Fingerprint patterns and classifications
The discovery of fingerprints has been widely attributed to a 19th century scientist named Francis Galton. He conducted the first decisive study of finger ridge patterns and established a system of grouping them for future reference. His book, Finger Prints, educated the world of forensic science on how personal and unique a fingerprint can be.
Galton's proposal that "no two fingerprints are identical" changed the world of forensic science forever. In order for fingerprinting to be useful in forensic identification, a method of sorting and classifying them would be necessary.
English speaking nations however, have adopted another system of classification attributed to Sir Edward Richard Henry. Henry established five basic patterns, adding tented arches to Galton's three groups (loops, whorls and arches), and dividing loops into two different classes.
The discovery of fingerprints has been widely attributed to a 19th century scientist named Francis Galton. He conducted the first decisive study of finger ridge patterns and established a system of grouping them for future reference. His book, Finger Prints, educated the world of forensic science on how personal and unique a fingerprint can be.
Galton's proposal that "no two fingerprints are identical" changed the world of forensic science forever. In order for fingerprinting to be useful in forensic identification, a method of sorting and classifying them would be necessary.
English speaking nations however, have adopted another system of classification attributed to Sir Edward Richard Henry. Henry established five basic patterns, adding tented arches to Galton's three groups (loops, whorls and arches), and dividing loops into two different classes.
Plain arch.
Arches are found in about 5% of fingerprint patterns encountered.
The ridges run from one side to the other of the pattern, making no backward turn.
Arches are found in about 5% of fingerprint patterns encountered.
The ridges run from one side to the other of the pattern, making no backward turn.
Tented arch.
Tented arches don’t have the same "easy" flow that plain arches do and particularly have “significant up thrusts” in the ridges near the middle, appearing to form "tents"
Tented arches don’t have the same "easy" flow that plain arches do and particularly have “significant up thrusts” in the ridges near the middle, appearing to form "tents"
Radial loop.
Loops occur in about 60-70 % of fingerprint patterns encountered.
Radial loops are named after the radius, a bone in the forearm that joins the hand on the same side as the thumb. The flow of the pattern in radial loops runs in the direction of the radius (toward the thumb). Radial loops are not very common and most of the time radial loops will be found on the index fingers.
Loops occur in about 60-70 % of fingerprint patterns encountered.
Radial loops are named after the radius, a bone in the forearm that joins the hand on the same side as the thumb. The flow of the pattern in radial loops runs in the direction of the radius (toward the thumb). Radial loops are not very common and most of the time radial loops will be found on the index fingers.
Ulnar Loop.
Ulnar loops are named after the ulna, a bone in the forearm. The ulna is on the same side as the little finger and the flow of the pattern in a ulnar loop runs in the direction of the ulna (toward the little finger).
Ulnar loops are named after the ulna, a bone in the forearm. The ulna is on the same side as the little finger and the flow of the pattern in a ulnar loop runs in the direction of the ulna (toward the little finger).
Whorl.
Whorls are seen in about 25-35 % of fingerprint patterns encountered. In a whorl, some of the ridges make a turn through at least one circuit.
Plain, Central pocket, Double lop and accidental and all variations of the Whorl pattern.
Whorls are seen in about 25-35 % of fingerprint patterns encountered. In a whorl, some of the ridges make a turn through at least one circuit.
Plain, Central pocket, Double lop and accidental and all variations of the Whorl pattern.