dactyloscopy

3.1.1: General Group of 3.1.2: Characteristics of Arch

Fingerprint Patterns Patterns
The classification of fingerprints into distinct General Characteristics:
groups based on general similarities enables
the fingerprint examiner to search for an • No core
unidentified fingerprint within a specific • No delta
section of the fingerprint file rather than the o No ridge tracing
entire file. Various fingerprint classification o No ridge counting
systems are in use around the world. These
systems are all based on Sir Francis Galton's Subdivisions:
three fundamental ridge formations. Patterns
are classified into three types: 1. Plain Arch (A) – ridges flow from
one side to the other without
1. Arch (5%) recurving

2. Loop (60%)

3. Whorls (35%)

2. Tented Arch (T) – one or more

ridges in the center form an upward
thrust or a sufficient rise; the ridges
in the center form a definite angle
of 90 degrees or less.

Patterns are the first level of detail used in the

identification process, and recognition of the
various fingerprint patterns is essential to a
fingerprint examiner. Patterns are assigned to
each of the ten fingers in an ordered fashion.
3.1.3: Characteristics of Loop 3.1.4: Characteristics of Whorl
Patterns Patterns
General Characteristics: General Characteristics:

1 core • At least 2 deltas

• 1 ridge that makes a complete
1 delta circuit
• Ridge tracing is applicable
With sufficient recurve that passes between
the delta and core

Subdivisions:
With at least 1 ridge count
1. Plain Whorl (W) – at least one
Ridge counting is applicable
circuiting ridge is touched or
crossed by an imaginary line
Subdivisions:
drawn between two deltas
1. Radial Loop (R) - the direction of
the slant is going towards the
thumb (radial bone)

2. Central Pocket Loop Whorl (C) – no

recurving ridges within the pattern
2. Ulnar Loop (U) – the direction of the area are touched or crossed by an
slant is going towards the little imaginary line drawn between two
finger (ulnar bone) deltas
 2. Pattern area – part of the
fingerprint which lies within the
3. Double Loop Whorl (D) – consists of area surrounded by the type lines.
two separate and distinct loop
formations, with sets of shoulders
and two deltas
Rules in Locating the Type of Lines

1. Divergence vs. Bifurcation

1. Divergence – spreading
apart of two lines that
have been running
parallel or nearly parallel

2. Bifurcation – forking or
dividing of one ridge into
4. Accidental Whorl (X) – a two ridges
combination of two different types
of patterns (except a plain arch). It
can have two or more deltas

2. The arms of a type of bifurcation

on which the delta is located
cannot be used as a type line.
3. Angles cannot be considered for
type lines.
4. Type lines are not always two
continuous ridges but are often
broken. When there is a definite
break, the ridge immediately
outside of it is considered as its
continuation.

3.2.1: Different Ridge

3.1.5: Type Line and Pattern Characteristics
Areas
Ridge Characteristics:
Definition
1. Bifurcation or bifurcating ridges – a
1. Type lines – basic boundaries of single ridge that splits into two
fingerprints forming a ‘Y’ shape.
2. Dot – fragmentary ridges formed
like a dot. A dot has no direction.
 3. Short ridge – fragmentary ridges 8. Rod or bar – single-ending ridge at
formed by short or series of short the center of a recurving ridge
ridges. (not less than 3mm) 9. Shoulder of a loop – the point at
4. Ridge ending – termination or end which the recurving ridge definitely
of a ridge. turns or curves.
5. Enclosure (Eye, lake, eyelet) – a 10. Spike – ending ridge at the center
single ridge that bifurcates where of the pattern which forms the
the bifurcating ridges converge at upthrust.
a certain point to form again into a 11. Staple – single recurving ridge at
single ridge. the center of the pattern area.
6. Ridge hook or Spur – a ridge that 12. Sufficient recurve – space between
divides into two ridges; one shoulders of the loop, free of any
connecting ridge which splits at appendage, and abutting at a
the side is extremely shorter than right angle.
the other. 13. Upthrust – ending ridge of any
7. Bridge – a short ridge, usually at a length rising at a sufficient degree
right angle, that connects two from a horizontal place.
parallel ridges.
8. Ridge Crossing – inter lapping of
two ridges against each other. 3.2.1: Different Ridge
9. Opposed bifurcation – two
opposing bifurcations at both ends
Characteristics
of a ridge.
Ridge Characteristics:
10. Double bifurcation – one branch of
a bifurcation further splits into two
1. Bifurcation or bifurcating ridges – a
separate ridges.
11. Trifurcation – a single ridge splitting single ridge that splits into two
forming a ‘Y’ shape.
into three separate ridges.
2. Dot – fragmentary ridges formed
like a dot. A dot has no direction.
3. Short ridge – fragmentary ridges
Other ridge characteristics/formations: formed by short or series of short
ridges. (not less than 3mm)
1. Appendage – a short ridge at the 4. Ridge ending – termination or end
top or summit of a recurve usually of a ridge.
at a right angle. 5. Enclosure (Eye, lake, eyelet) – a
2. Core – the heart of the pattern or single ridge that bifurcates where
the approximate center of the the bifurcating ridges converge at
pattern. a certain point to form again into a
3. Delta – a point on the first ridge single ridge.
formation at or directly in front or 6. Ridge hook or Spur – a ridge that
near the center of the divergence divides into two ridges; one
of the type lines. connecting ridge which splits at
4. Creases – thin, usually straight the side is extremely shorter than
narrow white lines running the other.
transversely or formed side to side, 7. Bridge – a short ridge, usually at a
across the print, causing the right angle, that connects two
puckering of the ridges. parallel ridges.
5. Furrows – depressions or canals 8. Ridge Crossing – inter lapping of
between the ridges. two ridges against each other.
6. Incipient or nascent ridges – madly 9. Opposed bifurcation – two
formed, thin, short, or broken which opposing bifurcations at both ends
appear in the furrows between two of a ridge.
well-formed ridges. 10. Double bifurcation – one branch of
7. Recurving ridge – a ridge that a bifurcation further splits into two
curves back in the direction in separate ridges.
which it started.
 11. Trifurcation – a single ridge splitting • Approximate center of the
into three separate ridges. fingerprint impression
• Whorl and arch patterns do not
require that the core be located

Other ridge characteristics/formations:

1. Appendage – a short ridge at the Rules in locating the core:

top or summit of a recurve usually
at a right angle. 1. Located on the shoulder of the
2. Core – the heart of the pattern or innermost recurve farthest from the
the approximate center of the delta.
pattern. 2. Located on the spike or rod in the
3. Delta – a point on the first ridge center of the innermost recurve,
formation at or directly in front or provided that the spike or rod rises
near the center of the divergence as high as the shoulders.
of the type lines. 3. If there is an even number of spikes
4. Creases – thin, usually straight or rods as high as the shoulders, the
narrow white lines running core is located on the farthest of
transversely or formed side to side, the innermost spikes from the delta,
across the print, causing the whether or not the spike or rod
puckering of the ridges. touches the inside of the curve.
5. Furrows – depressions or canals 4. If there are an odd number of
between the ridges. spikes or rods as high as the
6. Incipient or nascent ridges – madly shoulders, the core is located on
formed, thin, short, or broken which the end of the center spike,
appear in the furrows between two whether or not the spike or rod
well-formed ridges. touches the inside of the curve.
7. Recurving ridge – a ridge that 5. In interlocking loops, join the two
curves back in the direction in loops with an imaginary recurve,
which it started. making one loop with a rod or rods
8. Rod or bar – single-ending ridge at inside. Count the rod(s) shoulder-
the center of a recurving ridge high and then fix the core.
9. Shoulder of a loop – the point at
which the recurving ridge definitely
turns or curves. 3.4.1: Rules in Ridge Counting
10. Spike – ending ridge at the center
of the pattern which forms the Ridge Counting
upthrust.
11. Staple – single recurving ridge at • the process of counting the
the center of the pattern area. intervening ridges that touch or
12. Sufficient recurve – space between cross an imaginary line drawn
shoulders of the loop, free of any between the core and delta.
appendage, and abutting at a • Only applicable to loops
right angle. • The number of intervening ridges
13. Upthrust – ending ridge of any between the core and delta is
length rising at a sufficient degree known as ridge count.
from a horizontal place.

3.3.2: Rules in Locating the Rules in Ridge Counting:

Core 1. One ridge must be a looping ridge

2. The delta and core are not
Core counted

• Also known as the ‘inner terminus’

 3. Fragments and dots are counted to the right delta on the
as ridges only if they appear as upward trend.
thick as the surrounding ridges. 2. If no upward trend is
4. If you cross a bifurcation, count present, continue
both of its arms. tracing until a point
5. If the delta is on the only loop, opposite the right delta,
there is no ridge count. (tented or the delta itself is
arch) reached.
6. If the delta is above the shoulders 6. If the delta is a dot, the tracing
of a single looping ridge and the begins on the type line, which is
core is on the shoulder, there is no the ridge immediately below the
ridge count unless the imaginary delta.
line cuts the recurve. 7. It is not necessary to count more
7. When the core is placed on a spike than three ridges.
that touches the inside of the
innermost sufficient recurves, the Note: whenever the ridge bifurcates, the
recurve is included in the ridge lower branch proceeding from the
count only when the delta is bifurcation is followed.
located below a line drawn at right
angles to the spike.
For Ridge Tracing:
Note: When the line crosses an enclosure,
both sides are counted. 1. Meeting (M) – 0, 1, 2, ridges either
from the left delta or the right delta
3.4.2: Rules in Ridge Tracing
2. Outer (O) – 3 or more ridges below
Ridge Tracing the right delta
3. Inner (I) – 3 or more ridges above
• Applicable to whorls the right delta
• The method of ridge coursing uses
two deltas as the focal points.

Rules in Ridge Tracing

1. Tracing always commences from

the point of the extreme left delta.
2. Tracing goes across the pattern
following the lower contour of such
pattern until it ends at a relative
point nearest the right delta.
3. If the tracing ridge ends, drop
perpendicularly to a point on a
ridge found below and continue
the tracing.
4. For Accidental Whorls:
1. Accidental whorls often
have three or more
deltas
2. Only the extreme outer
deltas are considered.
5. For Double Loop Whorls:
1. When the tracing passes
inside of the right delta,
stop at the nearest point