THE FINGERPRINT PATTERNS

A. THE THREE GENERAL/FAMILY OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS.

1. The Arch (5%)

2. The Whorl (35%)
3. The Loop (60%)

B. THE EIGHT STANDARD FINGERPRINT PATTERN

-Presently, there are eight standard patterns which are widely used in the field of fingerprint.
Before, on the Galton and Henry System, they used the Nine standard fingerprint pattern. Only
that after the Galton-Henry System with FBI Modification and Extension, we have our eight
standard fingerprint pattern.

Galton and Henry System Galton-Henry System with FBI

Modification and Extension

Groups/Families = 3
1. Arch (3) – Plain, Tented, and
Exceptional Arch.
2. Loop (4) – Plain, Lateral, Twin,
and Central Pocket Loop
3. Whorl (2) – Plain Whorl and
Accidental Whorl
Groups/Families = 3
1. Arch (2) – Plain and Tented
2. Loop (2) – Radial and Ulnar
Loop
3. Whorl (4) – Plain, Central
Pocket Loop, Double Loop,
and Accidental Whorl

B.1. Arch (5%)

1. Plain Arch (A)- a type of fingerprint pattern in which ridges flow form one side to the
other with a slight raise in the center.

2. Tented Arch (T)- is a type of pattern having an angle of 90 degrees or less, an up

thrust, and approaching the loop type (there is no ridge count).

B.2. Loop (35%)

a. There must be a delta

b. A sufficient re-curving ridge passing or touching an imaginary line drawn

between the core and delta.

c. There must be ridge count of at least one.

1. Ulnar Loop ( ) – downward slant are from the thumb towards the little finger or ulnar
bone.

2. Radial Loop (/) – downward slant are from the little finger toward the thumb or radius
bone.

B.3. Whorl (60%)

a. Plain Whorl (W) – at least one circuiting ridge is touched or cross by an

imaginary line from delta to delta.
 b. Central Pocket Loop (C) – no circuiting ridge is touched by the imaginary line
from delta to delta.

c. Double Loop Whorl (D)

 2 separate loop formation

 2 separate and distinct shoulder
 2 deltas

d. Accidental Whorl

 2 or 3 deltas
 2 diff. types of patterns except PLAIN ARCH.

THE RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS (GALTON DETAILS)

In a single fingerprint impression, there are a hundred of ridge characteristics present. Fingerprint pattern is
not enough to provide proof of identification to make an accusation prosper. It is indeed the importance of identifying
every details of ridge characteristics to provide number of points in order to support once conviction. The identification
of ridges characteristics serves as the basic ground to specifically determine the owner of those prints. Investigators
rely heavily on the amount of similarities of the ridges in the finger when compared with the specimen and standard
print.

(Basic Types of Ridges: Island (Dot), Ending, & Bifurcation)

1. Ridge Dot (Island Ridge)- ridge formation in a form of a dot or period.

2. Bifurcation- a ridge formation wherein a single ridge divides or forks into two. It forks.
3. Converging Ridge- two ridges that meet at a certain point.
4. Diverging Ridge- two ridges that spread apart.
5. Enclosure/Lake Ridge/Eyelet- a single ridge that divides into two and meets at a certain point to form
another single ridge.
6. Ending Ridge- it refers to an abrupt end.
7. Type Lines- is a diverging ridge that tends to surround the pattern.
8. Pattern Area- it is surrounded by the type lines and where the delta, core, ridges and patterns are
located.
9. Re-curving ridge- a single ridge that curves back from where it started.
10. Bridges- a connection ridge between parallel running ridges usually in right angles.
11. Sufficient Recurve- recurving ridge which is free from any appendage.
12. Rod or Bar- short or long ridge inside the recurve and directed towards the core.

The two fingerprint terminus (Focal points)

 The Delta (outer terminus)- found at the center or near the center of the diverging type lines.
 The Core (inner terminus or the heart) - found at the center or innermost recurve of the typelines.

RIDGE COUNTING AND RIDGE TRACING

1. Ridge Counting- process of counting the ridges that touches the imaginary line from delta to core in a
loop type and delta to delta with the exception in the final division wherein it requires a delta to delta
ridge count. Never include delta and core in the ridge count.

2. Ridge Tracing- number of intervening ridges between the tracing ridge at the right delta.

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION PROCEDURE

Important Terms to Remember in Fingerprint Classification

 BLOCKING- is the process of writing below each pattern the corresponding symbol of the fingerprint
pattern.

CLASSIFICATION- is the method of obtaining a formula for a set of fingerprints whereby it may be located
in the filing cabinet.

CLASSIFICATION FORMULA- is a numerical description of a set of fingerprints which is composed of

figures and letters written above the horizontal line.

FILING- process of locating the proper place in a fingerprint file.

FILLING OUT- entering on a fingerprint record card of all known essential data about a subject.

SEQUENCING- means the placing of a group of classified sets into their correct filing order.

FORMATION IN THE CLASSIFICATION LINE

KEY MAJOR PRIMARY SECONDARY SUB-SECONDARY FINAL

________________________________________________________________________

MAJOR PRIMARY SECONDARY SUB-SECONDARY FINAL

DIVISION OF THE CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION- summation of all numerical value designated only to Whorl Patterns
appearing in a fingerprint chart. Expressed in as numerators and denominators with a pre-established
fraction of 1/1 to complete the Primary Division.
ALL WHORLS APPEARING IN THE FOLLOWING FINGERS WILL HAVE ITS CORRESPONDING
NUMERICAL VALUES, TO WIT:

 (1ST PAIR) 1st and 2nd Finger (Right Thumb and Right Index)= numerical value of 16
 (2ND PAIR) 3rd and 4th Finger(Right Middle and Right Ring)= numerical value of 8
 (3RD PAIR) 5th and 6th finger (Right Little and Left Thumb)= numerical value of 4
 (4TH PAIR) 7th and 8th finger (Left Index and Left Middle)= numerical value of 2
 (5TH PAIR) 9th and 10th finger (Left Ring and Left Little) = numerical value of 1

- All values appearing on the EVEN numbers will be the NUMERATOR while those in the ODD
number will be the DENOMINATOR.
- Patterns without numerical value are the arches and loops.

Note: Fingers nos. 1-5 are from Right Hand while fingers No. 6-10 are from Left Hand.

PAIR OF FINGERS IN A CLASSIFICATION CARD

FIRST PAIR FIRST PAIR SECOND PAIR SECOND PAIR THIRD PAIR
 THIRD PAIR FOURTH PAIR FOURTH PAIR FIFTH PAIR FIFTH PAIR

0 16 0 0 4
Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket
Loop
T D A / w
4 2 2 0 1
Accidental Whorl Central Poclet Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl
W C W a w

All numerators (Even Numbers): 16 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 23

All denominators (Odd Numbers): 0+0+4+2+0= 6

23/6 + 1/1 (Pre-established Fraction) = 24/7

PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION = 24
________
7

2. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION (BY CAPITAL LETTERED GROUP)- this is done by putting all the
CAPITAL LETTER symbol of the standard fingerprint pattern from two INDEX FINGERS. The pattern in
the Right hand will be the Numerator and Left Hand the Denominator.

Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket Loop
T D a / w

Accidental Whorl Central Poclet Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl

W C w a w

____24 _D___
7 C

3. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION (BY SMALL LETTERED GROUP)- this involves only the three
fingerprint pattern namely, RADIAL LOOP, PLAIN ARCH, AND TENTED ARCH (RAT). Whenever these
patterns appear in the finger, the symbol must be r for Radial Loop, a for Plain Arch, t for Tented Arch.
The Index Finger is excluded in this classification. All this three patterns once appear on the fingerprint
card, must be exhibited before (Right and Left Thumb) or after the Primary or Secondary Classification.
 Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket
Loop
T D A / w

Accidental Whorl Central Pocket Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl

W C W a w

24 tDa

7 Ca

4. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION-derived from the index, middle, or little finger.

- it is derived by ridge counting the loop and Ridge tracing the Whorl.

a. Ridge Counting of Loop

Index = 1-9 Ridge Counts (INNER) 10 or more Ridge Counts (OUTER)

Middle = 1-10 Ridge Counts (INNER) 11 or more Ridge Counts (OUTER)

Ring = 1-13 Ridge Counts (INNER) 14 or more Ridge Counts (OUTER)

b. RIDGE TRACING OF WHORL

Rules on Ridge Tracing of Whorl

 If the tracing ridge from the left delta goes INSIDE or ABOVE the right delta and there 3 or more
intervening ridges, the tracing is INNER (I).

 If the tracing ridge from the left delta goes OUTSIDE or BELOW the right delta and there are 3 or
more intervening ridges, the tracing is OUTER (O).

 If the tracing ridge from the left delta goes either ABOVE or BELOW the right delta and there are 2
or less intervening ridges, the tracing is MEETING (M).

 If the tracing ridge from the left delta meets squarely with the right delta, the tracing is MEETING
(M).

m - o
Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket
Loop
T D A / w
m m -
Accidental Whorl Central Pocket Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl

W C W a w
 24 tDa M-O___________________

7 Ca MM-

5. MAJOR DIVISION- derived from the thumb finger only.

- If whorl patterns appear, ridge trace.

- Ridge Count if the patterns appears on the thumb are loops and identify whether it is
Small, Medium, or Large depending on the number of ridge counts appearing therein. Refer to
Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 TABLE 2

Ridge Counts Symbols Ridge Counts Symbols

1-11 Small (S) 1-17 Small (S)

12-16 Medium (M) 18-22 Medium (M)

17 or more Large (L) 23 or more Large (L)

Note: Table 2 shall only be applied to the right thumb when the ridge count from the left thum reached 17 or
more (LARGE). This is known as “Exceptional.”

- m - O
Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket
Loop
T D A / w
M (12) m m -
Accidental Whorl Central Pocket Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl

W C W a w

- 24 tDa M-O___________________

M 7 Ca MM-

6. FINAL DIVISION- derived from the little fingers only.

- Both loop and whorl are subject to ridge counting.

 Radial and Ulnar are subject to the usual procedure.

  Rules in Ridge Counting of Whorl:

a. Plain or Central Pocket Loop Whorl- will be treated as Ulnar Loop.

b. Double Loop Whorl- get the ridge count of the top loop

c. Accidental Whorl- get the least ridge count from any of the whorl pattern appearing therein.

- m - o 10
Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket
Loop

T D a / w
M (12) m m - 12
Accidental Whorl Central Pocket Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl

W C w a w

- 24 tDa M-O____10________________

M 7 Ca MM- 12

7. KEY DIVISION- getting the ridge count of the 1st loop except the little fingers.

- if there is no loop, the first whorl shall be ridge counted and will be treated as Ulnar Loop.

- M 14 - o 10
Tented Arch Double Loop Plain Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket
Loop

T D a / w
M (12) m m - 12
Accidental Whorl Central Pocket Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Plain Whorl

W C w a w

14 - 24 tDa M-O____10________________

M 7 Ca MM- 12

CLASSIFICATION OF MISSING OR AMPUTATED FINGERS

1. When one or more fingers from the same hand are amputated or missing, it has the same classification with that of
the opposite finger (together with the ridge count and tracing) except with the primary classification.

2. Two or more opposite finer are amputated or missing, it is given the classification of PLAIN WHORL, with ridge
trace of MEETING.

3. If all fingers are missing, all shall be treated as PLAIN WHORL AND MEETING.

Finger Abnormalities and Congenitals

1. Macrodactyly- enlargement of fingerprint

2. Polydactyly- having more than the usual normal number of fingers.

3. Brachdactyly- the fingers are abnormally short.

4. Syndactyly- wherein two fingers are joined or fused together.

5. Ectodactyly (Lobster Claw Hand)- it is the absence of one or more fingers in a hand.

Latent Prints

Latent Prints- are those prints that are hidden or concealed which are usually left accidently on the crime scene.
These are prints naked to the human eye but they actually exist.

- the word “latent” is a Latin word which means “something indistinct or hidden.”

- Latent Prints are classified into different categories.

 According to imprinted surface.

a.1 Soft Surface- (such as soap, wax, wet paint, fresh caulk, etc.) are likely to be three-dimensional plastic
prints.

a.2. Hard Surfaces- are either patent (visible) or latent (invisible) prints

 According to Degree of Visibility

a. Visible Prints- those prints that can be easily recognized such as blood, dirt, ink, paint, or any
colored surface is transferred from a finger or thumb to a surface.
b. Semi-visible Prints- prints found on clay, dust, muds and other sticky surface.
c. Invisible Prints- those prints created through sweat or perspiration found on the fingers. It is the
common types observed in the crime scene.

 Other types of latent prints

a. Smudge Prints- prints created due to the sliding motion of the finger.
b. Fragmentary Prints- prints that shows incomplete ridges.

Methods in Developing Latent Prints

a. Dusting Method- considered as the simplest and most common method of developing latent
prints. By using black powder, the powder will adhere on the moisture left on the surface.
Fingerprint powder can be categorized into four:
 Regular Powders
 Luminescent Powder
 Metallic Powder
 Thermoplastic
b. Chemical Fuming- it is used by applying iodine fume into the latent print surface.
c. Cyanoacrylate Fuming- used for the development of latent prints on surfaces made of plastic,
adhesive tapes aluminum foils, and rubber bands.
d. Iodine Dusting Method- same procedure as that of a dusting method but uses an iodine powder
and absorbs the fingerprint which gives yellowish brown prints as a result of development.
e. Ninhydrin Method- best method applied in developing latent prints in a paper surface.
f. Silver Nitrate Reagent- the application of silver nitrate to a latent print surface and reacts to the
chloride present in the latent print.
g. Iodine Silver Plate Transfer Method- a practical technique used in developing latent print on
human skin. It is done by spraying an iodine fume into the area of the skin. Once the latent print is
developed, it will be transferred to a silver plate then exposed to strong light for evaluation.
h. Laser Method- modern way of developing latent print.