FINGERPRINT CHARACTERISTICS

RIDGES used in fingerprint classification are raised lines that appear on the inside of the end joints of the
fingers and thumbs.
PATTERN is the name assigned to fingerprints on each finger and is determined by the way the lines are
shaped.

IMPRESSION is an imprint of a finger that has been placed on a fingerprint card. The term is used
interchangeably with the word “fingerprint.”

ENDING RIDGE is a ridge that enters the pattern and stops in mid-air. It may be shaped vertically or
horizontally. These ridges are not connected to any other ridge. An ending ridge does not complete a
continuous flow in the pattern area.
The ridges are flowing continuously, which means they curve and continue going until stopping on the
same side they entered.

SHORT RIDGE is longer than a dot. Although it is in itself an ending ridge, it may be identified by the
mere fact that it is “short” and very noticeable.

Recurving Ridge simply means a ridge that curves back on itself.

SHOULDERS are the point at which the recurving ridge definitely turns inward or curves. They are at the
top portion of the recurving ridge and are very important as they indicate the direction in which to count
ridges. C(Count upward toward the shoulders.) The lines marked X in Figures 5 to 7 are illustrations of
shoulders.

Appendage is an attachment or connection on the outside of a recurving ridge between the shoulders
and at right angles.
SUFFICIENT RECURVE is that part of a ridge between the shoulders that is free of appendages abutting
(touching) on the outside at a right angle. If an attachment to a recurve flows off smoothly it is not an
appendage. A sufficient recurve may also be called a “smooth” recurve. A sufficient recurve is needed in
order to locate a core for counting purposes. Care should be taken to locate the recurve that does not
have an appendage.

SPOILED RECURVE refers to a recurve with an appendage (connection) on the outside between the
shoulders at a right angle. See figures 8 to 15.
ANGLES are formed by the meeting of two ridges at a right angle and resemble the letter V. In Figure
16A the ridges marked A and B form an angle.

ISLAND is the expansion of one ridge into two and the rejoining into one ridge again. An island is also
referred to as an “enclosure”
BIFURCATION is the dividing of a single ridge into two or more branches. This characteristic is similar to
a tree branch and may branch out in any direction.

DIVERGENCE is the spreading apart of two lines which have been running parallel or nearly parallel.
Lines turn away from each other when diverging.