Fingerprint patterns

Fingerprint Patterns

Fingerprint typesWhile fingerprints are unique to each individual,

there are three general categories that fingerprints can be placed into.Loop: 60-65% of the populationWhorl: 30-35% of the populationArch: up to 5% of the population

All categories are determined by the number of deltas found within the pattern.

About the patternsAny fingerprint pattern which contains 2 or more

delta's will be a whorl pattern.

If a print contains no delta's then it is an arch pattern.

If it contains one (and only one) delta it will be a loop pattern.

Later you will learn that the names are not as strait forward as the rules suggest

General Loop PatternRight Loop starts from the rightLeft Loop starts from the Left

Just One Delta

General Whorl Pattern

Whorls will always have at least 2 valid Deltas located within the print

General Arch Pattern

Arch patterns will have no Deltas

Composite PatternsWithin the general categories, there are several

different types of each print based on some major or minor differences

Tented Arch patterns are steeper than general arch

patterns

General Arch Tented Arch

Double Loop Patterns look very different from left or right

loops and have 2 deltas

Technically this is a double loop whorl

Central Loops/Pocket Loops look similar to whorl patterns but

obviously have a loop from the left or right

Right Pocket Loop Left Pocket Loop

These are technically Left or Right Central Pocket Loop Whorls

Accidental patterns look like an Arch pattern and a loop pattern mixed together. It is also known as a mixed figure

If a pattern does contain more than 2 delta's it will always be an accidental whorl pattern.

AssignmentGet a piece of white paper and put all the prints

from each hand on the paper.

Above each print you need to label the type of print that each finger is.

For your right hand, find and label three points (fork, delta, etc.) within each fingerprint