FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION

CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Sir Richard Edward Henry formulated a classification system of fingerprint that is still widely use today
by many police agency throughout the world. Juan Vucetich on the other hand created an equal-if not
better- method of cataloging fingerprint. The Philippines however, adopted the Henry System of
classification with FBI modification.

Fingerprint classification refers to the formula derived for a complete set of ten fingerprints or the
arrangement of fingerprint records into groups or sub groups for filling purposes.

Below is the classification formula:

K M P S SS F

C C C C

K- KEY

M- MAJOR DIVISION

P- PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION

S- SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

SS- SUB SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

F- FINAL CLASSIFICATION

EXAMPLE:

Key Primary Sub-secondary

18 S 9 Ru IMO 8

M 14 rArr-t IO

Major Secondary Final

REMEMBER!!

Classification can only be done after the ten fingerprint impressions of the subject has been collected
and are properly placed in the fingerprint card.

After collecting it, the first task of the fingerprint technician is to identify the pattern appearing in each
box and labels it with symbol of the pattern that appeared in it, at the lower portion of each box. This is
called “Blocking Out”. Fingerprint patterns are represented with the ff. symbols:

T – Tented Arch C- Central Pocket Loop

R- Radial Loop D- Double Loop
W- Plain Whorl X- Accidental Whorl
Ulnar Loops in all fingers except index fingers are designated by a slanting line in the direction of the
loop. (/ \).
As observed in the classification formula, numerator and denominator are present, and the line found
between them is called classification line. Numerators are those items found at the upper portion or above
the classification line while denominators are those found at the lower portion or below it.
In the fingerprint card, the box assigned to every finger is arranged according to the assigned finger
number of each finger.
Finger no. 1 - Right Thumb
Finger no. 2 - Right Index
Finger no. 3 - Right Middle
Finger no. 4 - Right Ring
Finger no. 5 - Right Little
Finger no. 6 - Left Thumb
Finger no. 7 - Left Index
Finger no. 8 - Left Middle
Finger no. 9 - Left Ring
Finger no. 10 - Left Little

PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION
The Henry System of classification had suggested that the classification should
begin with the primary classification. The Primary Classification is obtained by
summing up or adding all the numerical value of the whorl type of pattern and its
composites that appears in all ten fingers. The sum total of which will then be
added to one (1). ONLY WHORL TYPE of pattern and its composites has a numerical
value in this classification. Some other patterns that will appear in the fingerprint
are disregarded.

The numerical value is constant in every finger.

Right Thumb and Right Index – (Finger 1 and 2) has a numerical value of
16.
Right Middle and Right Ring – (Finger 3 and 4) has a numerical value of 8.
Right Little and Left Thumb – (Finger 5 and 6) has a numerical value of 4.
Left Index and Left Middle- (Finger 7 and 8) has a numerical value of 2.
Left Ring and Left Little – (Finger 9 and 10) has a numerical value of 1.
 In Primary Classification;
Even Fingers are the numerators. While Odd Fingers are the
[Link] not forget the pre- established fraction 1/[Link] total of numerator
and denominator, will be added plus one.(1) This is to avoid a result of zero over
zero, in case in the absence of whorl in all fingers, for often times zero will be easily
confused with letter “O” which represent outer whorl in sub secondary
classification.
Simple mathematical computation will tells us when all fingers composed of
all whorls, the primary classification will be 32 over 32(16 + 8 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 31
plus a constant 1= 32). While in case of no whorl type of pattern will appear in the
fingerprint card, the primary classification will be 1 over 1.
SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
The Secondary classification is placed just to the right of the primary classification. The arrangement
of odd and even finger as denominator and numerator in primary will be discarded during secondary
classification. Fingers that appear in the right hand will become the numerator while fingers that appear
in the opposite hand will be the denominator. For the purposes of obtaining this classification,
secondary classification is divided into two groups:

1. Secondary Capital Letter Group

Is obtained by writing the symbol of the pattern that appeared in the right and left
index(fingers 2 and 7). Only the symbol of the pattern in the index fingers will be brought up to the
classification formula. There are five basic type of patterns which can appear.

A- Plain Arch

T- Tented Arch

R- Radial Loop

U- Ulnar Loop

W- Whorl

Right Index will serve as the numerator while left index is the denominator.

2. Secondary Small Letter Group

Fingeprints with plain arch, tented arch and radial loop in any finger except in index
fingers constitute the secondary small letter group. Meaning only fingers number 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 , 8 , 9 , and
10 are included in this group.

a - plain arch

t- tented arch

r-radial loop

If none of these pattern will appear, a dash(-) will be used to indicated the absence of
such patterns.
 The Secondary classification will be:

aTr-a

-U - -t

SUB- SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

The sub- secondary classification is placed just right to the secondary classification. This classification
concerned only with the index, middle and ring fingers only(Finger 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, ). Just like in secondary
classification, right finger will be the numerator and the left is the denominator. In this classification,
only loops and whorls are considered.
 In order to obtain this classification, the fingerprint classifier must first
count the ridge count of all loops and ridge tracing of a whorls appearing on
the above mentioned fingers.
When loops are present in any six fingers, ridge count is necessary.
Whatever the ridge count, it shall then be referred to the formula assigned
to each fingers. The symbol “I” or “O” representing the ridge count will
then be brought to the classification formula. A special formula should be
used representing the ridge count of the loop.

When whorls are present, whorl tracing will apply to determine whether
it is an inner, outer or meeting whorl. The symbol “I” “M” “O” will be
brought up to the classification formula representing Inner, Meeting, Outer
whorl respectively.
If arch type of pattern appeared in any of thge concerned fingers, it will
be disregarded and a symbol dash(-) will be brought.

THE MAJOR CLASSIFICATION

The Major Division concerned only with the thumbs of both fingers. Right Thumb is the Numerator
while left thumb is the denominator. Major Division is placed at the left of the primary classification. Just
like in sub secondary classification, ridge counting and/or whorl tracing will apply and is concerned only
with loops and whorl type of patterns. Arches are likewise disregarded in this classification. Whols type
of pattern are trace and the symbol of the tracing( I, M, O) will be brought up to the classification line.
At this time, ridge count of the loops will be represented by S, M, L (small, medium and large). The right
thumb has two formulas; either of the formula is use depending on the ridge count of the left thumb.

TABLE 1 TABLE 2

1-11- SMALL “S” 1-17-SMALL “S”

12-16- MEDIUM “M” 18-22- MEDIUM”M”

17 OR MORE- LARGE “L” 23 OR MORE- LARGE “L”

LOOPS

If the Ridge count is Left thumb 1-16,

 Table 1 Right and left thumb

If the Ridge count is Left thumb 17 or more

 Table 1 Left Thumb

 Table 2 Right Thumb

Whorls

INNER (1)- 3 OR MORE INTERVENING RIDGES INSIDE/ABOVE THE RIGHT DELTA

OUTER (O)- 3 OR MORE INTERVENING RIDGES OUTSIDE/BELOW THE RIGHT DELTA

MEETING (M) 0-2 INTEREVENING RIDGES INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE RIGHT DELTA

Therefore, when loop appears on both thumbs there is a need to look into ridge count of the left
hand first before proceeding to the right thumb, since the left thumb will serve as the basis for knowing
which formula to be used for the right thumb. If the pattern that appeared in the right thumb is radial
loop with a ridge count of 15 and the pattern in the left thumb is ulnar loop with a ridge count of 22, the
major division will be:

FINAL CLASSIFICATION
 The Final classification is obtained from the little fingers (Finger no. 5 and 10) The Ridge count of
the loop will be brought up to the classification formula and will be placed at the extreme left of
formula.

Only one finger is necessary in the final classification. If both little fingers are loops, right little finger
or finger no.5. has a priority. Meaning, only the ridge count of the right little will be brought up to the
classification formula, and the ridge count of the left little is no longer needed. However, if the loop
pattern only on the left little finger, then such ridge count will be the final classification.

Unlike in Key classification, Final classification is placed either in the numerator or denominator side
depending on where it is taken from. If the final classification is from right hand, it must be placed above
the classification line or to the numerator side. When it is from the left hand, it must be placed at
denominator side.

If both fingers have no loop, the whorl will be considered. It is only during this time ridge counting
for whorl will apply and not tracing. Ridges of the whorl will be counted from delta to the core. Since
whorl patterns comprises at least two deltas, a whorl on the right little finger is ridge-counted form left
delta to the core, while a whorl on the left little finger is ridge- counted from the right delta towards the
core. A whorl on right little fingers eliminates the need to ridge count a whorl on the left little fingers.

When a loop and a whorl occur, a loop is given a priority. So, there’s no need to count the ridges of
the whorl when a loop pattern appeared in any of the two little fingers.

Example, if finger number 5 is plain whorl and finger number 10 is radial loop having a ridge count
of 11 the final classification would be: 10

11

However,. if the right little finger is loop with a ridge count of 8, while the left is also a loop having a
ridge count of 11 the final classification is: 8

11

THE KEY CLASSIFICATION

The Key classification is placed at the extreme left of the formula or to the left of major division. This
classification is obtain by counting the ridge count of the first loop appearing on the fingerprint card
starting from the right thumb(Finger no. 1 ) down to the last fingers of left hand with the exception of
the little fingers(Fingers no. 5 and 10) since they are used for final classification.

The above statement would mean that whatever the ridge count of the first loop appearing on the
fingerprint card will be brought up to the classification formula. The Key, no matter where found, is
always placed at the numerator or above the classification line.