Fingerprint Patterns

Fingerprints are placed into three different groups: Arches, Loops and Whorls

Types of prints

Latent Prints: A fingerprint made by the deposit of oils and/or perspiration. You cannot readily see this type of print.

Visible Prints: A fingerprint made when the finger deposits a visible material such as ink or blood on to a surface.

Plastic Prints: A fingerprint impressed in a soft surface.

Arches

Ridges enter on one side and exit on the opposite side

Plain Arch Tented Arch

Loops

Ridges enter and exit on the same side Have one Delta

Ulnar Loop Open towards Ulna/pinkie

Radial Loop Open towards radius/thumb

Whorls

Have two deltas

Accidental WhorlDouble Loop Whorl

Did you know?

Koala bears are the only marsupial that have fingerprints.

All primates have fingerprints

Plain Whorl Central Pocket Whorl

Ridge Characteristics

Fingerprints also have minutiae points, which are points where the ridge structure changes. These are useful in matching a fingerprint to a person. Below are several different ridge characteristics that may appear on an individual’s fingerprint pattern.

Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a computerized system capable of reading, classifying, matching and storing fingerprints for law enforcement agencies. It uses computer algorithms to mark all minutia points, cores and deltas on the print, which are used to find possible matches with fingerprints in the data base.

Ridge characteristics from an actual fingerprint

How many ridge characteristics can you find in the print below? Circle and label ridge characteristics you can identify.