FINGERPRINT

CLASSIFICATION
FORMULA
PRIMARY DIVISION
 always represented by a numerical value assigned to
whorls according to what finger they appear.

The sum of even numbered fingers represents the

numerator while the odd numbered fingers will be the
denominator.
SECONDARY DIVISION
Represented by Capital and small letter combination
based on interpretation made during the blocking.

Index finger- Capital letter

The rest- Small letter
Small letter only includes Radial loop, Plain
Arch and Tented Arch (R,A,T)
 SUB-SECONDARY DIVISION
Derived by ridge counting of loop and tracing of whorl
found at the index middle and ring fingers only.

 Plain arch and Tented arch are always dash (-).

INDEX FINGER - 1-9 (INNER) 10 AND UP (OUTER)
MIDDLE FINGER 1-10 (INNER) 11 AND UP (OUTER)
RING FINGER 1-13 (INNER) 14 AND UP (OUTER)
WHORL TRACING
INNER – 3 OR MORE INTERVENING RIDGE ABOVE THE RIGHT DELTA
MEETING – 0-2 INTERVENING RIDGE BELOW OR ABOVE THE RIGHT DELTA
OUTER – 3 OR MORE INTERVENING RIDGES BELOW THE RIGHT DELTA
MAJOR DIVISION
Taken from the thumb only
Whorl- ridge tracing
REMEMBER: USE THE TABLE 1
Loop- ridge counting FOR THE LEFT THUMB THEN, IF
THE RIDGE COUNT OF LEFT
Arch- dash (-) THUMB IS 16 OR LESS USE
Whorls- I, M, O TABLE 1. IF THE RIDGE COUNT
OF LEFT THUMB IS 17 OR MORE
Table 1 Table 2 THEN USE THE TABLE TWO FOR
THE RIGHT THUMB
1-11 S 1-17 S
12-16 M 18-22 M
17 & up L 23 & up L
FINAL DIVISION
Derived from the little finger only
Loop and whorl are both subjected to ridge counting.

 Arch= dash (-)

KEY DIVISION
Derived from getting the ridge count of the first loop
except the little fingers.

 In the absence of the loop, the first whorl will be

ridge counted for the purpose.
 CLASSIFICATION OF AMPUTATIONS
IF ONE FINGER IS AMPUTATED, IT IS GIVEN THE
CLASSIFICATION OF OPPOSITE FINGER.
 IF TWO FINGER IS AMPUTATED, IT IS GIVEN THE
CLASSIFICATION OF OPPOSITE FINGER. IN CASE THAT
BOTH AMPUTATED FINGER IS OPPOSITE WITH EACH
OTHER THEY ARE GIVEN THE CLASSIFICATION OF
WHORLS WITH MEETING TRACING
 ALL FINGERS IS AMPUTATED OR MISSING AT BIRTH
M 32 W MMM
M 32 W MMM
Latent Prints = prints found at the scene of the crime.
TYPES OF LATENT PRINTS
• Visible prints = are those prints which are readily visible to the
naked eye. It can either be: Molded prints or Prints made by
contamination with colored substance.
• Invisible prints = prints that are generally made by sweat or
perspiration that requires developing for visibility.
• Chance prints = prints left on a place unconsciously or
accidentally.
• Smudge prints = prints made by sliding motion of the finger.
• Fragmentary prints = partial prints (impression).
INSTRUMENT USED FOR DEVELOPING LATENT PRINTS:
• Fingerprint powder.
• Fingerprint brush
• Latent Print transfer card - used to preserve developed latent
prints.
• Fingerprint Strip Holder - used to hold card for post mortem
fingerprint.
• Magnifying lens (Horse-shoe type) expert magnifying lens.
THINGS THAT MAY NOT BE DONE IN THE CRIME
SCENE
• a. Do not lift without taking photographs
• b. Do not lift on small movable object
• c. Do not remove object without taking photograph
• d .Do not place powder to the entire crime scene
• e. Do not develop visible latent print
“ Values are like FINGERPRINTS. Nobody is
the same, but you leave them all over in
everything you do.”

- Elvis Presly-
THANK YOU!
&
KEEP SAFE!
Mark Jayson P. Muyco, R.Crim