LESSON TITLE:

Fingerprint Classification: Primary Classification

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the session, the student’s will be able to:
1. Apply the steps in solving primary classification formula
2. Calculate primary classification using the given fingerprint
chart
Fingerprint Classification Formula

● The Henry, Galton, FBI System with Modification and Extension is adopted by
almost all English-speaking countries in the world. The Philippines is using the
system in its locally modified form. This system is derived through a succession of
steps: first is blocking out a set of prints. Blocking out is a process of writing
below each pattern the corresponding symbol of the fingerprint pattern in the
spaces provided in the card conspicuously or in capital letters purposely to
facilitate the attainment of the Primary Classification.
● It is an intimate description of the pattern in a set of fingerprints expressed in
figures and letters.
FINGERPRINT
CARD
Blocking

Ø Indicating the type of pattern by placing at the bottom of each finger block to
reflect the type.

Symbols of the Fingerprint Pattern in Blocks

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
Double Loop Whorl D
Accidental Whorl X
Six (6) Divisions of Classification Formula

1. Primary Classification – PC
2. Secondary Classification – SC
3. Sub-secondary Classification – SSC
ACTUAL
4. Final Classification – FC
5. Major Classification – MC
6. Key Classification – KC

Positions:
Key Major Primary Secondary Sub-Secondary Final

Divisions. Classification Classification Classification Classification

THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Ø The first classification to be dealt with. This is placed between the Major Division and
Secondary Classification.
Ø For the purpose of obtaining the primary classification, numerical numbers are
assigned whenever a whorl pattern appears in ten fingers. A non-whorl pattern that
appears in the finger is disregarded or has no numerical value.
Numerical Pattern Non-numerical pattern
Plain Whorl Radial Loop
Central Pocket Loop Whorl Ulnar Loop

Double Loop Whorl Plain Arch

Accidental Whorl Tented Arch

THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Ø Its finger block is designated with numerical value from finger 1 to 10

starting right thumb up to the left little finger as shown below:

RIGHT HAND

THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

FINGER 1 FINGER 2 FINGER 3 FINGER 4 FINGER 5

LEFT HAND
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER
FINGER 6 FINGER 7 FINGER 8 FINGER 9 FINGER 10
THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Ø The values are designed as follows:

Primary
Pair Number Finger Name
Value
Pair 1 Right Thumb & Index (fingers 1 and 2) 16
Pair 2 Right Middle & Ring (fingers 3 and 4) 8
Pair 3 Right Little & Left Thumb (fingers 5 and 6) 4
Pair 4 Left Index & Middle (fingers 7 and 8) 2
Pair 5 Left Ring & Little (fingers 9 and 10) 1
THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Ø Example:
RIGHT HAND
(1) THUMB (2) INDEX (3) MIDDLE (4) RING (5) LITTLE FINGER
16 16 8 8 4

Plain Whorl Ulnar Loop Accidental Whorl Tented Arch Central Pocket
Loop

LEFT HAND
(6) THUMB (7) INDEX (8) MIDDLE (9) RING (10) LITTLE FINGER
4 2 2 1 1

Radial Loop Double Loop Plain Whorl Central Pocket Plain Arch
Whorl Loop Whorl
THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Ø The sum of all numerical values for fingers 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 (even numbers)
are for numerator while fingers 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 (odd numbers) are for
denominator. An arbitrary count of one is always added to the sum of the
numerator and the denominator to avoid a classification of “zero over zero.”

N Right Index (2) Right Ring (4) Left Thumb (6) Left Middle (8) Left Little Finger (10) 1
+ 1
D Right Thumb (1) Right Middle (3) Right Little Finger (5) Left Index (7) Left Ring (9)
 THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION
RIGHT HAND
(1) THUMB (2) INDEX (3) MIDDLE (4) RING (5) LITTLE FINGER
16 16 8 8 4
N = 0+0+0+2+0 1
+
Plain Whorl Ulnar Loop Accidental Whorl Tented Arch Central Pocket
D = 16+8+4+2+1 1
Loop 3
LEFT HAND = 32
(6) THUMB (7) INDEX (8) MIDDLE (9) RING (10) LITTLE FINGER
4 2 2 1 1 Primary Classification
is 3/32

Radial Loop Double Loop Plain Whorl Central Pocket Plain Arch
Whorl Loop Whorl
Computation:
Even Numbers N = 2+4+6+8+10 1 Formula
Odd Numbers D = 1+3+5+7+9
+ 1
THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

Ø Here’s another one. We will try it with no numerical value shown on the upper part of
the table.
RIGHT HAND
(1) THUMB (2) INDEX (3) MIDDLE (4) RING (5) LITTLE FINGER
N = 16+0+4+0+0 1
+
t W w a r D = 0+8+0+0+1 1
LEFT HAND 21
=
(6) THUMB (7) INDEX (8) MIDDLE (9) RING
(10) LITTLE 10
FINGER
Primary Classification
W U r w a is 21/10
Computation:
Even Numbers N = 2+4+6+8+10 1 Formula
Odd Numbers D = 1+3+5+7+9 1
THE PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

● Last example. Here we will try to compute the primary classification using the actual fingerprint
pattern.
RIGHT HAND

THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

N = 16+0+4+2+0 1
+
D = 16+8+0+0+0 1
23
=
LEFT HAND 25
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER
Primary Classification
is 23/25
ACTIVITY!
ACTIVITY!
ACTIVITY!
ACTIVITY!
 LESSON TITLE:
FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION FORMULA:

Secondary Classification

Lesson Objectives:

At the end of the session, the student’s will be able to:

1. Apply procedure in classifying fingerprint

2. Determine secondary classification

The Secondary Classification

After the primary classification, the fingerprints are subdivided further by using a
secondary classification. It appears beside the primary classification. Before
going to the details, it should be noted that after the primary classification is
obtained the entire remaining classification will be based upon the arrangement
of the impression appearing in the right hand as numerator and those appearing
on the left hand are denominators. The arrangement of even and uneven fingers
is disregarded after the primary classification is obtained.
CAPITAL LETTER GROUP

ü The secondary classification in the formula is composed of capital

letters representing the basic types of patterns appearing in the index
fingers of each hand. The right index becomes the numerator and the left
index becomes the denominator.
ü A combination of the following symbols may come out:

Plain Arch ---- A

Tented Arch ---- T
Radial Loop ---- R
Ulnar Loop ---- U
Plain Whorl ---- W
Central Pocket Loop whorl ---- C
Double Loop Whorl ---- D
Accidental Whorl ---- X
SMALL LETTER GROUP

ü Prints with a plain arch (a) or tented arch (t) in any finger or a radial loop (r) 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 finger. 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.
Example
NUMERATOR (RIGHT HAND)
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

Radial Loop Ulnar Loop Tented Arch Plain Whorl Accidental

DENOMINATOR (LEFT HAND)
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

Ulnar Loop Double Loop Plain Arch Radial Loop Plain Whorl

The secondary classification is:

NUMERATOR (RIGHT HAND)
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

r U t - -
DENOMINATOR (LEFT HAND)
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

- D a r -

rUt--

-Dar-
Example
RIGHT HAND
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

a R w a r
LEFT HAND
THUMB INDEX MIDDLE RING LITTLE FINGER

/ W r W a
The secondary classification is:

aR-ar

-Wr-a
Practice Exercise
Practice Exercise
Practice Exercise
 LESSON TITLE:
Sub Secondary and Major Classification

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the session, the student’s will be able to:
1. Apply procedure in classifying fingerprint
2. Calculate Sub- Secondary and Major classification
The Sub-secondary Classification (SSC)
ü The sub-secondary classification (grouping of loop and whorls): In classification
prints it is necessary to subdivide the secondary groups.
ü This is accomplished by grouping according to the ridge count of loops and the ridge
tracing of whorls. The sub-secondary classification is placed right beside the
secondary classification.
ü This classification is only applicable in fingers; right index, right middle, right ring as
the numerator and left index, left middle and left ring as denominator.
NUMERATOR RIGHT HAND
INDEX (2) MIDDLE (3) RING (4)
DENOMINATOR LEFT HAND
INDEX (7) MIDDLE (8) RING (9)
The Sub-secondary Classification (SSC)
ü In order to get the sub-secondary classification, the examiner must first do ridge
counting for loop patterns and tracing for whorl pattern.

ü RIDGE COUNTING: For the purpose of infirmity, a definite number of ridge counts
is established and is assigned to each of the fingers involved. This designated
number of ridges is the same and utilized in both hands, but varies for different
fingers. Index fingers: 1 – 9 ridges = I (Inner)
10 or more ridges = O (Outer)
Middle fingers: 1 – 10 ridges = I (Inner)
11 or more ridges = O (Outer)
Ring fingers: 1 – 13 ridges = I (Inner)
14 or more ridges = O (Outer)
EXAMPLE
ü Sub-secondary Classification for LOOPS

Index fingers: 1 – 9 ridges = I (Inner)

10 or more ridges = O (Outer)
Middle fingers: 1 – 10 ridges = I (Inner)
11 or more ridges = O (Outer)
Ring fingers: 1 – 13 ridges = I (Inner)
14 or more ridges = O (Outer)

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary

1 rR--- IOI

5 rUr-r IOO
Sub-secondary Classification for WHORLS
EXAMPLE
ü For whorl tracing, these are the following
rules:
1. Three or more ridges above the right
delta is “I” (Inner) tracing;
2. zero, one or two ridges is “M”
(Meeting) tracing;
3. three or more ridges below the right
delta is “O” (Outer) tracing.
Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final
secondary

27 rW--- IOO

16 rX--r OMI
Sub-secondary Classification for ARCHES

EXAMPLE
ü In obtaining the sub-secondary
for arches, the same rule governs
which uses the index, middle and
ring fingers of both hands.
However, a “dash” (–) is use to
indicate the absence of ridge
counting for loop patterns or
ridge tracing for whorl patterns.
Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final
secondary

1 rAttr ---

1 rAatr ---
The Major Division (MD)

ü The major classification is placed just to the left of the primary classification in
the classification formula.
1. Where whorls appear in the thumb, the major classification reflects the whorl
tracing just like the sub-secondary for whorls does. I M O
2. When arches appear in any of the thumb, the rules on small letter group shall be
followed as in sub-secondary. DASH “-”
3. Where loops appear in the thumbs, a table is used to translate the ridge counts
into “S” (Small); “M” (Medium); and “L” (Large). In a set of prints having loop
patterns in both thumbs, the ridge count of the left thumb governs the symbol for
the right thumb.
Major Division for LOOPS

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary

M 9 rR--r IOO

S 3 rXr-a OOO
Major Division for LOOPS

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary

L 11 rU--- IIO

M 15 rX--r OOI
Major Division for Whorls

ü For whorl tracing, these are the following

rules:
1. Three or more ridges above the right
delta is “I” (Inner) tracing;
2. zero, one or two ridges is “M”
(Meeting) tracing;
3. three or more ridges below the right
delta is “O” (Outer) tracing.
Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final
secondary

O 13 -R--r IOO

M 19 -Xr-a OOI
Major Division for Arches

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary

- 9 tR--r IOO

- 3 aXr-a OOI
ACTIVITY 1

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
ACTIVITY 2

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
ACTIVITY 3

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
 LESSON TITLE:
Final and Key Classification

Lesson Objectives:
At the end of the session, the student’s will be able to:
1. Apply procedure in classifying fingerprint pattern
using Henry System
2. Compare final and key classification
The Final Classification (FC)
Do not be confused. According to Dr. Alfredo Kahanding, the Chief of Dactyloscopy
Division of NBI-HQ, the Final classification is obtained only after obtaining the Major
Division. This is obtained upon the ridge count of the loop in the right little finger or both
the little fingers. It is indicated on the extreme right of the classification formula.
RIGHT HAND
Little Finger
10 ridge count

R Final Classification: 10/6

LEFT HAND
Little Finger
6 ridge count

U
The Final Classification (FC)
RULES:
1. If a loop does not appear in the right little finger, a loop in the left little finger may be
used. It is then indicated at the extreme right of the denominator.

RIGHT HAND
Little Finger

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

D secondary
LEFT HAND
Little Finger
6 ridge count
6

U
The Final Classification (FC) Core

Left Delta
RIGHT HAND
RULES: Little Finger

2. If no loops are present in the

little fingers, a whorl may be Final Classification: 15/7

used to obtain a final

classification. Ridge count is then
LEFT HAND
conducted from left delta to the Little Finger

core if in the right hand; and

from right delta to the core if in Core
left hand.
Right Delta
 Core Core
The Final Classification (FC)
Left Delta Core
RIGHT HAND
RULES: Little Finger

3. If there are two or more cores

Final Classification: 5/3
(usually in the accidental whorls),
the ridge count is made from left
delta (right hand) or right delta LEFT HAND
Little Finger
(left hand) to the core which is
the least number of ridges
Core
distant from the delta.
Core Right Delta
Core
 Core

The Final Classification (FC)

Core
Left Delta RIGHT HAND
RULES: Little Finger

4. In double loop whorl, it is

Final Classification: 5/3
counted from the delta to the
core of the upright loop.
Core
Core LEFT HAND
Little Finger

Right Delta
 Core

The Final Classification (FC)

Core
Left Delta RIGHT HAND
RULES: Little Finger

5. Where loops of a double loop

whorl are horizontal, the nearest
core is used.
Core
Core LEFT HAND
Little Finger

Right Delta
The Final Classification (FC)
RIGHT HAND
RULES: Little Finger
6. Should both little fingers be plain
arches or tented arches, no final Final Classification: -/-

classification is used therefore, a dash

(–) is used.
7. If the little fingers are amputated or LEFT HAND
Little Finger
missing at birth, the final classification
is considered “M” (Meeting) because
the fingers are referenced to a whorl.
PRACTICE EXERCISE 1

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
PRACTICE EXERCISE 2

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
The Key Classification (K)
Ø This classification represents the ridge count of the first loop appearing
in a set of prints, beginning with the thumb of the right hand but
excluding the right and left little fingers.
Ø The key, no matter where it is found, is always placed to the extreme left
of the numerator of the classification.
Ø In case no loops appear in a set of prints except in the little fingers,
ridge count on the first whorl is applied.
Ø If no loop or whorl appears, key is unobtainable therefore a dash is used.
EXAMPLE

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
EXAMPLE

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary
EXAMPLE

Key Major Primary Secondary Sub- Final

secondary