2. SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND
DEVELOPMENT OF FINGERPINT
• Marcelo Malpighi (1628-1694)- A
professor of Anatomy in the University of
Bologna, Italy who published a book
entitled “De Externo Tactus Organo”
depicting the construction of the layers of
the human skin, particularly the friction
skin namely the Epidermis and the
Dermis. He originated the term “loops and
spiral” and because of his contribution one
of the thin layer of the friction skin was
named after him, the “Malphigian layer”.
3. • J.C. Mayer (1788) He stated in his book
(Anatomiche Kuphertafeln Nebst dazu
Gehorigen)”Although the arrangement of
the skin ridges is never duplicated in
two persons, nevertheless, the
similarities are closer among the some
individuals.
4. • Professor Johnnes E. Purkenje (1823) A
professor in the University of Breslau,
Germany, who discovered in his study of
physiology, that the skin on the inner
surface if the hands bore patterns, which
he later named and set rules governing
their classification and even identify nine
types of patterns, but he did not
associate it with identification.
5. • Herman Welcker(1856)- He took the
prints of his own palms and after fourty-
one years (1879) he printed the same
palms to proved that prints do not
change, except for some scratches due to
old age.
6. FINGERPRINTS AS A METHOD
OF IDENTIFICATION
• Sir William J. Herschel (1858) – Hoogly,
District of Bengal , India, as acting official
representative of English government in
Bengal, India, he utilized fingerprints as
a substitute for signature to avoid
impersonation among the natives
7. • Dr. Henry Faulds (1877)- A surgeon at
Tsukiji Hospital, Tokyo Japan, He wrote
the english Journal “Nature dealing with
latent prints found at the scene of the
crime”, He claimed that the impression
would provide positive identification of
offenders when apprehended. He also
wrote “A Manual of Practical
Dactylography” based on skin ridges of the
fingers and toes.
8. Sir Francis Galton, a British anthropologist and a
cousin of Charles Darwin, began his observations of
fingerprints as a means of identification in the 1880's.
In 1892, he published his book, "Fingerprints",
establishing the individuality and permanence of
fingerprints. The book included the first
classification system for fingerprints.
Discovered the three families of fingerprint (Arch,
loop and Whorl)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francis_Galton
9. Sir Francis Galton - 1888
Galton's primary interest in fingerprints was as an aid in
determining heredity and racial background.
◦ He soon discovered that fingerprints offered no firm clues to an
individual's intelligence or genetic history
◦ He demonstrated that fingerprints do not change over the course
of an individual's lifetime, and that no two fingerprints are exactly
the same
◦ According to his calculations, the odds of two individual
fingerprints being the same were 1 in 64 billion.
10. Alphonse Bertillon
1883 Created the first systematic
system of individual classification
& identification
Detailed description of subject,
full-length & profile photographs
& a system of precise body
measurements (anthropometry)
http://www.spsmvbr.cz/cesky/os_stranky/jedlicka/muzeumzla/bertilon/bertilon.html
http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ojis/history/measure.jpg
11. Will West
1903: William West incident
◦ Fort Leavenworth prison
◦ New prisoner William West
couldn’t be distinguished from
unrelated inmate with same
name by anthropometry
◦ Discovered that their
fingerprints differed
12. FINGERPRINTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
• 1. Mr.Jones – One who first taught fingerprint in
the Philippine Constabulary in the year 1900.
• 2. Bureau of Prison – Records shows that in
1819, CARPETAS (Commitment and Conviction
Records) already used fingerprint.
• 3. Lt. Asa and N. Darby – Established a modern
and complete fingerprint files for Philippine
Commonwealth during the reoccupation of the
Philippines by the American Forces.
• Generoso Reyes – First Filipino Fingerprint
Technician employed by the Phil. Constabulary
13. • Isabela Bernales – First Filipina Fingerprint
Technician
• Capt. Thomas Dugan, New York Police Department
and Flaviano Guerrero, FBI Washington – gave the
first examination in fingerprint in 1937 and Agustin
Patricio of the Philippines Top the Examination.
• People of the Philippine Vs. Medina – First
conviction based on fingerprint and leading judicial
decision in the Phil Jurisprudence (10 points of
Identity).
• Plaridel Education Institution- Now known as the
Philippine College of Criminology, the first
government recognized school to teach the Science of
Fingerprint and other Police Sciences.
14. Anthropometry = the first scientific method of
identification which was established by Alphonse
Bertillion (Father of Personal Identification). It is a
system of identification done through measuring various
bony structure of the human body. It was first used in
England for almost two decades (20 years) before
fingerprint was used. Records shows that
Anthropometry was questioned due to the famous
“West Case”, a case of two persons (Will West and
William West) of the same face and almost exactly the
same height.
15. FINGERPRINTS AND THE
FRICTION SKIN
• Definition of Terms:
• Dactyloscopy = Refers to the practical
application of fingerprints (the making of
identifications by fingerprints comparison
and classification of fingerprints).
• The word Dactyloscopy was derived from
two Latin words: “Dactyl” which means
“finger” and “skopien” meaning “to study”
or “to examine”. Therefore, dactyloscopy
literally means the study of finger
16. • Dactylography = Refers to the scientific
study of fingerprints as a means of
identification.
• Dactylomancy = is the study of fingerprint
for purposes of interpreting one’s
personality.
• Dermatoglyphics = is the science which
deals with the study of skin pattern. It is
derived from two Greek words, Derma
which means Skin and Glype which
means Carve.
17. • Fingerprints = is an impression design by
the ridges on the inside of the last joint of
the finger or thumb on any smooth surface
through the media of an ink, sweat or any
reagents capable of producing visibility. In
most cases, it appears to be semi visible,
having been made from sweat which
requires further development in order to
make more legible.
18. Principles of Fingerprint
Identification
• Principle of Individuality = States that there
are no two person having the same fingerprints.
It is based on statistical probability that it
would be impossible for any two persons to have
similar fingerprints.
• Principle of Permanency / Constancy = States
that once ridges are fully develop their general
arrangement remains the same throughout life.
• Principle of Infallibility = States that
fingerprints is a reliable positive means of
Identification.
19. Other Field of study related to
Dactyloscopy:
• Poroscopy = (derived from the Greek
words “poros”, a pare, and “skopien”, to
examine). It is then the study of the sweat
pores. This was explored by Edmond
Locard (Father of Poroscopy).
• Chiroscopy = (derived from the Greek
word “cheir”, a hand, and “skopien”, to
examine) It is the study of the prints of the
palm’s of the hand. Sir William Herschel
utilized this.
20. • Podoscopy = (derived from the Greek
word “podo”, the foot and “skopien”, to
examine) It is the study of the prints of the
soles of the feet.
21. THE FRICTION SKIN AND ITS
COMPONENTS:
• Definition:
• Friction Skin = is an epidermal hairless skin
found on the ventral or lower surface of the
hands and feet covered with minute ridges and
furrows and without pigment or coloring matters.
• = It is also called as papillary or epidermal
ridges.
• = it refers to the strips of skin on the inside of
the first joints of our fingers and thumbs by
which fingerprints are made.
23. Components of the Friction
Skin:
• a. Ridge Surface = is that component of the friction skin
that actually forms the fingerprint impression.
• Ridges = are tiny elevation or hill like structures found
on the epidermis layer of the skin containing sweat
pores. It appears as black lines with tiny white dots
called pores in an inked impression.
• Furrows = are the canal-like impression or a depression
found between the ridges which may be compare with
the low area in a tire thread. They appear as white lines
in an inked impression.
24. • b. Sweat Pores = is a small opening
found anywhere across the ridge surface
but is usually found near the center.
Sometimes called an “islands which colors
white in plain impression and is
considered as individual as the
fingerprints.
25. • c. Sweat Duct = Is a long-host like
structure that serves as the passage way
for the sweat that exits at its mouth, the
pore.
• d. Sweat Glands = is that glands found in
the dermis layer of the skin which is
responsible for the production of the sweat
(watery substance).
26. FUNDAMENTAL LAYERS OF
THE FRICTION SKIN:
• Epidermis = the outer covering of the skin
• Two main layers of the Epidermis
• (1) Stratum Corneum – the outer layer
• (2) Stratum Mucosum – immediately
beneath the covering layer.
27. • Dermis = the inner layer of the skin
containing blood vessels, various glands
and nerves. It is where the dermal papillae
are found.
28. Ridge Formation
• Ridges begin to form on the human fetus
during its 3rd to 4th months of the fetus
life (fifth to sixth months before birth).
29. • Dermal papillae = are irregular blunt pegs
composed of delicate connective tissues
protruding and forming the ridges of the
skin on the fingers, palms, Toes and soles
of the feet. It does not containing coloring
pigments (melanin).
30. SOME NOTABLE ATTEMPTS OF
DESTROYING RIDGES AND
DISGUISED
• John Dillinger, US notorious public
enemy No. 1, who tried to remove his
fingerprints with acid but failed. Post-
mortem fingerprints taken after FBI agents
shot him proved that he was Dillinger.
31. • Roberts James Pitts =gained fame as
“the man without fingerprints” knowing
form an inmate of a possible destruction of
fingerprints
32. Importance of Fingerprints:
• It is used for identifying suspects for
investigation purposes.
• Used to provide identity for unidentified
dead person.
• Used for the identification of missing
person.
• Detecting a criminal identity through
fingerprints collected at the scene and
determining recidivism or habitual
delinquency.
33. • Used as a means of verification or
confirmation of public documents.
• Used as records in the police departments
and other law enforcement agency for the
purpose of issuing clearance.
• Modern technology utilizes fingerprints in
opening of volts or doors leading to
confidential matters.
• Used as a means in checking or verifying
entry of authorized personnel on certain
business establishments.
35. • FINGERPRINTS HAVE GENERAL RIDGE
PATTERNS FOR CLASSIFICATION:
• Divided into three classes:
– LOOP
– WHORL
– ARCH
• 60-65% OF THE POPULATION HAS LOOPS
• 30-35% WHORLS
• AND 5% ARCHES
36. Dermatoglyphics
• Individuality is not determined by
general shape or pattern but by a
careful study of its ridge
characteristics
– (also called minutiae)
• Identity- number- and relative location
of features that impart individuality.
– The features should be in the same
relative location to one another.
– In court, a point-by-point comparison must
be made to establish identity
38. LOOP
• It is a type of
pattern in which
one or more of the
ridges enters on
either side of the
impression, then
turn or makes a
recurve, passing or
touching an
imaginary line
drawn between the
delta and core, then
flow toward the
same side of the
impression from
where the ridges
entered.
38
39. • Requisites of a loop pattern:
• It must have a delta
• It must have a core
• It must have a recurving ridge that passes
between the delta and core.
• It must have a ridge count of at least one.
40. Loops
Loops must have one delta and one or more ridges that enter and leave on the
same side. These patterns are named for their positions related to the radius
and ulna bones.
Delta
Ulnar Loop (Right Thumb)
Loop opens toward
right or the ulna bone.
Radial Loop (Right Thumb)
Loop opens toward the
left or the radial bone.
NOTE: On the left hand, a loop that opens to the left would be an ulnar loop,
while one that opens to the right would be a radial loop.
41. ARCH
• ARCH
– In one side
– Rises
– Falls
– Goes out the
other side
41
42. ARCH-In Depth
• ARCH-Ridges enter on one side
of the impression and tend to
flow out the other side with a rise
in the center
• Plain Arch-Ridges enter, wave
or rise and exit smoothly
• Tented Arch-Ridges in the center thrust
upward to give an appearance similar
to a tent. Inside angle is smaller than 90
degrees
• Both types of arches comprise about
6% of all fingerprint patterns
42
Plain Arch
Tented Arch
43. Arches
Arches are the simplest type of fingerprints that are formed
by ridges that enter on one side of the print and exit on the
other. No deltas are present.
Plain Arch
Ridges enter on one side and
exit on the other side.
Tented Arches
Similar to the plain arch,
but has a spike in the center.
Spike or “tent”
45. WHORL-In Depth
• WHORL-At least two delta type
divergences are present with
recurving ridges in front of each.
(whorls comprise approximately
29% of all fingerprint patterns)
• Plain Whorl-One or more ridges
form a complete revolution around
the center (2 deltas)
Central Pocket Loop Whorl-
a pattern which possess two (2)
deltas, with one or more ridges
forming a complete circuit which
maybe oval, spiral, circular or any
variant of a circle; or it is a pattern
consisting of two deltas, with one or
more recurving ridges with an
obstruction at right angle to the inner
line of flow, between which an
imaginary line would touch or cross
no recurving ridge within the inner
pattern area 45
Plain Whorl
Central Pocket
Loop Whorl
46. Additional
Types
Double Loop-Two separate
loops are present, Two
separate and distinct sets of
shoulders, two deltas
(ying / yang)
• Accidental-Any pattern
which does not conform to
any of the previous patterns
Elements of Accidental Whorl:
•Combination of two different
type of pattern with the
exceptions of the plain arch
•Two or more deltas. 46
Double Loop
Accidental
47. Whorls
Whorls have at least one ridge that makes (or tends to make) a complete circuit.
They also have at least two deltas. If a print has more than two deltas, it is most
likely an accidental.
Draw a line between the two deltas in the plain and central
pocket whorls. If some of the curved ridges touch the line, it is a
plain whorl. If none of the center core touches the line, it is a
central pocket whorl.
Plain
Whorl
Central
Pocket
Whorl
48. Whorls – Part 2
Accidental Whorl
Accidental whorls contain two or
more patterns (not including the plain
arch), or does not clearly fall under
any of the other categories.
Double Loop Whorl
Double loop whorls are made
up of any two loops combined
into one print.
Delta
50. Converging ridge
Is a ridge
formation
characterized by a
closed angular end
and serves as a
point of
convergence
(meeting of two
ridges that were
previously running
side by side).
51. Diverging Ridges
= Two ridges that
are flowing side
by side and
suddenly
separating or
spreading apart.
57. Type lines =
These are basic
boundaries of
fingerprint
patterns. They are
the two innermost
ridge that are
running parallel or
nearly parallel
with each other
which diverge at a
certain point
tending to
surround the
pattern area.
58. Recurving or
Looping Ridge
= Is a kind of
ridge formation
that curves back
in the direction
from which it
started. It looks
like a hairpin
59. Sufficient Recurve
= Is a recurving
ridge complete in its
shoulder and is free
from any
appendage.
60. Appendage
= is a short
ridge found at
the top or at
the summit of
a recurving
ridge
61. Rod or Bar = Is
a short or long
ridge found
inside the
innermost
recurving ridge
of a loop
pattern
62. Obstruction Ridge
= Is a short ridge
found inside the
innermost
recurving ridge that
spoiled the inner
flow towards the
center of the
pattern.
63. Deltas and Core
• The Focal Points of Fingerprint
Classification Also known as the
fingerprint terminus. The delta is
considered as the outer terminus and the
core as the inner terminus.
64. DELTA
• = It is a point on the first ridge formation
located directly at or in front of and nearest
the center of the divergence of the type
lines.
• = The term “delta” is an old Greek Word.
The original English meaning of the word
refers to a deposit of earth at the mouth of
a river.
65. Six Delta Formation
• A bifurcating ridge
• A dot
• An ending ridge
• A short ridge
• A converging ridge
• A point on a long ridge
•
67. A bifurcation may
not be selected
as a delta if it
does not open
towards the core.
A bifurcation should be
the first ridge
formation in front of
the divergence of the
type lines and it must
open toward the
pattern area
68. When there is a
choice between
two or more
possible delta,
the one nearest
to the core be
selected.
When a pattern shows a
series of bifurcation
opening towards the
core at the point of
divergences of the type
lines, the bifurcation
nearest the core is
chosen as the delta.
69. When there is a
choice between two
or more possible delta
one of which is a
bifurcation, the
bifurcation should be
selected.
The delta may not be
located on the middle of
the ridge running
between the type lines
towards the core, but at
the end of the that ridge.
70. In case of a ridge near the
center of the type lines
despite several bifurcating
ridge opening towards the
core, the delta is located at
the point of the first
bifurcation just in front of the
divergence of the type lines.
71. CORE
In a loop pattern
are formed in a
variety of ways
but are always
found on or
within the
innermost
looping or
recurving ridge.
73. When there is
no bar or rod
inside the
innermost
sufficient
recurve, the
core is place
on the
shoulder of
the recurving
ridge further
from the delta.
74. When an innermost
recurving ridge contains a
rod or an ending ridge
rising as high as the
shoulders of the loop, the
core is placed on the
summit of the rod
When the innermost
recurving ridge contains
an uneven number of rods
rising as high as the
shoulder line or even
higher the core is placed
upon the end of the center
ridge whether it touches
the innermost recurved or
not.
75. When the innermost
recurve contains an
even number of
ridges which are
rising as high or
higher than its
shoulder line, of the
two central ridge,
the core is placed
upon the end of the
second ridge which
is farther from the
delta.
76. RIDGE COUNTING AND
RIDGE TRACING:
1. Ridge Counting
= Is the process of counting the ridges that
touch or cross an imaginary line drawn
between the delta and core of a loop. A
wide space must always intervene
between the delta and the first ridge to be
counted.
77. Rules in Ridge Counting
• Locate the exact points of the core and delta.
• Count all ridges which touch or cross an
imaginary line drawn between the core and the
delta. (In actual used of fingerprint card for
classification, the lens is guided by a red line
shown on the disk.
• Incipient ridges are never counted no matter
where they appear the general rule is that in
order to be counted; the width of the ridge must
be equal to the width of the other ridges in the
pattern under consideration.
78. Ridges Subject to Ridge
Counting:
• A ridge island or a dot gives one ridge
count
• A short ridge is given one ridge count
• A long ridge is given one ridge count
• An abrupt ending ridges is given one ridge
count
79. • A bifurcating ridge is given two-ridge count
when it was cross in the opening or at the
center of the bifurcation.
• Ridge enclosure is counted as two ridges.
• Cross crossing or meeting of two ridges is
counted as two
80.
81. Ridge Tracing
It is the process counting the ridges
intervening between the tracing ridge
(flows from the left delta to the right delta)
and the right delta. This process is used to
determine the three (3) subdivisions of
Whorls into Inner, Outer and Meeting
which is represented by capital I, M, and
O.
82. Rules in Ridge tracing:
• Look for the left delta and traced the delta
towards the front of the right delta.
• When the ridge being traced abruptly
ends, drop to the next ridge just right
below the original tracing ridge and
continue the tracing until it reached the
opposite side (right delta).
• When the left delta is a dot, same thing
should be done as in No. Procedure.
83. • When the ridge being traced is a
bifurcation always follow the lower branch
until tracing is completed.
• Determine whether the tracing ridge flows
inside (above) or below (outside) the right
delta.
Count the number of intervening ridge
(ridge between the tracing ridge and right
delta).
84. Inner Whorl (I) –
is a whorl pattern
whereby a
tracing ridge
runs or goes
inside or above
the right delta
and there are
three (3) or more
intervening
ridges.
85. Outer Whorl (O) – is
a whorl pattern
whereby a tracing
ridge runs or gores
below or outside the
right delta and there
are three (3) or more
intervening ridges.
86. Meeting Whorl
(M) – Is a Whorl
pattern having
two (2) or less
intervening
ridge/s
regardless of
whether the
tracing ridge
flows below or
above the right
delta.
88. Fingerprint visibility
• Latent fingerprint- earlier stated was invisible to the eye since they are
just perspiration and sometimes oil.
– Composed mainly of water (95%) and 5% other substances –
chemicals used to make these visible react with some of these
substances
• Visible Prints: made by fingers touching a surface after ridges have
been in contact with colored material: BLOOD, PAINT, GREASE, INK
• Plastic Prints are ridge impressions left in soft material- putty, wax,
soap, or dust.
• Locating visible prints are easier being visible and distinct to the eye.
• Latent prints are more difficult and require use of technologies and
techniques that will make the print visible.
89. TYPES OF FINGERPRINT
IMPRESSIONS
(Index, middle, ring and little finger) and rolled it away
from the body of the subject.
Thumb to be rolled towards the body of the subject
90. • Rolled Impression = is an impression
made or place in the fingerprint card taken
individually by rolling the ten fingers of the
subject 180 degrees from tip to the second
joints.
• Plain Impression = is an impression made
simultaneously that serves as a reference
impression.
91. Purpose of the plain impression:
• To serve as a guide in checking the rolled
impression, whether or not the rolled impression
were properly place on their respective boxes.
• To check on the ridge characteristics of the plain
impression, if the rolled impression is somewhat
feint, or indistinct due to the bad condition of the
friction skin either temporary or permanently
deteriorated or in case of a doubtful or
questionable prints.
• To check the minute details of the ridge
characteristics for purposes of classification and
identification.
92. CLASSIFICATION OF
FINGERPRINTS
• Check whether the rolled fingerprint
impression were affixed in their proper
place in the fingerprint chart using the
plain impression as the guide.
• Blocking the fingerprint--- is the process
of writing below each pattern the
corresponding symbols of the fingerprints
in the space provided for each pattern.
93. Symbols of fingerprint patterns:
• Plain Arch - - - - - - - -A
• Tented Arch - - - - - - - -T
• Radial Loop ()for left hand- R
(/) for right hand
• Ulnar Loop (/)for left hand- U
() for right hand
• Plain Whorl - - - - - - - - -W
• Central Pocket Loop - -C
• Double Loop Whorl - - -D
• Accidental Whorl- - - - -X
94. Plain Whorl Ulnar loop Radial loop Double loop
whorl
Central Pocket
loop whorl
W / D C
Plain Arch Accidental
Whorl
Tented Arch Plain whorl Double Loop
Whorl
A X T W D
Examples of Blocking
95. The Fingerprint Classification Formula:
The fingerprint Classification Formula is
composed of the following Division:
• Primary Division – represented by
numerical value
• Secondary Division – consisting of
Capital and small letters.
• Sub Secondary Division – is the product
of ridge counting and ridge tracing
resulting to I, M, O System.
96. • Major Division – just the same as the sub
secondary only differ in the ridge counting
which resulting to S, M, L system but
Whorl tracing remains the same. the I, M,
O. System
• Final Division – represented by number
value as a result of ridge counting both
whorl and loop of the little finger.
• Key Division – represented by numerical
value resulting from the first ridge counted
loop.
97. THE CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
Primary Division
• Is the sum of all the numerical value
assigned to whorl appearing in the
fingerprint card expressed as numerator
and denominator plus (=) the pre-
established fraction of 1/1 to complete the
primary division. It is that division of the
fingerprint classification that is always
represented by a numerical value.
98. • Steps to be followed:
• Look for the whorl patterns only.
• Pairing of the ten (10) finger print impression into
five (5) groups that is
• Pair 1 Right thumb and right index (FINGER 1 AND 2)
• Pair 2 Right middle and right ring(FINGER 3 AND 4)
• Pair 3 Right little and left thumb (FINGER 5 AND 6
• Pair 4 Left index and left middle (FINGER 7 AND 8)
• Pair 5 Left ring and left little (FINGER 9 AND 10)
99. Assigning of Numerical Value:
• Patterns with numerical value = All Whorls
such as plain, central double and
accidental whorl)
• Patterns without numerical value = The
loops (radial and Ulnar ) and the Arch
(plain and tented arch).
• Pair 1 = 16 Pair 4 = 2
• Pair 2 = 8 Pair 5 = 1
• Pair 3 = 4
100. Determining the numerators and the
denominators
• Numerators are fingers with even numbers
such as 2, 4, 6, 8, 10.
• Denominators are fingers with odd
numbers such as 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.
Sum all the numerators and
denominators numerical value plus the
pre-established fraction of 1/1 to
complete the primary division.
101. Right Thumb
Finger1
(16)
Finger
2 (16)
Right Index
Right Middle
Finger
3 (8)
Finger
4 (8)
Right Ring
Right Little
Finger
5 (4)
Finger
6 (4)
Left Thumb
Left Index
Finger
7 (2)
Finger
8 (2)
Left Middle
Left Ring
Finger
9 (1)
Finger
10 (1)
Left Little
Illustration of the preparation for the Primary Division
102. Plain Whorl
Finger1
(16)
Finger 2
(16)
Ulnar loop
Radial loop
Finger 3
(8)
Finger 4
(8)
Double loop
whorl
Central Pocket
loop whorl
Finger 5
(4)
W / D C
Finger 6
(4)
Plain Arch
Accidental
Whorl
Finger 7
(2)
Finger 8
(2)
Tented Arch
Plain whorl
Finger 9
(1)
Finger 10
(1)
Double
A X T W D
Primary
P = 1 + 0 + 8 + 0 + 0 + 1 = 10
1 + 16 + 0 + 4 + 2 + 1 24
103. The Secondary Division:
• This division is obtain by writing (copying) the
Capital letter symbols (taken from the index
fingers) and the small letters (from the thumb,
middle, ring and little fingers) The letters
includes the following:
• Capital Letters = All letters appearing at the
index finger with the right index as the
numerator and left index as the denominator.
(A,T,U,R,W,C,D,X).
• Small letters (rat) = Only letters r (radial), a
(plain arch) and t (tented arch are include.
104. U
Ulnar
Finger1
(16)
Finger 2
(16)
Double Whorl
R
Radial
Finger 3
(8)
Finger 4
(8)
Plain Arch
Tented Arch
Finger 5
(4)
D / A T
Finger 6
(4)
R
Radial
Plain Whorl
Finger 7
(2)
Finger 8
(2)
Central Pocket
Whorl
Plain Arch
Finger 9
(1)
Finger 10
(1)
Plain Whorl
W W A W
Illustration of Secondary Division
Primary Division Secondary Division
P= 1 + 16 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 20 S = Drat
1 0 + 0 + 0 + 2 + 0 3 rWa
105. Sub Secondary Division
• Sub-Secondary Divisions is derived by
ridge counting a loop and ridge tracing a
whorl appearing at the Index, Middle and
Ring fingers only. It is represented by only
letters using the I-M-O System for the
Whorl and the I – 0 System for the Loop.
• It only shows that arches (plain and
tented arch) are not included in the ridge
counting and tracing but it is represented
by a symbol dash (-).
106. • Whorl Patterns: Plain, Central, Double or
Accidental whorls will be ridge traced and the
result will either be Inner (I), Outer (O) or a
Meeting (M).
• Loop Patterns: Radial and Ulnar will be ridge
counted and the answer will be dependent on
what finger they appear.
• Index finger 1-9 = I
10 or More =0
• Middle Finger 1-10 = I
11 or more = 0
• Ring finger 1-13 = I
14 or more = 0
108. Major Division
• Is similar in process as the sub secondary
division though it is applies to the thumbs
only and ridge counting has been
modified.
• Whorl Patterns = Ridge tracing = I,O,M.
• Loop Patterns = Ridge Counting = S,M,L.
• Arch Patterns = Dash (-)
109. Tables for Loop patterns:
Table A Table B
1-11 = S 1-17 =S
12-16 = M 18-22 =M
17 or more =L 23 or more =L
Table A is used both on the left thumb and
right thumb if they are both loops and the
ridge count of the left thumb does not
reached or exceed 17. If the left thumb
reached 17 or more, it is classified, as
Exceptional, and the Table B will now be
used only for the right thumb.
110.
111. Final Division
• Is the division in the classification formula
that is derived from the two (2) little
fingers. The results of the ridge counting of
a loop or Whorl will be exhibited at the
extreme right corner of the classification
line. Take note that whorl will be ridge
counted not to be ridge trace.
112. • Loops = to be ridge counted in its
conventional way.
• Whorls
• Plain whorl and Central pocket loop =
will be treated as ULNAR loop for
purposes of ridge counting.
• Double loop whorl = will be ridge counted
as to its top loop.
• Accidental Whorl = Will be ridge counted
in all but the least ridge counts will be
used
113. Key
This division is derived by getting the ridge
count of the first loop formation appearing
in the ten fingers except the two little
fingers, and the result will be exhibited at
the left most top corner of the classification
line. Take note that it is only one and it
should be a numerator not a denominator.
In case of absence of loop, the first whorl
will be ridge counted following the rules of
ridge counting a whorl under final division.
114.
115. Classification of Amputated Finger/s:
In case of missing one or more finger on the
same hand, the pattern of the
corresponding digit of the other hand will
be taken.
When one or more fingers of both hands are
missing, the said same fingers will be
arbitrarily be interpreted as Plain Whorl
with meeting as tracing.
When all fingers of both hands are missing,
they are all to be considered as Meeting
Plain Whorl.
