DACTYLOSCOPY: SCIENCE OF FINGERPRINTS

Dr. Jezreel B. Vicente, CCS, CSP, CST, CSMS

Faculty - PhDCrim, MSCrim, BSCrim, & BFSci, University of Baguio
Facebook: Jezreel Vicente; Email: jezreel_vicente@yahoo.com
Mobile 0977-8877-300

DEFINITION OF TERMS
1. FINGERPRINT - an impression, designed by the ridges on the inside of the end joint of the fingers and thumb
on any smooth surface through the media of ink, sweat or any reagents capable of producing visibility.
2. DACTYLOSCOPY – the science that deals with the study of fingerprints as a means of personal identification that
involves manual comparison of fingerprints.
3. DACTYLOGRAPHY – the scientific study and analysis of fingerprints as a means of identification.
4. DACTYLOMANCY –the study of fingerprints for the purpose of interpreting one’s personality.

ORIGIN OF THE WORD “DACTYLOSCOPY”

Derived from two Greek words:
1. Dactyl- means finger
2. Skopein - means to study or
to examine.
RELATED SCIENCES WITH FINGERPRINT
1. Chiroscopy – science of palm print identification.
Derived from Greek words:
1. Cheir - means “a hand” and
2. Skopein - means “to examine.”
PATTERN ZONES OF PALMPRINT:

1. Thenar zone – the base of the thumb.

2. Hypothenar zone – the base of the little finger.
3. Palmar zone – base of the four fingers.
4. Carpal delta zone – near the wrist.

2. Podoscopy – footprints and footwear identification.

Derived from two Greek words:
1. Podo - means “the foot” and
2. Skopein - means “to examine.”

3. Poroscopy – study of the pore structure for the purpose of identification.

Derived from the Greek words:
1. poros - means “a pore” and
2. skopein - means “to examine.”
4. Edgeoscopy
Edges and shapes of the ridges.
This includes the study of:
1. endings,
2. puckering,
3. bifurcations

5. Ridgeology – combination of:

1. poroscopy
2. edgeoscopy
3. ridge characteristics.
Introduced by Sgt. David R. Ashbaugh (1946-present).
Title of Book “Quantitative-Qualitative Friction Ridge Analysis: An Introduction to Basic and Advanced
Ridgeology.”

6. Dermatoglyphics –study of the lines, tracings, ridges of the skin of fingers, palms and hands.
Derived from the words:
1. “derma” - means “skin” and
2. “glyphein” - means “to study”

FINGERPRINTS IN OTHER SPECIES

1. Koala - is one of the few mammals, native in Australia that has fingerprints.
2. Monkeys - have fingerprints which are almost the same with human beings. It is proven that fingerprints of
monkeys are mistakenly identified as human fingerprints.
 Friction, Epidermal or Papillary skin
1. It is an epidermal hairless skin on the ventral or lower surface of the hands and feet.
2. The strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs by which fingerprints are
made.
Friction Ridges are found on every Friction skin/epidermal skin/papillary skin.
Minutiae are friction ridges which are considerably minute in sizes such as delta, core, dot, short ridge, bifurcation, recurving
ridges, etc.

COMPONENTS OF THE FRICTION SKIN

1. Ridges – are hill like, elevated, appear as black lines with tiny white dots called pores in an inked impression.
2. Furrows – canal-like, depressed portions found between the ridges which appear white lines.
3. Pores (sometimes called islands) – are small opening found on skin and appear white on plain impression.
4. Sweat Duct – is a long-host like structure that serves as the passage way for the sweat.
5. Sweat Glands – produces sweat/perspiration.

DEVELOPMENT OF RIDGES
rd th
3 - 4 month – ridges start to develop
About 6 months - ridges are fully developed
• Fingerprints remain constant until during the decomposition stage of the skin of the corpse.
• Fingerprint size – may Change
• Ridge characteristics and pattern – Does not change

PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINT SCIENCE

1. Principle of Permanency (Constancy/Persistency)
States that fingerprints are unchanging or constant from birth until the decomposition of the body of the person.

2. Principle of Individuality
There are no two fingerprints that are exactly alike,”
Except if two fingerprints were taken from the same finger and the same person.
Two fingerprints maybe alike in its pattern or design but considering its minute characteristics, they differ.
Fingerprints of two persons can be similar but NOT Identical.
3. Principle of Infallibility
Fingerprinting is one of the most reliable means of personal identification.
Fingerprints cannot be forged.
DNA Fingerprinting is only applied to high profile and celebrated cases. It is also applied when fingerprinting is not
applicable (ex: when corpse is burned).

PHALANGES OF FINGERS
1. Terminal phalange/phalanx
– the end joint / tip of fingers.
2. Middle phalange/phalanx
– the middle portion of fingers.
3. Proximal Phalange/phalanx
– The base portion of fingers.
LAYERS OF SKIN
What is the innermost layer a human skin?
A. Subcutaneous layer
B. Dermis
C. Epidermis
D. None of the foregoing
1. Epidermal layer (Epidermis) – the outer layer.
Sub-layers:
a) Stratum Corneum – also known as corneus layer.
b) Stratum Mucosum – also known as transparent layer.
c) Stratum lucidum – also known as granucar layer.
d) Stratum granulosum – consists of 3-4 layers.
e) Stratum spinosum – also called Malpighian layer.
f) Stratum Basale – also called Generating Layer.
2. Dermal Papillae (Dermis) – the inner layer of the skin containing blood vessels, arrector pili muscles, sebaceous glands,
sweat glands and nerves. It is where the dermal papillae are found.
3. Subcutaneous layer (Hypodermis) – the innermost layer of skin that also contains blood vessels, connective tissue, nerves
 and fat lobules (a rounded division or projection of an organ or part in the body, especially in the lungs, brain, or liver).
LAYERS OF SKIN - SUMMARY
Outer Epidermal Epidermis
Inner Dermal Papillae Dermis
Innermost Subcutaneous Hypodermis
REASONS OF DESTRUCTION OF RIDGES
1. Manual works
2. Skin diseases (Warts )
3.  Burns
4.  Scars
Remember: If Dermis and/or Hypodermis is damaged, ridges maybe destroyed or deformed.
PERSONS WHO ATTEMPTED TO ERASE FINGERPRINTS
1. John Herbert Dillinger (1902-1934) – an American criminal who attempted to erase his fingerprints with the use of ACID,
committed crimes over a period of 13 months in 1933 and 1934.
• While in prison, Dillinger formed a gang, which included “Baby Face” Nelson and “Pretty Boy”
Floyd, both of whom were later killed in gun battles with law officers.
• The“public enemy number one” in the United States.
2. Roberts James Pitts - gained the fame as the “man without fingerprints” after knowing from an inmate of a possible
destruction of fingerprints.

He is known by name Roscoe Pitts.

3. Edmond Locard & Witkowsji
Performed painful experiments on themselves by burning their fingertips with boiling water and oil with hot metals to
find out whether it can destroy the ridges of a finger.
CLASSES OF LATENT PRINTS
1. Visible prints - are impressions made by fingers smeared with colored substance, such as blood, ink, grease, dirt or paint.
2. Semi-visible prints - are molded or plastic impressions. They are prints made in plastic materials such as soap, melted
candles, wax, tar, pitch, paraffin, putty, the adhesive gun on envelopes and postage stamps, and the like.
3. Invisible prints (TRUE LATENT PRINTS)- are the most common type of chance impressions.
FACTORS AFFECTING THE STABILITY OF
LATENT PRINTS
 
1. Climate/Climatic Condition – windy, sunny and wet seasons affects the stability of latent print.
2. Subject Factor – Degree of acidity.
3. Nature of the Surface – whether the surface is smooth or rough.
NO. OF RIDGE DETAILS FOR A FINGERPRINT TO BE ACCEPTED AS EVIDENCE
There are no international rules or laws setting the required no. of similarities of latent and suspect’s fingerprint.
Other countries set points of similarities:
a) England = 16 similarities
b) United States = 12 similarites
c) European Countries = 15 similarities
What about in the Philippines?
1. Educational background,
2. Training, and
3. Experience of the fingerprint examiner are more important than the number of ridge details.
Opinion - means, the result of the critical study and comparison by a fingerprint examiner.
Only the Judge – is authorized to declare whether a person is expert witness or an ordinary witness.

CASES INVOLVING FINGERPRINTS AS EVIDENCE

1. People vs. Jennings
The first authoritative case involving fingerprint as evidence in US which was decided by the Illinois Court in 1911.
Happened in Illinois, USA
Complete name of accused is Thomas Jennings

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

1. People of the Philippines vs. Medina
is the counterpart of the Jennings’ case in USA. This is the first leading judicial decision in the Philippine jurisprudence
in the science of fingerprinting.
Summary of the Case:
On February 12, 1932, at night, Mariano Medina breaks into and enters through the window of the house of James C.
Rockwell. Medina took several personal properties of Rockwell. One of the properties taken by Medina is a box, which
was discovered in the vicinity of the scene of the crime.
A Constabulary Officer named Agripine Ruiz, discovered a fingerprint in the surface of the box which was
compared to the fingerprints of the accused-Medina. It was found out that the Right Middle Finger of Medina matched
 with the latent print lifted from the silver box in 10 points. A case was filed against the defendant and was later on
convicted.

The Law of Multiplicity of Evidence

States that the greater the number of similarities or dissimilarities the greater the probability for the
conclusion to be correct.
The more similarities of ridges between the suspect’s print and latent print, establishes a POSITIVE result.

FINGERPRINT LIFTER
1. Fingerprint Tape – is the most commonly used in lifting latent fingerprints, measured usually at 1-2 inches.
2. Some are made up in sizes ranging from 1 x 1.5 to 4 x 4 inches, usually used to lift palm prints and group of fingerprints.
3. Others are made in sheets 4 x 9.5 inches, usually used to lift shoe and footwear prints.

KINDS OF FINGERPRINT POWDER

(Vinluan & Mendoza, 2006 p.195-222)
1. Black and White powder- most common in the Philippines, used by law enforcement agencies.
2. Aluminum powder- powderized aluminum of gray color.
3. Lycopodium powder - This is a yellowish in color powder of plant spore.
4. SP Black Powder- mixture of oxidizing iron and aluminum powder that is common in Japan.

METHODS OF DETECTING PRINTS

1. Dusting Method – is done with the use of fingerprint brush and powder by applying amount of powder that is lightly swept
on the suspected area to little by little reveal the print caused by the powder.
This is called as the “brush on” or “powder” method.
2. The Rolling Method (Rocking Method)
The powder is put on the suspected surface of a material/object. Then in slanting position, the material/object is rolled
slightly to attach powder in the fingerprint.

3. The Spray Method - The powder is put into an empty container specially designed for spraying.
Suspected areas where fingerprints are suspected to be present are sprayed to let latent print appear.
4. The Transplant Method
The latent print is powdered and lifted ready to be pasted to a paper with opposite color from that of the color of powder
used.
The principle of contrast shall always be applied.
5. The Restoration Method-
Stain fingerprint sampling process are wiped with:
1. fabric absorbing thinning scientific cleansing agent;
2. water absorbing fabric:
3. then wipe with a dried fabric.
6. Kromekote Lift Technique
Provides the forensic science technician with an inexpensive and practical technique for recovering latent fingerprints
from human skin.
The Kromekote Card is used to lift latent print in 2-3 seconds. It is done by lifting from one side while pressing the other
side.

CHEMICAL METHODS
OF DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS
…CHEMICAL METHODS
1. Ninhydrin solution (destroys writings)
This is used to detect latent prints on absorbent materials, white wood, blood stained fingerprint, paper wrapping of
cigarette stick, etc.
2. Ninhydrin Petroleum Benzine Solution
This is applied on printed materials. The advantage of this method is the non destruction of written letters made by
“ballpen” and other ink.
• Ninhydrin Method Procedure
3. Tetramethyl Benzedrine Method (with chemical formula of C H oN ) – With this method, the invisible amount of blood
16 2 2
stained fingerprints can be detected. Fingerprint on kitchen knife, and other blades used as weapon, effectively detected.
Preparation:
Solution A – 100 ml Ethanol consist of 0.5 ml of TMB powder solution
Solution B – Ethanol added to the same amount of distilled water, and 30% peroxide mixed up in 9:1 ratio.
4. Neo SPWA Method – This was invented by Nobuo Yamauchi, a Japanese Fingerprint Expert, who authored a book entitled
“Fingerprints Identifications.” This is method is applied on wet surfaces (plastic bag, metal product, plastic product,
vehicle body, bathroom tiles, weekly magazine cover, glass product, smooth surface with no water absorbent), adherent
surface of adhesive tape, the magnetic card and crappy plastic bag.
 • Method of preparation: Few drops of Isopropyl alcohol (70% alcohol content) added to 1 gram of black
powder. Add 7 – 10 ml of water and mix well.
• Method of use: Dip brush on the reagent and brush it over the suspected surface. Leave for 30 seconds and
wash away excess powder. When prints are detected, photograph it.
• Procedure:
• Before starting to work on the suspected area, take a photograph to record the original
appearance.
• Apply solution A using a brush, then solution B after it dries.
• If there is an existing blood stained fingerprint, it will turn into blue green color.
Photograph such print.
3. Victoria Pure Blue Method – This is used to detect latent prints on leaves, scotch tape, and masking tape.

• Preparation: 1 gram of Victoria pure blue mix with 1 liter of ordinary water to make 0.1% of Victoria pure
blue solution.
• Procedure: Dip or soak the suspected object in a tray containing the solution for 30 seconds to one minute
and observe how the prints appears, then wash it with water. Photograph the developed print. The developed print can
remain for several months and years depending on its preservation.
• Victoria Pure Blue / Dying Method

4. Emulgen Black.
Used to develop latent prints on Glass, plastics, tin cans, metals, smooth surfaces of cars, door knobs, etc.
Can be used on wet surfaces.

GAS METHOD
1. Super Glue / Cyanoacrelate Method
The cyano bond’s brand name in the Philippines is mighty bond.
• This is applicable to metals, plastic/synthetic resin, painted wood or metal, leather products, adhesive tape
(adherence surface side, not the sticky side), glossy – paper.
• Gas Method / Superglue Method

STEPS IN LATENT FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION

Code: R-I-I-R
1. Recognition – This includes processing of latent prints in the crime scene, preliminary screening, photography
and lifting of the prints.
2. Identification – includes laboratory processing, enhancement, comparison of known and unknown prints.
3. Individualization – includes the method of matching the prints for identification purposes followed by
evaluation.
4. Reconstruction – this will be done if there was non-matching of prints. The condition and position should be
identified and the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) may be used.
STEPS IN FINGERPRINT EXAMINATION
Introduced by Sgt. Asbaugh
Code: ACE-V
1. Analysis – general patterns and name of Specific patterns are identified.
2. Comparison – ridge details of the fingerprints are being compared.
3. Evaluation – The making of a conclusion whether the latent print and fingerprint of suspect are the same.
4. Verification – The opinion of an examiner should be verified by 1-2 examiner/s.

The AFIS of PNP

1. Turned over by the Japanese Gov’t thru JICA to the PNP on May 24, 2005.
2. This is a grant aid project amounting to 975M Yen (approx Php 487.5M).
3. Has a current entry of more than 516,950 records (both criminal and non-criminal)
4. The PNP Regional CLOs submit ten print cards to the NHQ and are being scanned to form part the database
of the AFIS.
5. Encoding is the duty of the NHQ-Camp Crame, QC.
6. Candidate List contains the first 20, second 10, third 5.
7. AFIS is a tool used by the Fingerprint Technician.

RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS

Type lines
1. The two outermost ridges which tend to surround the pattern area.
2. The basic boundaries of most fingerprint patterns.
3. The skeleton of each pattern.
Pattern Area
1. The area surrounded by the typelines.
2. The area of a loop or whorl which contains the ridge details.
3. It is the area inside the type lines and the only part of a fingerprint which is of importance in regard
to interpretation and classification.
Delta (also known as outer terminus and tri-radius)
• Found at, in front an/or near the point of divergence.
• The word delta is an old Greek word, and is the fourth letter of the Greek alphabet.
Point of Divergence (also known as Area of Divergence)
The area where delta can be found inside the two diverging ridges.
Diverging Ridges
Are two ridges running side by side and suddenly separating, one ridge going one way and the other
ridge going another way.
Core (also known as inner terminus)
1. The heart of the pattern.
2. The approximate center of the pattern
Rod/ Bar
A single ending ridge located inside the innermost sufficient recurve in a loop pattern.
Recurving Ridges (also known as looping ridges)
The ridges that curve back from which it started in the horizontal baseline.
Shoulders of a Loop
The two points where the looping ridge start and ends its curve.
Sufficient Recurve
Located at the top or closed end of a recurving ridge between the two shoulders.
Furrows
 the depression or canals between the ridges which maybe compared with the low area.
 Furrows are part of the skin surface that is not inked during recording of fingerprints.
Bifurcating Ridge
• A single ridge which splits into two ridges, forming a Y shape structure. It is referred to as a fork.
Trifurcating ridges
• is a friction ridge that divides into three friction ridges.
Opposed bifurcation
• are two bifurcations located at both ends of a single ridge.
Series of Bifurcations – appear in tandem or group.
Spur or hook ridge
• A bifurcation with one short ridge branching off a longer ridge.
Converging ridge
• A ridge formation whose closed end is angular and serves as a point of convergence, usually pointed and
abrupt.
Puckering Ridge
• A kind of ridge that appears curly, irregular in appearance and growth ceases at several ends.
Appendage or Abutment
• A short ridge that spoils the sufficiency of a recurve located at the top or summit of a recurve usually at right
angle.
Staple
• a single recurving ridge on the center of the pattern area. It can be located along the looping ridges.
Crossover or Bridge ridge
• A ridge that connects atleast two ridges. It must have crossed and connected two ridges.
Spike
• is also known as rod or bar that appears inside the innermost sufficient recurve (Fingerprint Training
Manual).
Fragment
• a ridge of extremely short in length not more than 3 millimeters.
Short ridge
• a ridge that is insufficient or limited in length other than the fragment.
Series of Short Ridges
• A group of short ridges found inside a pattern area. These ridges could appear also as broken short ridges
between well-formed ridges.
 Upthrust – the ending of a ridge that rose sufficiently from the horizontal baseline.
Dot Ridge
• Any dot or point that can be observed inside a fingerprint pattern.
Series of dot ridges or Row of dots
• The group of dots as printed inside a pattern area.
Ridge Ending
•
• an abrupt end of any ridge formation.
Island, Lake, Eyelet
• Refers to a formation of ridge that forms a lake-like smaller in size than the enclosure.
Enclosure
• A bifurcation which does not remain open but in the legs of the bifurcation, after running alongside for a short
distance, come together to form a single ridge once more.
Envelop
• A single recurving ridge enclosing one or more bars, short or dot ridge.
Incipient Ridges ( or Nascent ridges)
• NOT counted because they are only the result of dirts, dirty fingerprint paraphernalia and other factors, found
between two well formed ridges.
Dissociated Ridges
• NOT counted. Appears like patches and has no no well defined pattern.
Creases
• They are caused mainly by minor surface damage, work and tear or advanced of age.

DELTA & CORE; RIDGE COUNTING & TRACING

DELTA (outer terminus/ tri-radius)

The point on the first ridge formation found at or directly in front of the divergence of the type lines.
– The word delta is an old Greek word, and is the 4th letter of the Greek alphabet.
– Originally refers to a “deposit of earth at the mouth of a river”.
– Delta is also known as outer terminus and tri-radius.
SIX DELTA FORMATIONS:
1. Bifurcation
2. Dot
3. Meeting of two ridges
4. Looping ridge (where no other choice of delta)
5. Ending ridge
6. Starting ridge
CORE (inner terminus)
Located at the approximate center or heart of the pattern.
Explanation: When the core is referred as the center of heart of a pattern, it does not mean that it is the exact
central point of the fingerprint impression because there are numerous ridge details outside of the type lines which are
not considered in pattern interpretation.
8 RULES IN LOCATING DELTA

RULE 1 – The bifurcation that is open towards the core is chosen as the delta.
RULE 2. If the bifurcation does not open towards the core, the ending point of the bifurcation nearest to the core is chosen as
the delta.

RULE 3 – When there is a choice between a bifurcation and another type of delta, the bifurcation is chosen as the delta.
RULE 4 – When there is a choice between two or more possible deltas (except bifurcation), the delta nearest to the core is
chosen.

RULE 5 – When there is a series of bifurcations that open towards the core at the point of divergence, the bifurcation nearest
to the core is chosen as the delta.
RULE 6 – If a ridge enters the pattern area, where no other choice of delta, the starting point of the ridge is chosen as the
delta.
RULE 7. If a ridge enters the pattern area from outside, and no other choice of delta, the ending point of the ridge is chosen as
the delta.
RULE 8. If there is no visible ridge that may be chosen as delta, the looping ridge or whorl ridge infront of the area of
divergence maybe chosen as the delta.
 RULES IN LOCATING CORE

RULE 1 – If the innermost sufficient recurve does not contain any rod or bar, the core is placed on the shoulder of the loop
farther from the delta.
RULE 2 – If the innermost sufficient recurve contains odd number of rods/bars rising as high as the shoulders, the core is
placed upon the summit of the center rod, whether it touches the looping ridges or not.
RULE 3 – If the innermost sufficient recurve contains even number of rods/bars rising as high as the shoulders, the core is
placed upon the summit of the farther one of the two center rods.
RULE 4 – If the pattern is a whorl, it is a possibility that there could be two or more deltas. Most whorls, houses the core/s in
its center.

RIDGE COUNTING

Ridge Counting – is the process of counting the ridges that touch or cross an imaginary line drawn between the core and the
delta of a loop pattern.
Rules
1. In a loop fingerprint pattern, locate the delta and core.
2. Draw an imaginary line between the core and delta.
3. Count all ridges which touch or cross the imaginary line drawn between the core and delta.
4. Incipient ridges, puckering, dissociated and creases are NOT counted.
5. Fragments and dot ridges are counted as ridges only if they appear as thick as the surrounding ridges.
6. DO NOT include in your counting the delta and core.
RIDGES SUBJECT TO RIDGE COUNTING
(Depending on the travel of imaginary line)
3 RIDGE COUNT
1. Envelop
2. trifurcation
2 RIDGE COUNT
1. An island/lake/eye, and enclosure.
2. Criss-crossing of ridges
3. Bifurcation
4. Converging ridge
1 RIDGE COUNT
1. A short ridge, long ridge, dot ridge,
2. An abrupt ending of ridges is given one ridge count.
3. Ridge that bifurcates
RIDGE TRACING  
Ridge Tracing
The process of tracing the ridges intervening between the tracing ridge (flows from the left delta to the right delta) and
the right delta.
Rules
1. In a whorl pattern, look for the left delta and trace towards the front of the right delta.
2. When the ridge being traced abruptly ends, drop to the next ridge just below the original tracing ridge and
continue the tracing until it reaches the point nearest to the right delta.
3. When the left delta is a dot, the same procedure in No. 1 shall be followed.
4. When the ridge that is being traced is a bifurcation, always follow the lower branch until tracing is completed.
5. Determine whether the tracing ridge flows inside (above) or outside (below) the right delta.
6. Draw and imaginary line between the tracing ridge (refers to the left delta that was moved towards the right
delta) and the right delta and count the intervening ridge that touch or cross it.
7. Exclude the tracing ridge and deltas when counting the intervening ridges.
TYPES OF WHORL TRACING
1. Inner whorl (I) – result is 3 or more ridge count above or inside the right delta.
2. Outer Whorl (O) - result is 3 or more ridge count below or outside the right delta.
3. Meeting whorl (M) – the ridge count is 0, 1, 2 either below or above the right delta.

FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

CATEGORIES /FAMILIES/ GENERAL PATTERN TYPES OF FINGERPRINTS:

Family of loop – 60% frequency.

Family of whorl - 35% frequency.

Family of arch - 5% frequency.

LOOP PATTERNS FREQUENCY:

Radial Loop – 6%.
Ulnar Loop – 94%.

ARCH PATTERNS FREQUENCY:

Plain Arch – 60%.
Tented Arch – 40%.

WHORL PATTERNS FREQUENCY:

Plain Whorl - 71%.
Central Pocket Loop Whorl - 13%.
Double Loop Whorl - 13%.
Accidental Whorl - 3%.

The 8 Fingerprint Patterns

Plain arch (A) - a pattern in which the ridges enter on one side of the pattern then flow toward the other side, with a rise
at the center.

The simplest of all pattens.

2. Tented arch (T) - a fingerprint pattern where majority of the ridges form an arch and one or more ridges at the center
shape a tent in outline giving an angle of 90 degrees or less or one with an upward thrust having an angle of 45% or
more, or a pattern similar to a loop but lacking one or two of its essential elements.
\
Considered “Transitional Pattern.”

3. Radial Loop (R) - a fingerprint pattern that has a downward slope or slanting of the ridges towards the direction of
the thumb either to the right or left hand.

4. Ulnar Loop (U) - a fingerprint pattern where the direction of the ridges flows towards the little finger side of either
right or left hand. The term Ulnar came from the Greek term “Ulna” which means little finger bone.

REQUISITES OF A LOOP:
It must have a delta;
It must have a core;
It must have a recurving ridge that passes between the core and delta; and
It must have ridge count of atleast one.

OTHER TYPES OF LOOP:

Plain Loop – the ridges in this pattern make a backward turn arranging themselves in the form of a hairpin or staple.

Converging Loops – the ridges of this pattern converge sharply to give the pattern a possible whorl like appearance.

Nutant Loop – the ridges of this pattern conform to the explanation of the plain loop but additionally the looping ridges
bent over and drops towards the delta.

5. Plain Whorl (W) – a fingerprint pattern consisting of two deltas and in which at least one ridge makes a turn through
one complete circuit of 360 degrees.

Two Types:
Elongated or Oval whorl
Spiral or Circular whorl

REQUISITES OF PLAIN WHORL:

It must have a complete circuit;
It must have atleast two deltas; and
Atleast one circuiting ridge is touched or crossed by an imaginary line traversing the two deltas.
6. Central Pocket Loop Whorl (C)
a fingerprint pattern which possesses two deltas, with one or more ridges forming a complete circuit which
may be oval, spiral, circular, or any variant of a circle.

Sometimes called a composite pattern.

Means, there are two patterns in one, a whorl inside loop.

REQUISITES OF
CENTRAL POCKET LOOP WHORL
There must be atleast one recurving ridge that rises at right angle.
It must have atleast two deltas
There must be no whorl ridge that touches the imaginary line drawn between the two deltas.

7. Double Loop Whorl (D)

A fingerprint pattern consisting of two separate and distinct loop formations with two sets of shoulders, and
two deltas.

Also called Composite Pattern.

TYPES OF DOUBLE LOOP WHORL:

“S” type pattern – a double loop formation where ridges form two loops forms letter “S”

Interlocking type pattern – a double loop pattern that are formed opposite from each other with interlocking ridges.

Twinned loop type pattern – a double loop pattern that possesses two well defined loops where ridges embraced each
other.

REQUISITES OF DOUBLE LOOP WHORL:

There must be two separate loop formations

There must be two separate and distinct sets of shoulders
There must be two or more cores and deltas.

8. Accidental Whorl (X) – a fingerprint pattern consisting of a combination of two different patterns such as:
A combination of a loop and any whorl
But it cannot be the combination of an arch with any other pattern.

Related Terms

Questionable Pattern – refers to fingerprint patterns that don’t coincide with the description of the 8 standard patterns.

Charred Pattern – is the pattern that is smudged and not clear.

SUMMARY OF TOPICS
Categories of fingerprints are: Loops; Whorls; Arches
Ulnar loop- towards the little finger side.
Radial Loop – towards the thumb side.
Plain arch – most simple of all patterns
Tented arch – transitional pattern
Composite patterns are: double loop whorl; central pocket loop whorl and accidental whorl.

RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

How to Record Fingerprints

RECORDING FINGERPRINTS
In relation to Dactyloscopy, a normal person has 8 fingers & 2 thumbs.

When there is the appearance of extra fingers of a person, the case is anatomically known as Polydactylism.

While the extra digits or fingers are called Supernumeraries.

ITEMS THAT MAKE UP A FINGERPRINT KIT

Ink roller – spreads ink.

Ink slab – ¼ inch thick and 6 or more inches long.
3. Card holder – clips the fingerprint card.
4. Fingerprint ink – for fingerprint recording

5. Magnifying glass – used in examining developed latent prints. A 3-inch wide reading glass is required.

kinds of magnifying glass:

Linen tester – has an opening one inch square, with fixed focus.
Bausch and Lomb magnifier – also known as “Horse shoe magnifier.”
Hand lens – used in examining developed print.

6. Fingerprint powder – are specially manufactured.

7. Fingerprint brushes – appear in various designs

8. Fingerprint lifting tapes – different sizes

9. Latent fingerprint transfer cards – strips of fingerprint card.

10. Fingerprint card – 8x8 card.

11. Flash light – a very useful device for searching prints.

12. Ruler or tape measure – measurements

13. Pair of forceps – used in picking up objects

14. Graph paper – used for sketching purposes to indicate proper locations and measurements of objects in the crime
scene.

15. Evidence identification tape or tag – used to properly identify objects or physical evidence gathered from the crime
scene.

16. Scissors – used in cutting fingerprint tapes and for other purposes.

17. Rubber gloves – used primarily to avoid the technician to leave his own fingerprints in the object being collected or
examined.

18. Post-mortem fingerprinting equipment – contains hypodermic syringe, spoon, tissue builder solvent, tissue cleaner,
etc.

19. Carrying case – a box-like structure or an attaché type.

20. Inkless inking device – a porelon pad, sensitized fingerprint cards that is used to record fingerprints even without
staining the fingers.

Materials needed in recording fingerprints:

Fingerprint ink
Fingerprint roller
Fingerprint slab
Fingerprint card
Fingerprint card holder

KINDS OF FINGERPRINT IMPRESSIONS

Rolled impression is one made by rolling an inked finger from one side of the finger nail to the other.

Plain impression is one made by pressing an inked finger directly down upon a fingerprint card without any rolling
motion.

TYPES OF FINGERPRINT CARD

Criminal Fingerprint Card - used to record fingerprints of suspects and criminals.

Civilian Fingerprint Card - used in recording fingerprints of a civilian for various purposes such as requirement for
employment, clearance, etc..

PROCEDURE IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

Wash hands of subject with soap and water.

Filling-out by the person to be fingerprinted
3. Make sure that all needed materials are ready.
4. Clean the needed materials
5. Ink and spread ink on the slab.
6. Allow the ink on the plate to spin in the air.
7. Test the amount of ink on the slab.

8. Print the fingerprints of the subject

Perspiring heavily? Use dry cloth and Alcohol.
Dry and hard? Apply Lotion and Massage
Tell the subject not to help you.

9. Place the inked glass slab near the edge of the table, at extreme left.

10. Place the fingerprint card in the card holder, which is to the right of the inking plate. The first row of five squares is
properly aligned to the aperture of the card holder lid.

11. Ink and print the ten fingers following the sequence presented in the table.

MANNER OF INKING AND PRINTING :

Thumbs - rolled towards the subject’s body (inward).

Four other fingers - rolled away from the subject’(outward)

The rolling of fingers should be done 180 degrees.

Print the 2 thumbs in the box provided below the fingerprint card (no rolling motion)

Print the 4 other fingers (the right and left index, middle, ring and little fingers) simultaneously in the space provided
below the fingerprint card (no rolling motion).

Say thank you to the subject for his/her participation.

QUALITY CHECKLIST OF RECORDED FINGERPRINTS

1. Is there a fingerprint impression in each finger block?

2. Were the fingerprints rolled fully, from nail to nail?
3. In every pattern, are the delta and core present?
4. Are the fingerprint impressions clear and distinct?
5. Are the fingerprint impressions uniform in tone and not too dark or light?
7. Are the rolled impressions in the correct finger blocks when compared to the plain impressions below?

COMMON ERRORS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

Use of insufficient or too much ink.

The materials were not cleaned before use

The prints were not rolled properly.

The “up and down portion” of the terminal phalange are not properly inked and recorded.

IMPORTANCE OF FINGERPRINT
Issuance of passport
Conferring of educational degrees
Employment in various agencies
Bank Transactions
Examinations
Insurance Claims
Wills and Inheritance Claims
Lying-in hospitals and maternity homes
Monitoring and checking of attendance

SPECIAL CONDITIONS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS

Amputated (Amp) or Finger missing at birth (FMB)

Write “Amp” or FMB at the upper right corner of the block.

2. Bandaged Finger Due to Injury

Write “bandaged” on the plain impression NOT at the block.

3. Presence of scar
Write the word “ scarred” on the plain impression.

4. Presence of deformities on fingers

Make use of Spatula and Spoon in recording the prints.

5. Partly amputated
By all means, print the remaining, then write partly amputated on the plain impression.

6. Two thumbs at the same hand

Ignore the outermost thumb and record the 5 fingers. At the back record the prints of the outermost thumb and
make a note.

7. Extra little finger at the same hand

Ignore the outermost little finger. Begin recording from the thumb. Record the print of the outermost little
finger at the back of the card and make a note.

8. Extra finger appear anywhere between any of the fingers

Record the prints of the fully-formed and normal fingers, but record also the print of the extra finger which is
NOT fully formed at the back of the card with notation.

9. A hand has six fully formed fingers.

Begin recording prints from the thumb, then record any left-over finger at the back of the card.

10. Split thumb

Print it in the usual manner and make a note on the plain impression below.

11. Two or more normal fingers joined or webbed by thin membrane of skin

Right hand fingers are recorded in plain impressions.

Left hand fingers are recorded with great precautions.

12. WORN FINGERPRINTS

A technique known as "milking the fingers" can be used to raise the fingerprints prior to fingerprinting.
In a situation of dry, flaky fingers, simply add a small amount of hand lotion or ridge builder prior to fingerprinting.
The technique involves applying pressure or rubbing the fingers in a downward motion from palm to fingertip.

13. FINGERPRINTING OLD-AGED PERSON

Remedies:
First, use just a little more ink.

Second, use a lighter pressure.

Hand lotion rubbed into the finger tips of aged persons is helpful.

14. Fingerprinting people suffering from arthritis and rheumatism

This situation presents problems because it is difficult, sometimes impossible, to bend their fingers.

There is also a bone condition known as ankylosi in which the finger joints cannot be bent.

The procedure in printing these special conditions is quite similar to that employed for printing the dead
person.

POSTMORTEM FINGERPRINTING:
The process of recording the fingerprints of a dead person.

PROCEDURE IN TAKING THE FINGERPRINTS OF A DEAD PERSON

The ink is rolled on a glass slab, and then the slab is rolled around each of the deceased’s extended fingers, instead of
rolling the fingers on the slab.

The fingerprint card is then rolled around each of the inked fingers, making sure that each digit is recorded in the
correct square. The plain impressions are taken by pressing the fingerprint card against the extended digits without any
rolling.

Next, with a pair of scissors, a standard fingerprint card is cut up into pieces. Each of the ten finger blocks is cut out,
and also each of the three areas for plain prints, one for the right hand plain fingerprints, one for those of the left hand,
and one for the two plain impressions of the thumbs.

If the finger blocks do not have printed numbers from 1 to 10 showing the sequence of the fingers, it would be wise for
the operator to number them himself so he will not get the sequence of the rolled impressions mixed up.

Record other important information about the dead person.

PROBLEMS IN RECORDING FINGERPRINTS OF A CORPSE

1. The fingers are clenched (tight hold)

Use finger strengtheners if possible before recording fingerprints.

2. The fingers are shriveled or shrunken

With the use of hypodermic needle, the finger tips may be “blown up” with a solution of 1 part hot gelatin and
7 parts glycerin can be injected.

3. The finger skin is shredding

Ten clean small bottles with labels
A quantity of formalin

PERSONALITIES & HISTORY

Emperor Te’in Shi (BC 246-210)

The first Chinese ruler who devised a seal carved from white jade.

Hua Chi = fingerprint.

Lo = arches and whorls
Ki = Loops.
 For the Chinese, loops are look upon as presages of good luck.

AZTECS – tribe in Mexico that has tradition of printing their palm in mud to be placed in their tombs.

David Hepburn (1895)

Published a paper entitled:
“The papillary ridges on the hands and feet of monkeys and men” when he was connected with the University
of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Murder in the Tea Garden of Eden (India)

A man was killed with his throat cut in the Tea Garden of Eden in 1897.

The suspect was the ex-servant of the deceased.

Police Officer Edward Richard Henry eventually found a book with two bloodstain prints which were
preserved and examined led to his conviction (Vinluan & Mendoza, 2006 p. 7).

Dr. Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712)

Published a report on Ridges and Pores before the Royal Society of London in 1684.

Published a thesis entitled:

“Philosophical Transaction”
– ridges and pores found on epidermal skin.

Govard (Govert) Bidloo (1685)

He described the arrangement of skin ridges, pores on thumbs. His thesis was entitled “Anatomia Humani
Corporis” (Anatomy of Humane Bodies).

Hintze (1751)
A German who made several writings about Ridge Formations.

Bernhardus Albinus (1764)

Another German Physician who made study similar with those conducted by Hintze. His study was on ridge
formations and characteristics of pores.

Dr. Marcello Malpighi (1628-1694)

An Italian professor who studied his observations on skin, pores and ridges in 1856.

The “Grandfather of fingerprints.”

Published a book entitled “De Externo Tactus Organo.”

He gave the terms “loops and spirals”.

He named a skin layer “Malpighian Layer.”

The Londonderry Agreement (1691)

This traditional law created in 1691 in London, England.

It requires both party to impress their thumb prints on a document that contains the agreement and conditions.

Thomas Bewick (1753-1828)

A Finest engraver who made fingerprints stamps in England.

An author of books. Two of his books contain the phrase- “Thomas Bewick, His Mark” with his fingerprints
engraved.

Dr. J.C.A. Mayer (1788)

A German who authored a book entitled “Anatomische Kupfertafein Nebst Dazu Gehorigen.”
 Strengthened the “Principle of Individuality”

He said “There are no two fingerprints of different individuals that are exactly the same.”

Herman Welcker
He recorded his palm print in 1856.
He again recorded again his palm print in 1897.
Then he made observation on the two prints (41 yrs apart)
He strengthened the “Principle of Permanency”

Johannes Evangelista Purkinje (1787-1869)

A Czechoslovakian professor of the University of Breslau, Germany, known as the Father of Dactyloscopy

Title of thesis:
Commentatio de examine physiologico organi visus et systematis cutanei” (A commentary of the physiological
examination of the organs of visions and the cutaneous system). Published on December 22, 1823.

In this thesis, he named 9 fingerprint patterns and laid down classification rules.

William James Herschel (1833-1917)

The Chief Administrator - Hoogly District of Bengal, India.

He required the laborers (mostly Indians) to be fingerprinted/palmprinted inorder to prevent impersonations.

In 1916, he published his 41-page book entitled “The Origin of Fingerprinting.”

Dr. Henry Faulds (1843-1930)

A Surgeon-Superintendent of Tsukiji Hospital in Tokyo, Japan.

He made series of writings about fingerprints in 1877. One of his articles was “On the skin furrows of the
hand.”

Edward Foster (1863-1956)

A Canadian constable of the Dominion Police who attended the World’s Fair to guard a display of gold.

He suggested that fingerprint system would be more effective than Bertillon System.

FIRST CONVICTION IN U.S.A.

People vs Jennings

In 1911 the Illinois Police Department arrested a man named Thomas Jennings for murder.

The evidence against Jennings was slim except for fingerprint evidence.

The prosecution wanted to ensure the fingerprint evidence would be admitted before the Illinois Supreme Court.

FIRST CONVICTION IN CANADA

People vs. Caracath & Parachique

It was Edward Foster who gave expert opinion to the first conviction in Canada based on fingerprint evidence which
took place in 1914.

The fingerprints from the scene matched with suspects: Peter Caracath and Gregory Parachique who broke into the
CPR Station in Petawawa, Ontario.

They left fingerprints on glass at the point of entry that was used for their identification.

THOMAS TAYLOR (1877)

Is a Microscopist of the Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.

He made a formal letter to the Washington Police Department and suggested that crime can be resolved with the latent
prints from the crime scene.
Isaiah West Taber (1880)
A photographer in San Francisco.

He suggested that fingerprinting should be adopted for the registration of Chinese immigrant laborers in Northern
America.

Alphonse Bertillon (1882)

A French Criminologist and Clerk of Prefecture of Police at Paris, France.

The Father of Personal Identification.

He founded Bertillon System (1879):

Anthropometry,
Antropoligical Signalment,
Bertlillonage,
Signalement Antropometrique

…Bertillon System
Historically, the Bertillon System was questioned due to the famous “West Case”.

This is all about two persons - Will West (committed a crime) and William West (jailed).

These identical twins have the same face, height, body built and color of skin that a mistake of identity was committed
using the Bertillon System.

Belper Committee (1900)

Created by Lord Belper to investigate Bertillon System’s mistakes in identifying suspects (West Case).

Decided to adopt Henry System.

Edward Richard Henry was appointed by the committee as Assistant Commissioner of London Metropolitan Police.

Gilbert Thompson (1882)

A Geologist of United States Geologic Survey Camp.

Beginning in 1882, he used his Thumbprints to attest the genuiness of the camp orders issued by him for the expeditions
to New Mexico and states of US.

He also put his thumbprint on receipts issued by him. The first receipt which was marked with his thumbprints was in the
amount of 75 dollars.

Arthur Kollman (1883)

One of the first researchers to address the formation of friction ridges in embryos.

Francis Galton (1822-1911)

A British Anthropologist who was engaged in biological studies with the aid of the works of William J. Herschel.

In 1892, wrote his first book entitled “Fingerprints.”

Named groups of patterns: Arches; Whorls & Loops

Juan Vucetich (1891-1892)

An Argentine Fingerprint Pioneer and a police officer of Argentina who devised the Vucetich System.

Vucetich System is mostly used at the Spanish – speaking countries of Central and South America.

Samuel L. Clemens
(a.k.a Mark Twain,1894)

An American author and lecturer, who wrote the:

Pudd’n Head Wilson – in this novel story, bloody fingerprint was found in the murder weapon in the crime scene. In
order to identify the suspect, the Defense attorney let the whole town fingerprinted.

Life on the Mississippi – fingerprint was used in the resolution of a murder case.

Edward Richard Henry (1859-1931)

The successor of Sir Herschel and Galton.

In 1900 he published his book entitled “Classification and Uses of Fingerprint”.

Because of his contributions to police service and his persistence in devising a workable system of classification, he
became the Father of Modern Fingerprint.

Khan Bahadur Azizul Haque &

Rai Hem Chandra Bose (1897)

The Indian fingerprint experts who helped ERH in coming up with Henry System.

The system became a success with the assistance of Certain Mathematics Professor at Presidency College in Calcutta,
India.

June 12, 1897 – India adopted Henry System for identification of Suspects and criminals as well as
classification of prints. 

Dr. Henry P. DeForrest (1902)

Chief, New York Civil Service Commission (NY-CSC)

Installed a fingerprint system in the Civil Service Commission.

Note: Later adopted by the Philippine CSC in the 20th Century to stop impersonation of taking CSC Examinations.

Capt. James I. Parke (1903)

He installed a fingerprint system in the New York State Prison (Albany, New York).

Sgt. John Kenneth Perrier (1904)

A Scotland Yard Police who was assigned to guard the British Crown Jewels during the World Fair
Exposition/Exhibit. He was a student of Henry and later became Instructor at St. Louis Police Department (Missouri,
USA).

Maj. R. Mccloughry (1904)

He was the Warden of the Federal Penitentiary of Leavenworth when the Office of the Attorney General of the
US granted permission to establish a Fingerprint Bureau on Nov. 2, 1904.

Inez Whipple (1871-1929)

He published a paper “The vential surface of the mammalian chiridium with special reference to the conditions
found in man.”

Frederick A. Brayle (1910)

One of the earliest authors of First American books on fingerprints published in Boston by the Worcester Press, Inc. in
1910.

Dr. Edmond Locard (1912)

The Father of Poroscopy. He gave the terms Loops and Spirals who examined pores in detail.
Sgt. David R. Ashbaugh (1993)
1,611 = on smaller fingers
2,658 = on the larger fingers

Robert D. Oslen Sr. (1978)

Papillary skin contains an average of
2,700 = Pores per Square Inch.

Insp. Harry H. Caldwell (1915)

Member of California Police Department, Bureau of Identification.

He wrote request letters to the "Criminal Identification Operators" in August 1915, to form an organization of
detectives and to further the Identification profession.

Institute of Applied Science (June 16, 1916)

One of the pioneer schools in USA that offers Dactyloscopy. Located in Illinois.

Fingerprint and Identification Magazine (1919)

is a monthly published magazine in United States that is devoted exclusively for fingerprint science that started
in 1919.

Harry J. Myers II (1925)

Installed a fingerprint system at Jewish Maternity Hospital (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA).

Mary K. Holland – recognized as the First American Instructor in Dactyloscopy.

Salil Kumar Chatterjee (1963)

A fingerprint scientist of Calcutta, India who devised his own fingerprint system.

His published work was a result of his study of the edge and shapes of ridges.

Harris Hawthorne Wilder

An American scientist who discovered that ridges first emerge in the fetus.

Harold Cummins (1893-1976)

A professor of Anatomy of the School of Medicine at Tulane University, Luisiana who studied Dermatoglyphics.

Co-authored a book (with Charles Midloo) “Fingerprint, Palms and Soles – An Introduction to Dermatoglyphics”

HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF FINGERPRINT IN THE PHILIPPINES

The use of fingerprints in the Philippines started in the year 1900 by the Americans.

Garry Jones – an American who became the first instructor of fingerprints in the Philippines in 1900.

Generoso Reyes - first Filipino fingerprint technician employed by the PC, now PNP.

Isabela Bernales - first Filipina Fingerprint Technician.

Republic Act No. 409

Created the Criminal Records and Identification Division (CRID) under the Manila Police Department (MPD)
(now WPD) in 1900.

Commonwealth Act No. 181

Created the Division of Investigation (D.I.) that authorized the use of the Fingerprint Identification System on Nov. 13,
1936.

Lt. Asa N. Darby

The OIC of the Fingerprint Section of D.I. during the pre-occupation of the Americans in the Philippines.

Republic Act No. 157

abolished the D.I. on June 19, 1947
created B.I.

Executive Order No. 94

renamed B.I. to NBI on Oct. 4, 1947.

Evolution of NBI:
Division of Investigation
Bureau of Investigation
National Bureau of Investigation

Capt. Thomas Dugan (of NYPD)

Flaviano C. Guererro (Filipino member of FBI)
They have helped the NBI establish their fingerprint files, conducted trainings among NBI personnel and
assisted in its first operations.

Reorganization Act No. 1407

Created the Bureau of Prisons (now BuCor) on Nov. 1, 1905. At that time, the Bertillon System of
identification was in use.

1910 – the Bureau of Prisons started the use of the Fingerprint System.

Lt. George M. Wolfe

First Director, Bureau of Prisons (1909-1910).
He taught fingerprints to Generoso La Torre.

Generoso La Torre
The first Chief of the Identification Section (CIS) of the Bureau of Prisons from 1905 to 1920.
He started the use of fingerprint system.
In 1915, he went to I.A.S. for schooling on fingerprinting, there he met T. Dickerson Cooke.

T. Dickerson Cooke – a fingerprint expert who founded the IAS 1916, a correspondence school that specialized in the
study of fingerprints.

Plaridel Educational Institution (now known as Philippine College of Criminology (PCCr) - The first criminology
school owned by Bautista Family to offer BSCrim and teach fingerprint in the Philippines in 1954.

Other schools that opened B.S.Crim. in 1960s:

University of Baguio (1967)
University of Mindanao
University of Cebu
Abad Santos College

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION

DIFFERENT FINGERPRINT SYSTEMS:

There are more than 50 Classification Systems in the World.
Gasti System of Italy,
Pateer System of Holland
Vuccetich System of Argentina, and some other systems used by other countries.
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

SYMBOLS OF THE FINGERPRINT PATTERNS IN BLOCKS:

1. Plain Arch ………………….... = A
 2. Tented Arch …………………. = T
3. Radial Loop (Right Hand)….. = /
4. Radial Loop (Left Hand)……. = \
5. Ulnar Loop (Right Hand)…… = \
6. Ulnar Loop (Left Hand) …….. = /
7. Plain Whorl ………………….. = W
8. Central Pocket Loop Whorl.. = C
9. Double Loop Whorl…………. = D
10. Accidental Whorl …….. …… = X

Note: The diagonal symbol should be used in loops (Radial and Ulnar) and must always follow the slope of the
innermost sufficient recurve. Blocks numbers 1 to 5 are for the right hand fingers; while block numbers 6 to 10 are for
the left hand fingers.

ILLUSTRATION:

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.

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.

THE SIX CLASSIFICATION GROUPS

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

FINGERS INVOLVED:
1. Index Fingers = Main fingers
2. Four other fingers = to be classified using the Small letter group

TWO GROUPS:
1. Capital letter Group =ATRUWCDX
2. Small Letter Group =atr

2. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
 Indicate the type of fingerprint pattern of the index fingers using their symbols in capital letters.
 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.
 When 2 or 3 of the same fingerprint appear, 2 or 3 as the case may be, preceding such pattern is written.

3. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION (SSC)

Index, Middle, & Ring = Fingers involved
ANSWER is placed at the right side of the Secondary Classification.

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
 Ridge count of 3 or more below the right delta ………. ……… = O
 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.

Rules for Major Classification (MC):

B. Rules When the 2 THUMBS are Whorls (Use I.M.O)

 Ridge count of 3 or more above the right delta ……………...…. = I
 Ridge count of 3 or more below the right delta …………..…….. = O
 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.

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.

==================================================================
DR. JEZREEL VICENTE, CCS, CSP, CST, CSMS
Author of book entitled “Dactyloscopy: Science of Personal Identification”
Email: jezreel_vicente@yahoo.com
Public Mobile: 0977-8877-300
Facebook: Jezreel Vicente