THE FINGERPRINT PATTERNS AND CLASSIFICATION
I. Grouping of the Fingerprint Patterns
In the Henry System, there were nine patterns namely:
a. Plain Arch
b. Tented Arch
c. Exceptional Arch
d. Plain Loop
e. Plain Whorl
f. Lateral Pocket Loop
g. Twinned Loop
h. Central Pocket Loop
i. Accidental Whorl
Later the loops are modified into the ulnar and radial loop varying according to the
direction of the ulna bone or the radius bone.
With much familiarity with this frictions design. We have to know that there are only
three general groups of fingerprint patterns. Each group or family bares the same
characteristics or resemblance. Although this pattern may be further sub-divided. The
following are the list of the modified Henry Classification of Patterns:
They are as follows:
Arch (5%) Loop (60%) Whorl (35%)
Plain Arch Radial Loop Plain Whorl
Tented Arch Ulnar Loop Central Pocket Loop
Double Loop Whorl
Accidental Whorl
II. Definitions of the Basic Fingerprint Pattern Types
1. ARCH
a. Plain Arch- is a pattern in which the ridges flow from one side to the other or flows
towards without the recurving, usually having a slight upward curve in the center,
making the pattern like an arch. No core and no delta.
b. Tented Arch- is a type of pattern where majority of the ridges form an arch. It only
differs from plain arch when one or more ridges at the center shape a tent or make
a rise giving the pattern of a “tent”.
2. LOOP
- A 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.
TWO DIVISIONS OF A LOOP PATTERN
The two divisions of a loop were based on the fact that every human being has in
their forearm two large bones extending from the elbow to the wrist. One is the
RADIUS BONE or the inner bone of the forearm that runs to the wrist on the side
where the thumb is located. The other one also running to the wrist is also located or
situated on the little finger and this is the ULNA BONE.
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.
a. Radial Loop – a loop in which the downward slope or the slanting ridges runs
towards the direction of the thumb.
b. Ulnar Loop - a loop runs towards the direction of the little finger
3. WHORL – refers to a pattern consisting of a core and two (2) deltas.
a. Plain Whorl – a pattern consisting of two deltas and with at least one ridge makes
a turn through one complete circuit. An imaginary line drawn between the two
deltas must touch or cross at least one recurving ridge within the pattern area. The
pattern could be a spiral, oval, circular or any variant of a circle.
Elements of a Plain Whorl:
• Complete circuit
• Two deltas
• At least one circuiting ridge is touched or crossed by an imaginary line
traversing between the two deltas
b. Central Pocket Loop Whorl – a pattern which possess two 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, no recurving ridge
within the pattern area is crossed or touched by an imaginary line drawn between
the two deltas.
Elements of a Central Pocket Loop Whorl:
• At least one recurving ridge or obstruction at right angle
• Two deltas
• No recurving ridge within the pattern area is crossed or touched by an
imaginary line drawn between the two deltas.
c. Double Loop Whorl – this is a pattern consisting of two separate and distinct loop
formation, with sets of shoulders and two deltas.
• The loops do not necessarily have to be of the same length and size.
Elements of Double Loop Whorl:
• Two separate loop formation
• Two separate and distinct sets of shoulders
• Two deltas
d. Accidental Whorl – a pattern consisting of a combination of two different types of
pattern such as a loop and a whorl, a loop and central pocket loop, or any combination
of two different loop and whorl type pattern, but it cannot be a combination of a
plain arch with any other pattern. It can have two or more deltas.
