FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION

Researched and Presented by

PROF. MARIO C. ROSETE

NATIONAL TRAINER -FORENSIC SCIENCE
CENTRAL & NORTHERN LUZON
 DIFFERENT FINGERPRINT SYSTEMS:
 There are more than 50 Classification Systems
in the World.
1. Gasti System of Italy,
2. Pateer System of Holland
3. Vuccetich System of Argentina, and some
other systems used by other countries.
4. Henry System, NBI and FBI System with
Modification and Extension is used by the
Philippines.
STEPS IN CLASSIFYING FINGERPRINTS:
1. Filling Out and Recording
2. Interpretation of the Patterns – determining the
name of pattern.
3. Blocking out – putting/writing the name of
pattern on the space provided in the tenprint card.
4. Classification Proper
FINGERPRINT PATTERNS IN BLOCKS:
1. Plain Arch = A
2. Tented Arch = T
3. Radial Loop (Right Hand) = / (for loops in the index)
4. Radial Loop (Left Hand) = \ (for loops in the index)
5. Ulnar Loop (Right Hand) = \ (for loops in the index)
6. Ulnar Loop (Left Hand) = / (for loops in the index)
7. Plain Whorl = W
8. Central Pocket Loop Whorl = C
9. Double Loop Whorl = D
10. Accidental Whorl = X
ILLUSTRATION:

1 2 3 4 5
Ulnar Radial Central Accidental Tented
Loop Pocket Loop
Loop Whorl Arch
Whorl

U / C X T

6 7 8 9 10
Ulnar Radial Plain Plain Double
Loop Loop Whorl Arch Loop
Whorl
U \ W A D
 RULES ON Amp or FMB
1. If one finger is amputated or finger missing at birth, its
fingerprint pattern is based from the opposite finger
but its numerical value remains the same (see
example below.
Radial AMP (W)
Loop

AMP FMB (W)

(R)

2. If both fingers are amputated or fingers missing at

birth, their fingerprint patterns are considered whorls
(W) with their respective numerical values with
meeting tracing. (See example above)
THE SIX CLASSIFICATION GROUPS

1. The Primary Classification

2. The Secondary Classification

a. Capital Letter Group (ATRUWCDX)
b. Small Letter Group (atr)

3. The Sub-secondary Classification

4. The Major Classification
5. The Final Classification
6. The Key Classification
 Proper Placement of the 6 Divisions:

6 4 1 2 3 5
KC MC PC SC SSC FC

10 S 32 Watr 000 20
M 1 Tra 0I0 10
1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION (PC) = (all fingers)
This is the result of the summation of all the numerical values.
Nos. 16,16,8,8,4,4,2,2,1,1 = are the numerical values
Nos. 1,2,3-10 = are the standard sequence of fingerprints of a
person.
WHORLS = with numerical values
LOOPS AND ARCHES = Without numerical values
1 2 3 4 5

16 16 8 8 4

6 7 8 9 10

4 2 2 1 1
2. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION (SC)
The classification that makes use of the index fingers as
main finger to be represented by the capital letter group
and all other fingers to be represented by the small letter
group.
FINGERS INVOLVED:
Index Fingers = Main fingers
Four other fingers = to be classified using the
Small letter group
TWO GROUPS:
1. Capital letter Group =ATR UWC DX
2. Small Letter Group =atr
Rules for Secondary Classification

1. Indicate the type of fingerprint pattern of the

index fingers using their symbols in capital
letters.
3. The thumb, middle, ring and little fingers of both
hands having fingerprint pattern of ARCHES and
LOOPS constitute the small letter group to be
represented in small letters (a, t, r) written at
the adjacent of the index fingers of both hands.

4. When 2 or 3 of the same fingerprint appear, 2 or

3 as the case may be, preceding such pattern is
written. (Examples: 2R, 3R)
3. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION (SSC)
Index, Middle, & Ring = Fingers involved
ANSWER is placed at the right side of the
Secondary Classification.

KC MC PC SC SSC FC

10 S 32 W2a 000 20
S 1 aTra 0I0 10
Rules for Sub-secondary Classification (SSC):
A. Rules applied to loop patterns
1. INDEX FINGER: 1-9 ridge count = I (inner)
10 and above = 0 (outer)

2. MIDDLE FINGER: 1-10 ridge count = I (inner)

11 and above = 0 (outer)

3. RING FINGER: 1-13 ridge count = I (inner)

14 and above = 0 (outer)

B. Rules Applied to Whorl Patterns

1. Ridge count of 3 or more above the right delta ……………….. = I
2. Ridge count of 3 or more below the right delta ………. ……… = O
3. Ridge counts of 0,1,2 either above or below the right delta … = M

C. Arches are represented by dash (-).

4. MAJOR CLASSIFICATION (MC)
Thumbs of both hands shall be the ones to be
classified.
Loops are ridge counted.
Whorls are ridged traced.
Answer for Major Classification is placed at left side of
Primary Classification.

KC MC PC SC SSC FC

10 S 32 Watr 000 20
1 aTa 0I0 10
S
 Rules for Major Classification (MC):
A. LEFT THUMB RIGHT THUMB
1-11 = S 1-11 = s
12-16 = M
17 & above = L
12-16 = M 1-11 = S
12-16 = M
17 & above = L
17 and above = L 1-17 = S
18-22 = M
23 and above = L
B. Rules When the 2 THUMBS are Whorls (Use I.M.O)
1. Ridge count of 3 or more above the right delta ……………...…. = I
2. Ridge count of 3 or more below the right delta …………..…….. = O
3. Ridge counts of 0, 1, 2 either above or below the right delta …. = M
C. Arches are Represented by Small Dash (-)
5. FINAL CLASSIFICATION (FC)
Is the exhibition in a numerical figure of the ridge count of loops
and/or whorls from the two little fingers.
LITTLE FINGERS = Fingers involved

LOOPS = are ridge counted.

WHORLS = are ridge counted, treating them as loops for counting

purposes.

Answer is placed at the EXTREME RIGHT OF THE CLASSIFICATION

LINE.

KC MC PC SC SSC FC
10 S 32 Wa 000 20
S 1 aTra 0I0
10
6. KEY CLASSIFICATION (KC)
The classification that is derived by ridge counting the first loop in
a set of prints. The ridge-count of the first loop may come from the
right thumb or any other finger EXCEPT THE LITTLE FINGERS. If no
loop, look for the first whorl. If no loops and whorl, it shall be
represented by dash (-).

ALL FINGERS EXCEPT LITTLE FINGERS = the fingers

involved in KC.

ANSWER is placed ABOVE THE CLASSIFICATION LINE just LEFT side

of the MC.

KC MC PC SC SSC FC

10 S 32 Wa 000 20
S 1 aTra 0I0 10

Classification Line
 SUMMARY

KC MC PC SC SSC FC

Thumbs, Thumbs All fingers All fingers Index, Little

Index, Index Middle and Fingers
Middle & fingers are Ring
Ring the main
fingers