an
up trust having an angle of 45 degree or more, or a pattern similar
to a loop but lacking one or two of its essential elements. Hence,
there are three (3) possible form of tented arch: (1) the uptrust
type, (2) the angle type, (3) the incomplete loop type pattern.

B. LOOP

It is a type of pattern in which one or more of the ridges enters on either

side of the impression, then turn or makes a recurve, passing or touching
an imaginary line drawn between the delta and core, then flow toward the
same side of the impression from where the ridges entered.

TWO DIVISION OF A LOOP PATTERN

The two division of a loop were based on the fact that every human being
has their forearm two large bones extending from the elbow to the wrist.
One is the radius bone or the inner bone of the forearm that runs to the wrist
 on the side where the thumb is located. The other one also running to the
wrist is located or situated on the little finger and this is the ulna bone.

Requisite of a loop pattern

a. It must have a delta

b. It must have a core
c. It must have a recurving ridge that passes between the delta and core.
d. It must have a ridge count of at least one

1. Radial Loop – is a loop in which the downward slope or the slanting ridges
run toward the direction of the thumb.

2. Ulnar Loop – this is a loop in which the slanting ridges run toward the
direction of the little finger. In other words, it is important to know from what
hands it was taken to differentiate a radial form an ulnar loop in the plain
impression.

C. WHORL

This refers to the pattern consisting of a core and two (2) or more deltas.
 1. Plain Whorl – is a pattern consisting of two deltas and at least one
ridge makes a turn through one complete circuit. An imaginary line
draw n between the two deltas must touch or cross at least one
of the re-curving ridges within the pattern area. The pattern area
could be a spiral, oval, circular or any variant of a circle: Elements
of Plain Whorl

a. A complete circuit
b. Two deltas
c. At least one circuiting ridge is touched or crossed by an
imaginary line traversing between the two deltas.

2. Central Pocket Loop Whorl – a pattern which posses two (2) deltas,
with one or more ridges forming a complete circuit which may be
oval, spiral, circular or any variant of a circle; or it is pattern
consisting of two deltas, with one or more recurving ridge with an
obstruction at right angle to the inner line of flow, between which
an imaginary line would touch or cross no recurving ridge within
the inner pattern area.

Elements of Central Pocket Loop Whorl

a. At least one recurving ridge or obstruction at right angle

b. Two deltas
c. No re-curving ridge within the pattern area is touched or
crossed by an imaginary line drawn between the two
deltas.
 3. Double Loop Whorl - this is a pattern consisting of two separate and
distinct loop formations, with set of shoulders and two deltas.

The loops do not necessarily have to be of the same

length and size.

Elements of Double Loop Whorl

a. Two separate loop formation

b. Two separate and distinct set shoulders
c. Two deltas

Types of core formation which are not included in the double loop
whorl:

1. The “S” type core

2. The interlocking type core
3. The formation of a loop inside another loop.
4. Accidental Whorl – this is a pattern consisting of a
combination of two different types of pattern such
as loop and a whorl, a loop and a central pocket
loop, or any combination of two different loop and
whorl type pattern; but it cannot be a combination
of a Plain Arch with any other pattern. It can have
two or more deltas.

Element of Accidental Whorl

a. Combination of two different type of pattern with the

exception of the plain arch
b. Two deltas
B. RIDGE CHARACTERISTIC

The five basics Ridge Characteristics

1. Bifurcation or Bifurcating ridges – is a single ridge that divides itself in two ridges
forming a “Y” shape formation or more branches. It is sometimes called a fork,
making its impression.

2. Dot or Series of Dots- they are fragmentary ridges formed like a dot or dots.

3. Short or Series of Short Ridges- they are fragmentary ridges formed by short or
series of short ridges.
4. Ridge Ending- it is a termination or ending of ridge or ridges.

5. Enclosure also known as Island, Lake or Eyelet – it is a single ridge which

bifurcates where the bifurcating ridges c onverge at a certain point to form again
into a single ridge. that divides into two branches and meets to form the original
ridge.

Other ridge Formation / Characteristics

6. Appendage – is a short ridge found at the top or at the summit of a re-curving ridge
usually at right angle.

7. Converging Ridges – two or more lines forming an angle, a ridge whose closed
end is angular and serves as a point of convergence.

- is a ridge formation characterized by a closed angular end and serves as a

point of convergence (meeting of tw o ridges that were previously running side by
side).
8. Diverging Ridge - two ridge that are flowing side by side and suddenly separating
or spreading apart.

9. Core- it is a point on in ridge formation usually located at the center or heart of a

pattern. It is the approximately center of the pattern.
10. Crease- are thin usually straight narrow white lines running transversely or formed
side to side, across of the divergence of the type lines.
11. Dissociated ridges- are usual ridge structures having no well defined patterns;
ridges are extremely short, appear like a series of patches caused by a disturbance
of developmental process at early fetal life of the individuals.
12. Delta or Triradial Point- in a point on the first ridge formation at or directly in front
near the center of the divergence of the type lines.
13. Envelop- is a single recurving ridge enclosing one or more rods or bar.
14. Fragmentary ridges – they consist of disconnected sequences of short ridges
embodied intensely. These are considered in the classification of fingerprints if
they appear as dark and as thick as the surrounded ridges within the pattern area.
15. Friction ridges- these are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of the fingers
and thumbs. They are also called papillary ridges or epidermal ridges.
16. Furrows- are depressions or canals between the ridges which maybe compared
with the low area in tired tread.
17. Puckering – a growth ceases at several ends, the ends curl slightly.
[Link] or Looping Ridge – is a kind of ridge formation that curves back in the
direction from which it started. It looks like a hairpin.

19. Ridge Bridge – this is connecting ridge between two ridges.

20. Ridge Hook – it is a ridge that divides to form two ridges which are shorter in length
than the main ridge.
21. Rod or Bar – is a short or long ridge found inside the innermost re-curving ridge of
a loop pattern.
22. Shoulder of a Loop – it is that point at which the recurving ridge definitely turns or
curves.
23. Spike – an ending ridge at the center of a pattern which forms the up thrust.
24. Staple – a single recurving ridge at the center of the pattern area.
25. Sufficient Re-curve – is a re-curving ridge complete in its shoulder and its free from
appendage.

26. Up thrust – is an ending ridge of any length rising at a sufficient degree from a
horizontal place.