R

RIID
DGGE
E
C
CHHA
ARRA
ACCTTE
ERRI
ISST
TIIC
CSS
 Defining RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS

The RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS are the details of the

ridge structure, formation and elements which
differentiate one fingerprint from another and
which impart individuality to each fingerprint
(Thompson and Black, 2007).
Fingerprint - is a reproduction on some smooth surface
of the pattern area or design formed by the ridges on
the inside of the end joint of a finger or thumb.
Friction Ridges - are the
raised strips of skin on the
inside of the end joints of
our fingers and thumbs by
which fingerprints are
made. Other names
"papillary ridges" and
"epidermal ridges".
Fingerprint patterns
consists of alternating
ridges and furrows.
RECURVING RIDGE - is a ridge that curves
back in the direction from which it
started. The curve at the top or closed end
is the "recurve".
CONVERGING RIDGE - are two ridges running
parallel and meeting at a point forming an
angle. The closed end is the "point of
convergence".
DIVERGING RIDGES - are two ridges running side by
side and suddenly separating, one going one and the
other going another way. The point of where they
separate is called the "point of divergence".
APPENDAGE - a shorter ridge, which runs
into the one trying to recurve at the top of
the summit of the recurve at the right
angle.
BIFURCATION - one ridge
which forks or splits into
two ridges. The point where
it splits or forks is called
the "point of bifurcation".
RIDGE ENDING - an abrupt
end of a ridge formation.
ISLAND RIDGE - a ridge
resembling a dot.
ENCLOSURE - a bifurcation
which does not remain open
but in which legs of
bifurcation after running
along side by side, form a
single ridge one more.
SPUR - a bifurcation with
one short ridge branching
off a longer ridge.
CROSSOVER - an instance crossing-over of
a ridge.
 Type
lines and
Pattern
Areas
VELASCO & CAJENTA
TYPE LINES- are the basic
boundaries of most fingerprints.
They are the two innermost ridges
which run parallel, starting from
the lower corner or corners of the
pattern area, where they diverge
or separate, then surround or tend
to surround pattern area.
Type lines are not always two
continuous ridges. In fact, they
are more often found to be
broken. When there is a
definite break in a type line,
the ridge immediately outside
of it is considered as its
continuation.
According to the narrow meaning
of the words in fingerprint
parlance, a single ridge may
bifurcate, but it may not be said
to diverge. Therefore, with one
excerption, the two forks of a
bifurcation ma never constitute
type lines. The exception is when
the forks run parallel after
bifurcating and then diverge. In
such a case the two forks become
the two innermost ridges
required by definition.
Angles are never formed by a
single ridge but by the abutting of
one ridge against another.
Therefore, an angular formation
cannot be used as a type line.
Ridges A and B join at an angle.
Ridge B does not run parallel to
ridge D; ridge A does not diverge.
 PATTERN AREA

The pattern area is that part which

lies within the area surrounded by
the type lines in which are found the

cores, deltas, and other ridges

pertaining to a particular
fingerprint pattern.
 Rules in Determining Type Lines
1. Look for the two innermost diverging ridges.
2. Whenever the ridge that forms a type line suddenly
ends, the next ridge immediately outside of it, is
taken as its continuation.
 Rules in Determining Type Lines
3. When a type line bifurcates, the outer branch of the
bifurcation is considered as the continuation of the
type line,

Note: Within the pattern area of loop and whorl type

fingerprints are fixed or focal points known as "deltas" and
"cores"
 Delta Formation
Types of Delta:

1. Bifurcation or Fork

2. Ridge Ending

 Delta Formation
Types of Delta:

3. Island Ridge

4. Eye or Enclosure Ridge

 WHAT IS DELTA?

a DELTA or outer terminus is a point on the ridge

formation at or directly in front or near the center or the
divergence of the type lines.

Rules in Determining the DELTA:

1. Determine first the type lines.

2. Look for the first ridge formation at or directly in front
of the divergence of the type lines.
3. Whenever there is a choice between a bifurcation and
some other ridge formations as the location of the delta,
the bifurcation is always taken as the delta. Provided,
however, the bifurcation must be the first ridge formation
in front of the divergence of the type lines and it must
open towards the pattern area
4. Whenever the choice is between two or more ridge
formations other than a bifurcation, the one nearer or
nearest the core is chosen as the delta.
5. In case of an ending ridge running parallel in between
the type lines, the following rules shall apply:

a. If this ridge is wholly within the pattern area,

the delta is located at the end nearer the divergence of
the type lines.
 b. Should this ridge originate outside of the pattern
area, the delta is located at the end nearer the core.
THANK YOU!