Fingerprint: A fingerprint is a reproduction of the ridge’s formation of a finger on a surface.
Pattern: Whenever an interspace is left between the boundaries of a different system of ridges, it is fitted by a small system of its own, which will have some characteristic shape called a ‘Pattern’.
Sir Edward Henry modified Galton’s classification and classified them into 4 groups ARCH, LOOP, WHORL, COMPOSITE
Classification of Fingerprint Pattern
1. ARCH: In this pattern,
Delta and Core are absent in the
Arch pattern. There are two
types of Arch patterns. Arches are
found in about 5% of fingerprint patterns
Plain Arch---this pattern has a steady flow
of ridges. It begins from the one side of the finger, and then the ridge flows upward marginally, almost like a wave. The plain arch then
continues its trip along the finger to the other side.
(Plain Arch)
Tented Arch - this pattern is similar to the plain arch it begins on one side of
the finger and glides out in a
similar manner to the other side.
In a plain arch, the ridges
are continuous while in tented
arch these are not
The ridges,
which connect each other in the center, meet and thrust
upward, giving the imprint the shape of a tent.
(Tented Arch)
2. Loop Pattern : The loop is the most common fingerprint pattern and appears in 60-70% of the population. In this pattern, the ridges enter from one side, curve around, and exit from the same side.
There are two type of loop pattern : Radial loop and Ulnar loop
Radial loop : · Opens toward the radius bone (thumb side).
· Less common
than ulnar loops.
Ulnar Loop : The ridges slant towards the right in the case of right-hand fingers and towards the left in left-hand fingers. Opens toward the ulna bone (little finger side). Most common in the right hand.
3. Whorl Pattern
Definition: Whorl patterns consist of circular or spiral ridge formations and appear in 25- 35% of the population.
Key Identification Features:
· Two deltas.
· At least
one core.
· Ridges form circular,
spiral, or concentric patterns.
Subtypes of Whorls:
Plain Whorl:
o
Circular
ridges with two clear deltas.
o
Symmetrical and simple
spiral or circle.
Central Pocket Loop Whorl:
o
Similar to the plain whorl, but the central spiral is off-center.
o
One delta is closer to
the core.
Double Loop Whorl:
o Contains two separate loop formations, making an “S” shape.
Accidental Whorl: Irregular pattern that combines two or more types. Accidental whorls are very rare and unique and occur with a frequency of only one to three percent
References
1. Fingerprints are categorized based on ridge patterns such as loops, whorls, and arches, which remain unchanged throughout life and are used for personal identification in forensic investigations. Forensics Science Simplified – Fingerprint Patterns. https://www.forensicsciencesimplified.org/prints/Fingerprints.pdf
2. Fingerprint classification includes basic ridge patterns (arches, loops, whorls) and further sub-types like ulnar loops, radial loops, and composite patterns, used in criminal identification and database systems. Wikipedia – Fingerprint. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint
3. Galton’s foundational book *Finger Prints* (1892) laid the scientific groundwork for pattern classification and showed the uniqueness and permanence of fingerprint ridges for identification. Francis Galton, *Finger Prints*. Macmillan & Co., 1892.
4. The Henry Classification System, developed by Edward Henry with contributions from Qazi Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose, organized fingerprint records into groups based on pattern types for easier retrieval in forensic databases. Wikipedia – Henry Classification System. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Classification_System
5. Fingerprint classification systems often include the primary patterns loops, whorls, arches and their sub-types, and may also utilize composite classes for more detailed sorting. Dermatoglyphics & classification overview. https://egyankosh.ac.in/bitstream/123456789/73699/1/Unit--3.pdf
6. Basic fingerprint patterns are commonly divided into arches, loops, and whorls, with loops being the most frequently occurring type in population studies. Study.com – Fingerprint Ridge Patterns and Characteristics. https://study.com/academy/lesson/common-characteristics-of-fingerprints.html