Fingerprint

Classification
• Classification – is the method of obtaining a
formula for a set of fingerprints whereby, it may
be located in a filing cabinet.
• Classification Formula – is a numerical
description of a set of classified fingerprints
which is composed of figures and letters written
above the horizontal line like a fraction.
• Classification Line – it refers to a long line
usually placed on the upper right corner of the
fingerprint chart where the classification formula
of the given 10 rolled fingerprints is exhibited.
 SIR EDWARD RICHARD HENRY, (1891-
1900) Inspector General of Police, Bengal India
from 1891. Introduced the new system of
classification of f/prints, it was adopted in Scotland
Yard, London, used in most part of the world in all
English speaking countries.
Before computerization replaced manual filing
systems in large f/print operations, manual f/print
classification systems were used to categorize
f/prints based on general ridge formation(such as
the presence or absence of circular patterns on
various fingers), thus permitting filing and retrieval
of paper records in large collections based on
friction ridge patterns alone. The most popular ten-
print classification systems include the ROSCHER
SYSTEM, the JUAN VUCETICH SYSTEM and
the HENRY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM.
- ROSCHER SYSTEM was developed in
Germany and implemented in both Germany and
Japan.
• -VUCETICH SYSTEM developed by a Croatian
born Buenos Aires Police Officer, was developed
in Argentina and implemented throughout South
America.
• -HENRY SYSTEM was developed in India and
implemented in most English-speaking countries.
Blocking – is the process of writing below each
pattern the corresponding symbol of the fingerprint
pattern in the spaces provided in the chart
conspicuously or in capital letters purposely to
facilitate the attainment of the Primary
Classification.
Symbol of the Fingerprint Patterns in Blocking
Plain Arch ............……… A
Tented Arch …………….. T
Radial Loop …………….. / (right hand)
\ (left hand)
Ulnar Loop ……………… \ (right hand)
/ (left hand)
Plain Whorl …………….. W
Central Pocket
Loop Whorl …………….. C For Index Finger Only
Double Loop Whorl ……. D
Accidental Whorl ………. X
Primary Division - the numerical values are assigned to
each of the ten finger spaces.
It is the classification formula in which we obtain the
numerical value of all whorls in the fingerprint cards.
Wherever a whorl appears, it assumes the value of the
space in which it is found.
The values are assigned as follows:
Fingers No. 1 and No. 2 -------- 16
Fingers No. 3 and No. 4 --------- 8
Fingers No. 5 and No. 6 ---------- 4
Fingers No. 7 and No. 8 --------- 2
Fingers No. 9 and No. 10 --------- 1

No. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 are the ODD fingers; the Denominators and the Even
Fingers No. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 are the Numerators. The summation of the
numerical values of the whorl type patterns in the fingerprint cards plus
one over one (1/1) will be the primary division.

If loops appear in all ten fingers, the primary division is one over one
(1/1) and if whorls appear in all ten fingers, the primary division is 32
over 32 or (32/32).
• Secondary Division - it is the classification formula in
which we determine the type of pattern appearing on the
index finger only. It is shown in the formula by capital
letters representing the basic types of patterns appearing
in the index fingers of each hand, that the right hand
being the NUMERATOR and the left hand being the
DENOMINATOR.
a. Under the index fingers the appropriate capital letters
should be placed for every pattern.
b. Under all other fingers, the appropriate small letter
should be placed for every pattern except the ulnar loop
and the whorl as follows;
Arch --------------------- a
Tented Arch ------------ t
Radial Loop ------------- r
Prints with an arch or tented arch in any finger or a radial
loop in any except the index fingers constitute the small
letter group of the secondary classification, such small-
letters, with the exception of those appearing in the index
fingers, are brought up into the classification formula in
their proper relative positions immediately adjacent to the
index fingers. A dash is used to indicate the absence of
each small letter between the index fingers and another
small letter, or between two small letters, as
1 aUa-t and 1 aU – t
1 aR-a 1 U-a
If a radial loop appear in the right thumb, the small letter
“r” would be brought up in the numerator N column of
the classification formula and placed just to the left of the
capital letter representing the index finger. Similarly, if an
Arch or tented arch or a radial loop would appear in the
middle, ring or little finger of the hand, the small letter
representing such a pattern would be placed on the
classification line to the right of the secondary in the
numerator N column if the letter is present in the right
hand and in the denominator D of the same type occur
immediately adjacent to each other, they are indicated
thus:
1 rU -2a and 1 aTa-a
1 tU3a 1 tA2at
• Sub- Secondary Division - (Grouping of Loops and
Whorls). It is the division in which we obtained the
Ridge count of the Loop and Ridge Tracing of the
Whorl from Index, Middle and Ring Fingers.
• Major Division - is placed just to the left of the primary
in the classification formula. When whorls appear in the
thumbs the major division reflects the whorl tracings just
as the secondary does, used Inner, Meeting & Outer or
I, M, & O. But when loops appear in the thumbs,
however, a table is used to translate the ridge counts into
the SMALL, MEDIUM & LARGE GROUPS,
designated by the letters S, M, L .
 CLASSIFICATION CHART

R THUMB R INDEX R MIDDLE R RING R LITTLE

When Left Thumb 1–9=I 1 – 10 = I 1 – 13 = I
Is 16 or Less 10 & Over = O 11 & Over = O 14 & Over = O
1-11= S
12-16=M RIDGE COUNT OF SECOND SUBSECONDARY
17 & Over=L
cont…
When Left Thumb
is 17 or Over
1 – 17=S
18 – 22=M
23 & Over=L
LEFT HAND
L THUMB L INDEX L MIDDLE L RING L LITTLE
1 – 11= S
12 – 16=M
17 & Over=L VALUES SAME AS ABOVE
Final Division – This is done by ridge counting the
LOOPS and WHORLS from the two little fingers. The
result of the count (in number) will be exhibited in the
extreme right of the classification line. The ridge count of
the right little finger is the numerator while that of the little
finger is the denominator. Arches are represented by a dash
(-) in the classification line.

Note: Whorl patterns will be treated as ulnar loop.

Key Division - is obtained by counting the ridges of the
first loop appearing on the f/print card (beginning with the
right thumb), exclusive of the little fingers. The key is
always placed to the extreme left of the numerator of the
classification formula. If all whorls appear on the f/print
card, the right thumb will be treated as a loop by counting
the ridges.
 Classification of
Amputated Fingers
1. When one or more fingers from the same hand are
amputated, it is given the classification of the opposite
fingers (together with the ridge count or ridge tracing)
except its primary division.
2. When one or more opposite fingers are amputated or
missing, it is given the classification of PLAIN
WHORL with a ridge tracing of MEETING.
3. When all the fingers are amputated or missing, they are
all treated as PLAIN WHORL with ridge tracing of
MEETING.