Sir Edward Richard Henry developed the Henry Classification System for fingerprints in 1897, which organizes fingerprints into ten categories based on patterns and ridge counts. The system includes primary, major, secondary, sub-secondary, second sub-secondary, final, and key classifications to systematically classify and differentiate fingerprint patterns. The document outlines the detailed methodology for each classification stage and provides examples of calculations for effective fingerprint identification.

1. SIR E. R. HENRY’S FINGERPRINT
CLASSIFICATION
Dr. Pramod S G

2. INTRODUCTION
In 1897, Sir Edward Richard Henry, the
Inspector General of Police in Bengal, India
and two Indian Police Officers named Khan
Bahadur Azizul Haque & Rai Bahadur Hem
Chandra Bose, deviced a classification
system, at Scottland Yard, which is known
as Ten Digit Classification System or Henry
Classification System.

3. THE CLASSIFICATION FORMULA IS DIVIDED INTO
7 DIVISIONS
1) Primary classification system
2) Major divisions system
3) Secondary classification system
4) Sub-secondary classification system
5) Second sub-secondary classification
system
6) Final classification system and
7) Key classification system

4. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
 Used for all 10 fingers
 Firstly, we assign a value for all ten fingers,
starting from Right Thumb to Left Little, in
the following manner
 Right Thumb – 1 Left Thumb –
6
 Right Index – 2 Left Index – 7
 Right Middle -3 Left Middle –
8
 Right Ring – 4 Left Ring – 9
 Right Little -5 Left Little - 10

5. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Now all ten fingers are grouped in 5 pairs –
• First Pair - Right Thumb & Right Index
• Second Pair - Right Middle & Right Ring
• Third Pair - Right Little & Left Thumb
• Fourth Pair - Left Index & Left Middle
• Fifth Pair - Left Ring & Left Little

6. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Now,we assign a numeric value for all 10 fingers on the
basis of (Whorl & Composite Pattern) and non-numeric
value for (Loop & Arch Pattern), in the following
manner:
• If the pattern is numeric then the value given is
• For 1 pair - 16
• For 2nd pair - 8
• For 3rd pair - 4
• For 4th pair - 2
• For 5th pair - 1
• If the pattern is non-numeric than 0 is given for that
finger.

7. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
In a finger print slip the impressions are taken in the
order as indicated below:
Now all even number fingers are placed in numerator
and odd number fingers are placed in denominator like:
2nd + 4th + 6th + 8th + 10th + 1
------ ------ ----- ------ ------ -----
1st + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th + 1
Right
Thumb
Right Index Right
Middle
Right Ring Right Little
Left Thumb Left Index Left Middle Left Ring Left Little

8. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Now 1 is added in both numerator and
denominator to avoid the situation 0/0.
2nd + 4th + 6th + 8th + 10th + 1
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ ----
-
1st + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th + 1

9. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Therefore, if there are Loop & Arch Patteren are present in
the 10 fingers, the primary classification is 1/1 rather than
0/0.
0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1 1
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- = ----
0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1 1
• If every finger on the tenprint card is a whorl pattern, the
primary classification is 32/32.
16 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 32
---- ---- ---- ---- ---- ---- = ----
16 + 8 + 6 + 4 + 2 + 1 32
• There are, in fact, 1024 possible variants of the primary
classification component of the formula

10. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
For Example:
Right Thumb
-1
Whorl
Ridge count
– 16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle
– 3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring –
4
Whorl
Ridge count
- 8
Whorl type -
o
Right Little –
5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle –
8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count -
9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

11. 1. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
2nd + 4th + 6th + 8th + 10th + 1
------ ------ ------ ------ ------ =
1st + 3rd + 5th + 7th + 9th + 1
Ulnar loop + Whorl + Twinned loop + Ulnar loop + Tented Arch
+ 1
------------- -- ------------ ------------ ---------
----------- ---- =
Whorl + Ulnar loop + Tented Arch + Ulnar loop + Central P loop
+ 1
0 + 8 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 1 13
---- ---- --- --- ---- --- = ------
16 + 0 + 0 + 0 + 1 + 1 18

12. 2. MAJOR DIVISIONS SYSTEM
Major division system is done for thumb of both hands (right thumb and left
thumb).
• Then, the type of pattern on right thumb is taken as numerator and left
thumb for denominator.
Right thumb
--------------------
Left thumb
•Now, the counting is done in loop patterns and tracing is done for whorl
patterns. And then, on the basis of this the pattern are classified as Inner,
Meeting & Outer. the loop pattern is divided in Inner, Meeting & Outer on the
basis of ridge count in the following manner-
If, ridge count is 1 to12 - 'I' type
If, ridge count 13 to19 - 'M' type.
If, ridge count is 20 and above - 'O' type.
So the value of this classification fluctuate between I/I to O/O.

13. 2. MAJOR DIVISIONS SYSTEM
For Example:
Right thumb Whorl I
-------------------- ---------- = ----
Left thumb Twinned loop I
(R. C – 12)
Right Thumb -
1
Whorl
Ridge count –
16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle –
3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring – 4
Whorl
Ridge count -
8
Whorl type - o
Right Little –
5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle – 8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count - 9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

14. 3. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
This classification is done for index fingers of both hands (right index & left
index).
• The finger of right hand is taken as numerator while the finger of left hand is
taken as denominator.
Right Index
-----------------
Left Index
• In this, the pattern appearing on both fingers are written in symbolic capital
letter as follows
• Plain Arch – A • Radial Loop - RAccidental – X
• Central Pocket Loop – C • Double loop (Twinned Loop & Lateral Pocket
Loop) – S
• Tented Arch-T • Whorl -W
• Ulnar Loop – U
• Thus the secondary formula for any individual would fluctuate between A/A
type to X/X, and total possible combinations for this classification.in 64

15. 3. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
For Example :
Right Index Ulnar loop U
----------------- ----------------- = -------
Left Index Ulnar loop U
Right Thumb
-1
Whorl
Ridge count –
16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle
– 3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring –
4
Whorl
Ridge count -
8
Whorl type - o
Right Little –
5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle – 8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count -
9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

16. 4. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
• In this classification, three fingers (Index, Middle &
Ring fingers) are considered.
• The fingers of right hand are taken as numerator while
the fingers of left hand are taken as denominator.
Right Index Right Middle Right Ring
--------------------------------------------------------
Left Index Left Middle Left Ring
Ridge counting or tracing is performed for loop and
whorl patterns respectively, in the following manner-
For Index Finger : Ridge Count b/w 1-5 is Inner (I)
Ridge Count b/w 6-12 is Meeting (M)
Ridge Count 13 & above is Outer (0)

17. 4. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
For middle Finger:
Ridge Count b/w 1-6 is Inner (I)
Ridge Count b/w 7-13 is Meeting (M)
Ridge Count 14 & above is Outer (O)
For Ring Finger:
Ridge Count b/w 1-7 is Inner (I)
Ridge Count b/w 8-14 is Meeting (M)
Ridge Count 15 & above is Outer (O)

18. 4. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
The Whorls are grouped into Inner(I), Meeting(M), &
Outter (O) types according to their tracing.
When Arch pattern is present then it is considered as
Inner(I), In case of composite it is considered as Outter
(O).
Right Thumb -
1
Whorl
Ridge count –
16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle –
3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring – 4
Whorl
Ridge count -
8
Whorl type - o
Right Little – 5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle – 8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count - 9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

19. 4. SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
RI RM RR U.Loop U.Loop Whorl
------------------ --------------------------------------
LI LM LR U.Loop U.Loop CP Loop
R.C(16) R.C(8) R.C(3) OMO
-------------------------------------- --------
R.C(10) R.C (14) R.C(0) MOO

20. 5. SECOND SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM
In this, middle and ring fingers of both hands are used
for classification.
• The fingers of right hand are taken as numerator while
the fingers of left hand are taken as denominator.
Right Middle Right Ring
---------------------------------------
Left Middle Left Ring
The pattern appearing fingers are written in symbolic
small letters as follows –
 Plain Arch-a Whorl-w
 Tented Arch-t Central Pocket Loop-c
 Ulnar Loop – u Radial Loop-r
• Double loop (Twinned Loop &Lateral Pocket Loop) –s
• Accidental - x

21. 5. SECOND SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEM
For Example:
R. Middle R. Ring U. loop Whorl uw
----------------------------- ------------------------ -------
L. Middle L. Ring U. loop C.P loop uc
Right Thumb -
1
Whorl
Ridge count –
16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle –
3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring – 4
Whorl
Ridge count -
8
Whorl type - o
Right Little –
5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle – 8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count - 9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

22. 6. FINAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
This classification is done for the little fingers of both
hands.
• The finger of right hand is taken as numerator while
the finger of left hand is taken as denominator.
Right Little
----------------
Left Little
• In this classification ridge count is done for loop and
whorl pattern.
• In case of loop patterns the ridges are counted in the
usual manner i.e between the core and the delta.

23. 6. FINAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
Ridge count in Whorl & double loop pattern:
Ridge count in whorl pattern –
• The ridges of a whorl are to be counted from left delta
to the core in case of right little finger and from right
delta to the core in case of left little finger.
• Ridge count in double loop pattern –
• In case of double loop patterns the ridges are to be
counted between the left delta and the core of the
ascending loop for right little finger and between right
delta and the core of the ascending loop for left little
finger.
• And the number of ridge count is placed.

24. 6. FINAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
For Example:
R. Little Tented Arch
------------ -------------------- ----
L. Little Tented Arch
Since, we cannot trace or count the ridges on Arches, the result is
not considered.
Right Thumb -
1
Whorl
Ridge count –
16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle –
3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring – 4
Whorl
Ridge count -
8
Whorl type - o
Right Little –
5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle – 8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count - 9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

25. 7. KEY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
On right thumb only
• Starting from the right thumb the first loop
appearing on the finger is counted except the
little fingers of both hands.
• And the number of ridge count is placed at
the extreme left in the Henry classification.

26. 7. KEY CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
For Example:
Right Thumb
First appearing loop is on Right index finger, so ridge
count is done on this finger for loop pattern.
Ridge count - 16
Right Thumb -
1
Whorl
Ridge count –
16
Whorl type - I
Right Index –
2
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
16
Right Middle –
3
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
8
Right Ring – 4
Whorl
Ridge count -
8
Whorl type - o
Right Little –
5
Tented Arch
Left Thumb - 6
Twinned loop
Ridge count -
12
Left Index – 7
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
10
Left Middle – 8
Ulnar loop
Ridge count -
14
Left Ring – 9
Central pocket
loop
Ridge count - 9
Left Little – 10
Tented Arch

27. HENRY’S TEN DIGIT CLASSIFICATION RESULTS
1) Primary classification system = 13/18
2) Major divisions system = I/I
3) Secondary classification system = U/U
4) Sub-secondary classification system = OMO/MOO
5) Second sub-secondary classification system = uw/uc
6) Final classification system = No result due to Arch
pattern
7) Key classification system = 16

28. HENRY’S TEN DIGIT CLASSIFICATION RESULTS
Class:
16 13 I U OMO uw
18 I U MOO uc
Key Primary Major Secondary Sub-
Secondary
Second Sub -
Secondary

29. THANK YOU
Dr. Pramod S G