Chapter 3

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION FORMULA

Lesson 1
Fingerprint Classification
 Means the sorting of things into divisions or groups for easy and fast location. In
fingerprint science, it refers to the arrangement of fingerprint records into groups of
sub- groups for filing purposes. The main purpose of a classification system is to
facilitate the filing, searching and retrieval of fingerprint records.
Classification Formula
 The Henry –System with the FBI Modification and Extension is adopted by almost all
English-speaking countries. The Philippines also using this system.
HENRY – GALTON SYSTEM FBI-MODIFICATION AND EXTENSION
• Primary Division • Major Division
• Secondary Division • Key Division
• Sub-secondary Division
• Final Division

Blocking Out
 This is the 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.
Division of the Classification Formula
1. Primary Classification
2. Secondary Classification
a. Capital Letter Group
b. Small Letter Group
3. Sub-secondary Classification
4. Major Classification
5. Final Classification
6. Key Classification

Position of Fingerprint Classification Result in the Classification Line

1. Primary Classification
This is the result of the summation of all numeral values assigned to whorls (plain, central
pocket loop whorl, double loop whorl, and accidental whorl), appearing in a fingerprint chart
(ten fingerprints) which are expressed as numerators and denominators plus the pre-
established fraction of one or over one (1/1).
Division of Patterns as to Numerical Values
1. Patterns with numerical values-all whorl type patterns.
2. Patterns without numerical- arches and loop patterns.

Four Steps to Attain the Primary Classification

1. Pairing- the ten fingerprints from the corresponding fingers are divided into pairs, totaling 5
pairs in all.
A. First pair- are composed of the right thumb and the right index finger
B. Second pair- are composed of the right middle finger and the right ring finger.
C. Third pair- are composed of the right little finger and the left thumb.
D. Fourth pair- are composed of the left index and the left middle finger
E. Fifth pair- are composed of the left ring finger and the left little finger.
2. Assigning Numerical Values to Whorl Pattern Only
These numerical values assigned to the corresponding fingers are permanent.
A. First Pair- have a numerical value of (16) for each whorl.
B. Second Pair- have a numerical value of eight (8) for each whorl.
C. Third Pair- have a numerical value of (4) for each whorl.
D. Fourth Pair- have a numerical value of two (2) for each whorl.
E. Fifth Pair- have numerical value of one (1) for each whorl.
Note: Arches and Loops has NO Value (0/Zero) Whorl Only
3. Knowing the Numerators and Denominators in the Pairs
The first pattern of every pair is the denominator while the second pattern of the pair is
the numerator. There are five numerators and five denominators in the pairs in set of ten
fingerprints.
Numerators: (even numbers of your fingers) 2,4, 6, 8 10
Denominators: (odd Numbers of fingers) 1, 3,5,7,9
RIGHT THUMB RIGHT INDEX RIGHT MIDDLE RIGHT RING RIGHT LITTLE
1
W W W W W
1 2 3 4 5
(16) (16) (8) (8) (4)
LEFT THUMB LEFT INDEX LEFT MIDDLE LEFT RING LEFT LITTLE

W W W W W
6 7 8 9 10
(4) (2) (2) (1) (1)

16+0+4+2+1+1-Pre-established = 24
16+0+0+0+0+1- Pre-established= 17
RIGHT THUMB RIGHT INDEX RIGHT MIDDLE RIGHT RING RIGHT LITTLE

W W A U U
1 2 3 4 5
LEFT THUMB LEFT INDEX LEFT MIDDLE LEFT RING LEFT LITTLE

X U D T C
6 7 8 9 10

End of LESSON 1

Lesson 2

2. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION

A. Capital Letter Group

The secondary classification is symbolized by capital letters of the patterns represented by the
two index fingers after the primary classification in the classification line. The fingerprint
pattern appearing on the right index finger is the numerator while the fingerprint pattern from
the left index finger is the denominator.

Symbols for Capital Letter Group

➤ 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

B. Small Letter Group

This classification refers to the three types of fingerprint patterns only: namely the plain arch,
tented arch, and radial loop. Whenever any or all these patterns appear in any finger/s,
excluding the two index fingers, its symbol in small letter is exhibited in the classification as: "a"
for plain arch, "t" for tented arch, and "r" for radial loop, before and/ or after the secondary
classification by capital letters, depending on the finger or origin. The four fingers from the right
hand are the numerators while the other four fingers from the left hand are the denominators.
BLOCKING – SYMBOLS
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 LOOP WHORL-X

End of LESSON 2

Lesson 3:
SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
This is derived through the process of ridge counting the loops or ridge tracing the whorl
type patterns appearing on the Index fingers of both right and left hands. Whenever loop
patterns are shown on the above-mentioned fingers, each should be ridge counted and the
result of such count in number be displayed on the right upper corner of the block were found
and later on represented by a letter symbol (I or O) in the classification line based on the inner
and outer group division table for ridge counts of loops.
 Whorls are ridge traced and the result so much tracing is represented by the letter
symbols I, O. M (Inner, Outer, or Meeting) on the table for symbols of whorls for ridge tracing.
The letter symbols are then placed on the right upper corner of the blocks were found and
later, the same symbols are exhibited on the classification line.
Under this classification, the right Index, middle, and ring fingers are the numerators
while the opposite fingers from the left hand are the demonstrators. The plain arch and tented
arch are ridge counted, nor ridge traced. They are merely represented by a dash (-) on the
classification line.

Rules for Ridge Count of Loops and their Symbols Inner "I" and Outer "O".
1. A ridge count of one to nine (1-9) inclusive of each index finger is "inner" and is symbolized
by capital letter "I", while a count of ten (10) or more ridges is "outer" symbolized by capital
letter "O". Letter symbol should be exhibited on the classification line only.
2. A ridge count of one to ten (1-10) inclusive of each middle finger is "inner" and is symbolized
by capital letter "I" while a count of eleven (11) or more ridges is "outer" and symbolized by
capital letter "O". Letter symbols should be exhibited on the classification line only.
3. A ridge count of one to thirteen (1-13) inclusive of each ring finger is "inner" and symbolized
by capital letter "I", while count of fourteen (14) or more ridges is "outer" and is symbolized by
capital letter "O". Letter symbols should be exhibited on the classification line only.

Symbols for Whorls as a Result of Ridge Tracing

1. When the ridge being traced from the left delta to the right delta passes inside or in front of
the right delta and there are three (3) or more intervening ridges between the traced ridge and
the right delta, the result of the tracing is known as "Inner" and represented by capital letter "".
The symbols are exhibited on the right upper corner of the block were found and on the
classification.
2. When the ridge being traced passes outside or below the right delta and there are three (3)
or more ridges intervening between the traced ridge and the right delta, the result of the
tracing is known as "outer" and represented by capital letter "O". The symbol is exhibited on
the right upper corner of the block were found and on the classification line.
3. When the ridge being traced passes on either inside or outside of the right delta and there is
delta (2) or less ridges intervening between the traced ridge outside of the delta or it meets the
right delta, the result of the tracing is known as "meeting" and is represented by capital letter
"M". The symbol is exhibited on the right upper comer of the block were found and also on the
classification line.
3. An accidental whorl must be ridge counted the extreme corresponding delta to the nearest
core or least number of ridge count.

Example:
RIGHT THUMB RIGHT INDEX RIGHT MIDDLE RIGHT RING RIGHT LITTLE
1 10 11 20

1-9: I 1-10: I 1-13: I 5

1 10 above: O 11 Above 14 Above: O

R U U
2 3 4
LEFT THUMB LEFT INDEX LEFT MIDDLE LEFT RING LEFT LITTLE
8 15 16

6 U R R 10
8 9
7
Solution:
OOO
IOO

End of LESSON 3

Lesson 4: Major Classification

 The major classification is quite similar in derivation to the sub- secondary classification
though it applies only to thumbs. This is done by ridge counting the loops and ridge tracing the
whorls appearing on the thumbs. The result of the ridge count of the loop is exhibited on the
right upper comer of the block where that loop is found and later on is expressed by a letter
symbol in the classification line. The whorls are ridge traced, as is done in the sub- secondary
classification and the letter symbol is represented on the right upper corner of the block were
found and is also exhibited on the classification line. The plain arch and tented arch are neither
ridge counted nor ridge traced. They are merely represented by a dash (-) on the classification
line. Two sets of tables for symbols are used in loops whenever both loop patterns are
appearing in the thumbs. The place for the symbol of the major division is on the left side of the
primary in the classification line. The right thumb is the numerator while the left thumb is the
denominator.

Table 1 or A- Ridge Count and Letter Symbols for Loops

1. A ridge count of one to eleven (1-11), inclusive, is "small". it is represented by capital letter
"S".
2. A ridge count of twelve to sixteen (12-16), inclusive, is "medium", it is represented by capital
letter "M".
3. A ridge count of seventeen (17) or more, inclusive, is "large", it is represented by capital
letter "L". NOTE: Table 1 or A should be applied in loop patterns with any combination
possessed by opposite thumb such as loop, arch, and whorls. In case of loop-to-loop
combination appearing on two thumbs provided the number of ridge count from left thumb is
less than seventeen (17).
NOTE: Table 1 or A should be applied in loop patterns with any combination possessed by
opposite thumbs such as loop, arch, and whorls. In case of loop-loop combination appearing on
two thumbs provided the number of ridge count from left thumb is less than seventeen (17).
Table 2 or B- Ridge Count and Letter Symbols for Loops
1. A ridge count of one to seventeen (1-17), Inclusive, is “small”. Is represented by capital letter
“S”.
2. A ridge count of eighteen to twenty-two (18-22), inclusive is “medium”. It is represented by
capital letter “M”.
3. A ridge count of twenty-three (23) or more, inclusive, is “large”. it is represented by capital
letter

NOTE: Table 2 or It should be applied only to the loop from the right thumb when the ridge
count of the loop from the left thumb is seventeen (17) or more.