1.

SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
This is obtained by writing the capital letter SMALL LETTER GROUP – It only include small
symbols taken from the index fingers and small letters, a-r-t, a (plain arch), r (radial loop), and t
letter group from the thumb, middle, ring and (tented arch).
little fingers.
Prints with plain arch, tented arch and radial loop
It appears just right of the fraction which in any finger except the index fingers constitute
represents the primary. the small letter group of the secondary
CAPITAL LETTER GROUP – This refers to the classification. Such “small letters” are brought up
patterns appearing at the index fingers, right into the classification formula in their relative
index as the numerator and left index as the positions immediately adjacent to the index
denominator. The type of pattern which can be fingers.
appear as follows:
A dash (-) is used to indicate the absence of each
Plain Arch - A
Tented Arch - T small letter between the index fingers and
Radial Loop - R
Ulnar Loop - U
another small letter, or between two small
Plain Whorl - W letters:
Central Pocket Whorl - C
Double Loop Whorl - D
Accidental Whorl - X
Secondary Classification Secondary Classification
C- - r
______ Wr- t
r _________
R- - t r Dr
 CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Key Major Primary Secondary Subsecondary Final

10 r W r - t
________________________________________________________
6 rDr
Secondary Classification Secondary Classification

R2 a t
a _________ a _________
T2t
Rr A- 2 r
1. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
This refers to grouping of print according to the
ridge count of loops and ridge tracing of whorls
appearing at the index, middle and ring fingers.

It is placed on the classification line immediately

to the right of the secondary classification.

The result of the ridge count must written on the

right upper corner of block where found and
later converted into symbol (I or O) and write it
on the rightmost portion of the classification line.

The result of the ridge trace must be written on

the right upper corner of the block in symbol (I, M
or O) and re- exhibit on the rightmost portion of
the classification line.
1. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
RIDDE COUNTING FOR LOOPS: RIDGE TRACING FOR WHORLS:
Index Fingers
Inner (I) – when the traced ridge is inside or in front of the right
1-9ridge count = Inner (I) delta and three (3) or more ridges cross or touch the imaginary
10 or more ridge count = Outer (O) line drawn between the right delta and traced ridge.
Middle Fingers
1-10ridge count = Inner (I)
11 or more ridge count = Outer (O) Meeting (M) – when the traced ridge is in front or below the
right delta consisting two (2) or less ridges that cross or touch
Ring Fingers the imaginary line drawn between the right delta and traced
1-13 ridge count = Inner (I) ridge.
14 or more ridge count = Outer (O)
Outer (O) - when the traced ridge passes outside (below) the
right delta and three (3) or more ridges cross or touch the
imaginary line drawn between the right delta and traced ridge.

Note: The right hand shall serve as the numerators while the
left hand as the denominators. On the case of tented arch or
plain arch, there shall be no classification on the finger when it
appears and it will be represented by dash (-).
1. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

The right index finger is a radial loop with a ridge count of 12, the right
middle finger is plain whorl with a ridge trace of outer (O) and the ring
finger is an ulnar loop with a ridge count of 17. On the other hand, the O OO
______
left index finger is a plain whorl with a ridge trace of meeting (M), the
left middle finger is a radial loop with a ridge count of 18, and the left MO I
ring finger is plain whorl with ridge trace of inner (I). SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
 CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Key Major Primary Secondary Subsecondary Final

10 r W r - t O O O
________________________________________________________
6 rDr MOI
1. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

I O I
_______
O I M
SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
1. MAJOR DIVISION
This division is derived from ridge count of loops
and ridge trace of whorls of both thumbs and It
is written on leftmost part of the classification
line before the primary classification.

Symbols for Loops: Symbol for Whorls

S – Small I - Inner
M- Medium M - Meeting
L – Large O – Outer The right thumb is radial loop with ridge count of 13
and the left thumb is radial loop with ridge count of 16.
Therefore, table 1 was used to determine the letter
symbols for both thumbs:
Therefore, table 1 was used to determine the letter
symbols for both thumbs:

M MAJOR DIVISION
M
 CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Key Major Primary Secondary Subsecondary Final

M 10 r W r - t O O O
________________________________________________________
M 6 rDr MOI
1. MAJOR DIVISION
The right thumb is radial loop with ridge count of 13
and the left thumb is ulnar loop with ridge count of 17.
S
Therefore, table 2 was used to determine the letter
L
symbol of the right thumb

The right thumb is central pocket loop whorl with ridge O

trace of outer (O) and the left thumb is plain whorl with
ridge trace of inner (I). I
1. MAJOR DIVISION
2

/ W \ \ W
16

/ / / / W

S
M
1. FINAL

This refers to ridge count of a loop appearing at the

right little finger. It is exhibited or place at the
extreme right of the classification line.

If a loop does not appear in the right little finger, a

loop in the left little finger may be used. It is then
indicated at the extreme right of the denominator.
 CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Key Major Primary Secondary Subsecondary Final

M 10 r W r - t O O O
________________________________________________________
M 6 rDr MOI 13
1. FINAL
Rules when there is no loop in the little fingers:

A whorl may be used to obtain a final, ridge counting

from left delta to core if in the right hand and from
right delta to core if in the left hand. (In ridge
counting plain whorl and central pocket loop whorl
treat them as an ulnar loop)
LEFT An accidental whorl will be ridge counted in all but
RIGHT
the least ridge count will be used

The double loop is counted from the delta to the core

of the upright loop. Where loops of a double loop are
horizontal, the nearest core is used.

Should both little fingers be Plain arch or Tented arch,

no final is used.
1. KEY

It is the classification derived from the ridge counting

of the first loop that appears in one of the fingers
from the thumb excluding the little fingers of both
hands.

13

22
 CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Key Major Primary Secondary Subsecondary Final

10 r W r - t O O O
22________________________________________________________
M
M 6 rDr MOI 13
1. KEY

It is the classification derived from the ridge counting

of the first loop that appears in one of the fingers
from the thumb excluding the little fingers of both
hands.
IF NO LOOP APPEAR IN A SET OF FINGERPRINT. The
first whorl is ridge counted.
KEY IS NOT POSSIBLE. If the entire set of prints is
composed of plain arches and tented arches, the key
classification cannot be obtained. 13
The key classification no matter where it appears is
always placed to the extreme left of the numerator
of the classification formula.

22