Notes: Henry-FBI Classification System
Edward Henry developed a method of classifying fingerprints that was later modified by the FBI. This system
divides all sets of fingerprints into 1024 groups. This is done so that, when an unknown set of fingerprints is
submitted for comparison and identification (such as those of a Jane Doe), most of the millions of sets of prints on file
can be weeded out. Then, only a small amount of sets will actually have to be compared in order to find a match and
identify that individual. Today, computers perform this first major elimination, but after this, manual comparison
must still be performed by an expert.
1.
Right
Thumb
16
Right
Index
16
Right
Middle
8
Right
Ring
8
Right
Little
4
W
W
W
1
4
2
2
Left
Thumb
Left
Index
Left
Middle
Left
Ring
1
Left
Little
Right
Index
16
Right
Middle
8
Right
Ring
8
Right
Little
4
W
W
Right Index
Right Ring
Left Thumb
Left Middle
Left Middle
Right
Thumb
Right Middle
Right Little
Left Index
Left Ring
(+1)
(+1)
=
Henry-FBI
primary
classification #
2.
Right
Thumb
16
W
W
Right
Thumb
Right Middle
Right Little
Left Index
Left Ring
W
4
2
2
Left
Thumb
Left
Index
Left
Middle
Left
Ring
Left
Little
Right
Index
16
Right
Middle
8
Right
Ring
8
Right
Little
4
1
Right Index
Right Ring
Left Thumb
Left Middle
Left Middle
1
(+1)
=
Henry-FBI
primary
classification #
(+1)
3.
Right
Thumb
16
W
W
W
W
4
2
2
Left
Thumb
Left
Index
Left
Middle
1
Left
Ring
1
Left
Little
Right Index
Right Ring
Left Thumb
Left Middle
Left Middle
Right
Thumb
Right Middle
Right Little
Left Index
Left Ring
(+1)
(+1)
=
Henry-FBI
primary
classification #
4.
Right
Thumb
Right
Index
W
Right
Middle
Right
Ring
Right
Little
?
W
(+1)
=
W
Left
Thumb
Left
Index
Left
Middle
Left
Ring
Left
Little
Right
Index
Right
Middle
Right
Ring
Right
Little
?
(+1)
?
(+1)
Henry-FBI
primary
classification #
5.
Right
Thumb
W
W
Left
Thumb
W
W
Left
Index
Left
Middle
Left
Ring
Left
Little
Right
Index
Right
Middle
Right
Ring
Right
Little
=
?
(+1)
?
(+1)
Henry-FBI
primary
classification #
6.
Right
Thumb
W
W
Left
Thumb
W
W
?
W
Left
Index
Left
Middle
Left
Ring
Left
Little
=
(+1)
Henry-FBI
primary
classification #
Name: ____________________________________________ Date: __________________ Class: _________
Fingerprints Classification: Review worksheet
Classify each of the following fingerprints into the correct category & subdivision. (Plain or Tented arch, Ulnar
or Radial loop, Plain whorl, Central pocket loop whorl, Double loop whorl, or Accidental whorl)
Right hand
Left hand
Right hand
Right hand
Left hand
Right hand
Right hand
Left hand
Right hand
Left hand
Left hand
Right hand
Left hand
Left hand
Right hand
Right hand
Right hand
Left hand
Right hand
Left hand