PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
Prepared by: Moury M. Alunday, Rcrim.
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
A system of recognizing and identifying a particular person based on
his or her characteristics as differentiate from others.
Alphonse Bertillon (1853-1914).

French Police Officer and Biometric Researcher who applied the
anthropological technique of anthropometry to law enforcement
creating an identification system based on physical
measurements.

The father of Personal Identification.

The Father of Mugshot Photography.

He introduced the Anthropometry or human measurement or
Bertillonage.

The Father of Scientific Detection.
SYSTEMS OF PERSONAL
IDENTIFICATION

Branding and Maiming (marking criminals).

Mutilation (thieves).

Tattooing

Visual memories

Photography

Bertillon System: portrait parle, photograph, anthropometry.

Fingerprints.

Etc.
FRICTION RIDGES IDENTIFICATION

Poroscopy. Examination of the shape, size, and arrangement of
the small opening on the ridge through which body fluids are
released.

Chiroscopy. Study of the palms of human hand as a point in
identifying persons.

Podoscopy. Coined by Wilder and Wentworth. The examination of
the soles and their significance in personal identification.

Edgeoscopy. Study of the morphological characteristics of friction
ridges; shape and contour of the edges of friction ridges.

Ridgeology. Describes the individualization process of any area of
friction skin using all available details.
DR. EDMOND LOCARD

He was a pioneer in forensic science who became as the
“Sherlock Holmes of France.”

Father of Forensic Science.

First Police Laboratory in 1910.

Locard’s Exchange Principle

He established the use of “poroscopy” in personal
identification in 1912.

Father of Poroscopy.
FORENSIC SCIENCE
Forensic. Came from the Latin term forensis meaning in open court or
public, the term was derived from the old Latin term forum which
means market place.

Scientific method and investigation to crime.

A relationship with administration of Justice or characteristics to
court and justice.
Forensic Science. The application of scientific techniques and
principles in order to provide evidence to legal or related
investigations or determinations.
CRIMINALISTICS

Comes from the German word Kriminalistik, invented by Austrian criminalist Hans
Gross (1893).

The application of the principles of various sciences in solving problems in
connection with the administration of justice.

A profession or a field of forensic science that deals with recognition, collection,
preservation and examination of physical evidence for the administration of
justice.
Dr. Hans Gustav Adolf Gross.

The father of modern criminalistics.

An Austrian magistrate to described “Search for truth” as the ultimate goal of all
investigative and detective works.

The founder of Criminal Profiling (Offender Profiling).

Father of Criminal Investigation.

Austrian Psychoanalyst.

He founded Institute of Criminalistics

Res Ipsa Loquitor “The thing speaks for itself.”
Dr. Paul Kirk. Father of criminalistics in U.S.
DACTYLOSCOPY

Derived from the Latin word Dactyl (finger) and Skopein (study or
examine.

The science of fingerprint.

The practice of utilizing fingerprints as a means of identification.

Relies on the analysis and classification of patterns observed in individual
prints.
Dactylogram. Specimen of fingerprints.
Dactylography. Is the scientific study of fingerprint as a means of
identification.
Dactylomancy. Scientific study of fingerprint for the purposes of personality
interpretation.
Dermatoglyphics. Science which deals with the study of skin patterns.
Derived from the Greek word Derma, which means skin and Glype which
means Carve.
FINGERPRINT

Impression made by the papillary ridges on the ends of the fingers
and thumb.

Made of series of ridges and furrows on the surface of a finger

Basic function is to improve tactile sensitivity and grip.
LATENT FINGERPRINT

Traces of sweat, oil, or other natural secretions of the skin.
(eccrine glands, apocrine glands, Sebaceous glands).

Can be made visible by dusting techniques when the surface is hard and
by chemical techniques when the surface is porous.

Latent prints can be a contamination from the environment (paints, wax,
etc.).
Patent or Visible Prints. Fingerprints that are easily spotted by the eyes
(formed by fingers with blood, grease, ink or dirt come in contact with
smooth surfaces such as glass and papers).
Impressed or Plastic Prints. Imprinted in soft and pliable materials such as
drying paint, clay or wax.
“Every contact leaves a trace.”
– Locard’s exchange principle.
TYPES OF LATENT PRINTS

Visible Prints. Readily visible to the naked eye (molded prints or prints made by
contamination with colored substance).

Invisible Prints. Generally made by sweat or perspiration that requires
developing for visibility.

Chance Prints. Prints left on a place unconsciously or accidentally.

Smudge Prints. Prints made by sliding motion of the finger.

Fragmentary Prints. Partial prints (impression).
Factors Affecting Stability or Prints at the Crime Scene.

Subject Factor

Nature of the surface

Climatic Condition
INSTRUMENTS USED FOR DEVELOPING
LATENT PRINTS
 Fingerprint
Powder
 Fingerprint
brush
 Latent
print transfer card (for preserving).
 Fingerprint
Strip holder (for post mortem
fingerprint).
 Magnifying
lens (horse-shoe type).
GOLDEN RULE OF CRIME SCENE
INVESTIGATION
“Do not touch, change or
alter anything until it has
been identified, measured
and Photographed.”
THINGS MAY NOT BE DONE IN THE CRIME
SCENE
 Do
not lift without taking photographs.
 Do
not lift on small movable object.
 Do
not remove object without taking
photograph.
 Do
not place powder to the entire crime
scene.
 Do
not develop visible latent print.
METHODS OF DEVELOPING PRINTS
1. Powder/Solid/Mechanical Method. Reagents which must adhere or stocked to the
sweat must be used. Suitable surfaces for this technique are glass, porcelain, ceramic,
pottery, metallic item, plastic and bamboo.
Prints are collected by:

Use of lifting materials (gelatin paper, lifter, cellophane tape, transparent vinyl tape
and adhesive tapes.

Photographs
A suitable powder (black powder, aluminum powder, lycopodium, SP black powder) is
selected and used according to the conditions of impressions and object.
Sometimes, two or more kinds of powder are used in mixture. This is called a mixture
powder. The mixing proportion varies according to climate, humidity, degree of
dryness/wetness of an object. The most commonly used mixture is that of aluminum
powder (gray) and lycopodium, which is effective in suppressing adhesives.
TECHNIQUES OF POWDER METHOD:

Brushing Method. The brush tip is dipped into a small quantity of powder and lightly
brushed on the surface of where latent prints maybe found; thereafter lightly
sweep excess powder to clean it; applied to dry, slippery, and sticky surfaces.

Use of Spray Gun. When prints are found on large object, large space, wide area
(Leather, Synthetic, etc.).

Rolling (Rocking) Method. Place appropriate quantity of powder on an object to
be examined, lightly bend and tilt, spreading out powder all over the object in
order that the powder shall adhere to the fingerprints, the fingerprint is developed
by flipping the back side of the object to remove excess powder. Applied to high
quality dried paper.

Light-Striking Method or Patting Method. After having the powder adhere to a
fingerprint, lightly strike the object to be examined with a brush tip to which the
powder has been applied, the fingerprint is developed with another brush to which
no powder is applied or by air blowing with a blower-brush or a spray to remove
excess powder.
TECHNIQUES OF POWDER METHOD:

Sprinkling Method. White powder; applied on a rubber, leather, greasy fingerprints.
2. Liquid or Chemical Method. Use of reagent on the suspected area and expose the
fingerprint marked there. Take a photo of the exposed fingerprint if the fingerprint
sampling is acted.
Suitable objects adapted to this method; paper, wood, metal and scotch tape
adhesives.

Use of Victoria Blue. Either by applying method or soaking method, it is used on the
different kinds of adhesives materials. This method is also known as dying method.
Originally Victoria pure blue is used to dye the material.

Gas Applying Method. Effective on any type of surfaces (porous or non-porous).
Spray the gasified reagents into the suspected area to detect fingerprint at the
crime scene, then take photo record of the exposed fingerprint. Most common
agents in the Gas in a mighty bond (Cyanoacrylate). Applicable for metal, plastics,
painted wood, leather, adhesive tape, glossy paper, plywood , skin of human body.
TECHNIQUES OF POWDER METHOD:

Ninhydrin Method. There are two solutions of the ninhydrin powder, namely:
ninhydrin petroleum benzine and ninhydrin acetone solution. This is applied by
soaking a brush into a solution, and then applies on the paper in a single stroke
until the entire suspected portion containing latent prints is covered. At normal
atmospheric temperature, the latent print is observed after 24 hours of
application. To confirm the print in a short time the use of a flat iron may be
used. Dry the paper using a portable ninhydrin heater, if none, just let it dry.
The application of the solution will have a chemical reaction between the
amino acid and ninhydrin that will change the color in bluish purple.

Amino Black. Is a protein dye, which can be used to develop latent prints
made with blood stained friction skin. It is necessary to take sample of
bloodstains for typing before using amino black.
NATURE OF FRICTION SKIN

a.k.a. Papillary skin, Volar skin(biologist), fingerprint (General) and
Friction skin (fingerprint examiner).

The ridges begin to develop during the third month of fetal
development, and they are fully formed by the sixth month.

An epidermal hairless skin found on the ventral or lower surface of
the hands and feet covered with ridges (elevated structure) and
furrows (depressed structure).

Friction ridges are the results of accidental arrangements that
occurs during gestations (amniotic pressure, heredity and
genetics, stresses diseases and nutrition.

Each ridge of the epidermis (outer skin) is dotted with sweat pores
for its entire length and is anchored to the dermis (inner skin) by a
double row of peg-like protuberances, or papillae.
LAYERS OF A FRICTION SKIN
Epidermis: the outer layer

Stratum Corneum

Stratum Mucosum
Dermis: the inner layer.

Generating layer

Dermal papillae

Blood vessels

Glands

Etc.
VARIOUS CONDITIONS OF A FINGER

Polydactyl. Born with more than ten (10) fingers.

Macrodactyl. Having enlarged fingers.

Microdactyl. Having small fingers.

Ectodactyl. Born with missing fingers.

Syndactyl. Side fusion of the fingers.
HISTORY
China 200 (B.C.).

Emperor Te In Shi. The first Chinese ruler who devised a “seal
carved from white jade.”

One side is the name of owner and the other side is impression
thumb.

They used thumb prints to seal documents as authenticity.
Hua Chi. Ki is referring to a loop, and Lo is referring to whorl and arc.
HISTORY OF FP IN THE PHILIPPINES

1968. Bureau of prisons used fingerprints in Carpetas.

1900. Mr. Jones was the first person to taught fingerprints in the
Philippines.

Generoso Reyes. First Filipino fingerprint technician employed by
the Philippine Constabulary.
People Vs. Medina. First conviction based on fingerprints and the leading judicial
decision in the Philippine Jurisprudence. Agripino Ruiz made an impression as the
first expert witness whose expert opinion received merit In Philippine Judicial
History. This could be considered a landmark case where fingerprint evidence
serves as basis in the conviction of Marciano Medina.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF FINGERPRINT
Principle of Individuality (Variation)

No two the same persons have the same fingerprint.
Principle of Constancy or Permanency or immutability

That the friction ridge once fully developed its arrangement will remain the
same through out individual’s life.
Principle of Infallibility

That fingerprint is a positive and reliable means of identification. It can not
easily forged.
Ridge Destruction. Destruction of the ridge can either be temporary or
permanent. Generally temporary destruction occurs when only the epidermis
layer of the friction skin has been damage, while permanent damage can be
injected to the friction skin due to damage of the dermis layer (Generating
layer).
More than 1 mm cut will constitute permanent scar.
Dr. Johann Christophe Andreas Mayer

German Anatomist.

He was the first to state that fingerprints are never duplicated in two persons.
Sir Francis Galton.

He developed the Arch, Loop and Whorl Patterns as general classification and
identified 9 types of pattern.

First to establish a Civil Bureau of Personal Identification.

Inventor of Dermatographics

He said that the possibility of two prints being alike was 1:64 Billion.
Dr. Henry Faulds

A Surgeon at Tsukiji Hospital, Tokyo, Japan, claimed that latent prints would provide
positive identification of offenders once apprehended ( A Manual of Practical
Dactyloscopy).
Herman Welcker.

German anatomist and anthropologist.

The “Welcker’s Basal Angle” was named after him. It is the anterior inferior angle of
the parietal bone.

He took his own fingerprints twice with a lapse of forty-one years and show the ridges
formation remains the same (1856-1897).
NOTED EXPERIMENTS THAT FINGERPRINT
IS INFALLIBLE MEANS OF IDENTIFICATION
Jhon Dellinger
Robert James Pitts
WEST CASE
In 1903,Will west have arrived at the US Penitentiary at the Leavenworth, Kansas.
While West was being processed in through identification, a staff member said that
there was already a photograph and Bertillon measurement for him on the file. But
a comparison on fingerprints showed that despite identical appearances and
nearly identical Bertillon measurements, the identification card on file belonged to
a William West, who had been in Leavenworth since 1901.
LAW OF MULTIPLICITY OF EVIDENCE
The greater number of
similarities or dissimilarities; the
greater is the probability for the
conclusion to be correct.”
“
PRINT IMPRESSIONS, TOOLS AND
METHODS
Fingerprint Impression

Rolled Impression. Fingerprint impression taken individually by rolling each finger
from one side to the other side and from the tip to the end of the first joint.

Plain Impression. Impression made by simultaneously pressing the finger to the
card, use as a reference to classification.
Basic Instrument In Taking Fingerprints

Ink Slab

Ink Roller

Fingerprint Ink

Fingerprint Card (8”×8”)

Card Holder
BASIC RULES IN TAKING FINGERPRINTS

Subject should be instructed to stand straight but relax facing the slab.

The subject hand should be completely dry.

Both Thumb fingers are rolled towards the body while other fingers are rolled
away from the body.
In case of split/webbed thumb, it should be rolled together and be classified
based on:


get the bigger one
If of the same size, get the inner one.
In case of polydactyl or extra finger which is totally separate:

Print the extra finger on the other side of the card and make a note.
CLASS CHARACTERISTICS
Arches (5%)

Plain Arch

Tented Arch
Loop (60%)

Radial Loop

Ulnar Loop
Whorl (35%)

Plain Whorl

Central Pocket Loop

Double Loop Whorl

Accidental
PLAIN ARCH

Ridges enter upon one side, make a rise or wave in the center, and flow
or tend to flow out upon the opposite side.

No looping ridges, an upthrust ridge, an angle or recurve.

Indicated by capital letter “A” in fingers number 2 and 7; and small letter
in other fingers.
TENTED ARCH

Angular Type. Formed by two ridges meeting at an angle; one continuous
ridge cannot form an angle and an angle must be 90 degrees or less.

Upthrust type. An upthrust must be an ending ridge – a ridge which ends in
space; an upthrust must make a definite change of direction from the basic
ridge. It must be an angle of 45 degrees or more from base ridge; and an
upthrust must be as high as the surrounding ridges are thick.
Note: dots have no direction.

Loop Type(Lacking one Characteristic). One which approaches the loop may
have any combination of two of the three basic loop characteristic, lacking
the third.
Note: these three loop characteristics are, to repeat; a sufficient recurve, a delta,
a ridge count across the looping ridge.

Indicated by capital “T” in fingers 2 and 7 and small “t” other than 2 and 7.
LOOP PATTERNS
This is a pattern in which one or more of the ridges enter on other side of the
impression, then turn around (recurve), passing or touching an imaginary line
drawn between the delta and core, then flow toward the same side of the
impression from where the ridges entered.
Requisites of a Loop
An impression to be considered a loop must posses four requisites:

It must have a delta.

It must have a core.

It must have a recurving ridge that passes between the delta and the core
(sufficient recurve).

It must have a ridge count of at least one.
LOOP PATTERNS
If an appendage touches or abuts outside the shoulders of a recurving
ridge at a right angle, it spoils the recurve.
Appendage. This is a short ridge at the top or summit of a recurve usually
at right angle.
Points to remember in determining an appendage:

It must be in 90 degrees. If it fails to abut in such required degree or
fails to connect in between the shoulder of the looping ridge, then it
does not affect the recurve.

It must abut between the shoulders of the recurving ridge. If it fails to
abut or connects between the shoulder of the looping ridge, then it
does not affect the recurve.
No matter how short it is, always remember that its presence in the
fingerprint may greatly change the course of identification.
RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS/
MINUTIAE/GALTON’S DETAILS

Dot or Island Ridge. A ridge formation in a form of a dot or period.

Bifurcation. A ridge formation in which a single ridge splits or
divides into two or more ridges.

Converging Ridge. Two ridges that meets at a certain points.

Diverging Ridge. The spreading apart of two ridges that previously
running parallel or nearly parallel.

Enclosure or Lake Ridge. A single ridge that divides into two but
does not remain open and meet at a certain point to form the
original single ridge.

Ending Ridge. An abrupt end of a ridge.
RIDGE CHARACTERISTICS/
MINUTIAE/GALTON’S DETAILS

Recurving Ridge. A single ridges that curves back to the direction where it
started.

Sufficient Recurve. A recurving ridge which is complete with its shoulder and
free from any appendage.

Appendage. A short ridge found at the top or summit of a recurve.

Rod or Bar. A short or long ridge found inside the recurve and directed towards
the core.

Bridging ridge.

Fragmentary.
FOCAL POINTS
General Rule:

Delta: Look for the nearest delta towards the core.

Core: Look for the farthest core from the delta.
CORE

Inner terminus

Approximate center of the pattern.

Placed upon or within the innermost sufficient recurve.
RULES IN GOVERNING THE
SELECTION OF A CORE

The core is placed upon or within the innermost sufficient recurve.

When the innermost sufficient recurve contains no ending ridge or
rod rising as high as the shoulders of the loop, the core is placed
on the shoulders of the loop farther from the delta.

When the innermost sufficient recurve contains an uneven number
of rods rising as high as the shoulders, the core is placed upon the
end of the center rod whether it touches the looping ridge or not.

When the innermost sufficient recurve contains an even number of
rods rising as high as the shoulders, the core is placed upon the
end of the farther one of the two center rods, the two center rods
being treated as though they were connected by a recurving
ridge.
RULES IN GOVERNING THE SELECTION OF
A CORE




If such an appendage is present between the shoulders of a loop, that
loop is considered spoiled and the next loop outside will be considered
to locate the core.
In cases of interlocking loops at the center, the two loops are
considered as one. If intersecting loops at the center (core should be
at the exact point of intersection). If it has two loops side by side, the
core should be at the inner side of the other loop which is farther from
the delta.
The core can be at the shoulder line above the point of the
intersection of two loops. The two are considered one with two rods.
The core can be at the shoulder line below the point of intersection of
the loops. The two are considered one with two rods.
DELTA

The point of the first ridge formation found at or directly in front of
the divergence of the type lines.

The word delta is an old Greek word, and is the 4th letter of the
Greek alphabet.

Originally refers to a “deposit of earth at the mouth of a river”.

Delta is also known as outer terminus and tri-radius.
DELTA FORMATIONS

Bifurcations

Dot

Meeting of two ridges

Looping ridge (where no other choice of delta)

Ending ridge

Starting ridge
RULES GOVERNING THE CHOICE
OF DELTA

The delta may not be located at a bifurcation which does not
open towards the core.

When there is a choice between a bifurcation and another type
of delta, the bifurcation is selected.

When there are two or more possible deltas which conform to the
definition, the one nearest the core is chosen.

The delta may not be located in the middle of a ridge running
between the type lines toward the core, but at the nearer end
only.
RIDGE COUNTING
The process of counting the ridges that touch or cross an imaginary line drawn
between the delta and core of a loop.
Rules in Ridge Counting:

Locate the exact point of the core and delta.

Count all ridges which touch or cross an imaginary line drawn between the core
and delta.

Never include core and delta in the count. Count only those ridges which
intervene or pass between the core and delta.

Incipient ridges are never counted, no matter where they appear. The General
Rule is that in order to be counted, the width of a ridge must be equal to the
width of the other ridges in the pattern under consideration.
RIDGES SUBJECT TO RIDGE COUNTING

A ridge island or dot is given one ridge count.

A short ridge is given one count.

A long ridge is given one ridge count.

An abrupt-ending ridge is given one ridge count.

A bifurcation ridge. If a ridge bifurcates or branches into two across the
imaginary line cross only the bifurcation directly at the point of forking, it is
counted as two (2). If the imaginary line does not cross the point of forking or
falls short of touching it, it crosses only one ridge the count given is one.

Ridge enclosures are counted as two ridges. When the imaginary line crosses
or touches the point of bifurcation of an enclosure, two ridges are counted.

Criss-crossing or meeting of two ridges is counted as two ridges.
THE CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
Classification. The sorting of things into division or group so that they can at later
time be quickly located.
The main purpose of a classification system is to facilitate the filing, searching and
retrieval of fingerprint records.
The Philippines is using a locally modified classification system the Henry-Galton FBI
with NBI Modification.
Blocking Out. The process of writing the below each pattern a corresponding
symbol of the fingerprint pattern in the space provided in the card conspicuously
or in a capital letters purposely to facilitate the attainment of primary classification.
Blocking. Indicating the type of pattern by placing at the bottom of each finger
block to reflect the type.
Galton- Henry with FBI Modification and Extension. Used mostly by English speaking
countries including the Philippines.
SYMBOLS IN BLOCKING OF FINGERPRINT
PATTERNS
Plain Arch
A
Tented Arch
T
Radial Loop
Right hand (/), Left hand (\)
Ulnar Loop
Right hand (\), Left hand (/)
Plain Whorl
W
Central Pocket Loop Whorl
C
Double Loop Whorl
D
Accidental Whorl
X
FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION
SYSTEMS

The Henry Classification System: developed by henry by the late
1800s.

Icnofalangometric: original name of the system developed by
Vucetich in 1891.

Dactiloscopy: new name of the system developed by Vucetich.

The Oloriz System. The Flack-Conley System: developed in 1906 in
New Jersey, an improved Conley system.

The American System of Fingerprint Classification: developed by
Parke in 1903.

NCIC Fingerprint Classification System. Collins System: a
classification system for single fingerprints used in Scotland Yard in
the early 1900s.

Jorgensen System: a classification system for single fingerprints
used in the early 1900s.

Battley System: a classification system for single fingerprints used in
the 1930s.
THE FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION
Classification Formula. The result of the evaluation and interpretation
of the ten (10) fingerprints applying the principle of ridge counting
and ridge tracing.
Classification line:
FPC = KMPSSF
PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION
Represented by a numerical value assigned to whorl patterns.
The sum of the numerical value assigned to even number of finger represents the
numerator and the sum of the assigned value of odd number represents the
denominator plus the pre-established fraction of 1/1 to complete the primary.
1/1 is the minimum primary classification.
32/32 is the maximum primary classification.
There are, 1024 primary classification in the Henry Fingerprint System.
16
16
R
4
FPC = _1_____________
1
8
U
2
D
8
W
2
R
4
C
1
W
X
1
D
C
SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
Represented by capital and small letter combination based on
interpretation made during the blocking.
Capital Letter Group is derived from the index finger and Small Letter Group
is derived from the thumb, middle, ring and little fingers. It only includes the
radial loop (r), Plain arch(a), and tented arch (t).
A dash (-) is used to indicate the absence of each small letter between the
index finger and another small letter, or between two small letter.
RIGHT
RIGHTHAND
HAND
Thumb
1.1.Thumb
2.Index
IndexFinger
Finger
2.
3.Middle
MiddleFinger
Finger
3.
4. Ring
Ring Finger
Finger
4.
5. Little Finger
RR
UU
W
W
C
C
X
LEFTHAND
HAND
LEFT
Thumb
1.1.Thumb
2.Index
IndexFinger
Finger
2.
3.Middle
MiddleFinger
Finger
3.
4. Ring
Ring Finger
Finger
4.
5. Little Finger
DD
RR
W
W
D
D
C
SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
Derived by ridge counting of loop and ridge tracing of whorl found at the
index, middle and ring fingers only.
Ridge Counting of Loop
Index
Middle
1-9 = Inner (I)
1-10 = I
10 or more = Outer (O) 11 or more = O
Ring
1-13 = I
14 or more =O
Ridge Tracing of Whorl
Inner whorl (I). When the tracing goes above or inside the right delta and
there are 3 or more intervening ridges.
Outer Whorl (O). When the tracing ridges goes below or outside the right
delta and there are 3 or more intervening ridges.
Meeting (M). When there are only two or less intervening ridges.
Plain Arches and Tented Arches is represented by a dash(-).
MAJOR CLASSIFICATION
Derived from ridge count of loops and ridge trace of whorls of both
thumbs.
It is written on leftmost part of the classification line before the primary
classification.
Table 1
Table 2
Arches (-)
Whorl ridge tracing (I,M,O).
Loop ridge tracing (S,M,L).
Left Thumb
Right Thumb
1-11= S
12-16 = M
1-17 = S
18-22 = M
17 or more = L
23 or more = L
When both hands are loop and the left thumb is large use or apply the
table 2 for the right thumb.
The right thumb is the numerator while the left thumb is the
denominator.
FINAL CLASSIFICATION
This refers to ridge count of a loop appearing at the little finger.
It is exhibited or place at the extreme right of the classification Line.
If a loop does not appear in the right little finger, a loop in the left little finger maybe
used. It is then indicated at the extreme right of the denominator.
Rules when there is no loop in the little fingers:
 A whorl may be used to obtain a final, ridge counting from left delta to (special)
core if in the right hand and from right delta to core if in the left hand. ( In ridge
counting plain whorl and central pocket loop whorl treat them as an ulnar loop).
 If there are two or more cores (usually applies to accidental whorls), the ridge
count is made from left delta (right hand) or right delta (left hand) to the core
which is the least number of ridges distant from that delta.
 The double loop is counted from the delta to the core of the upright loop. Where
loops of a double loop are horizontal, the nearest core is used.
Should both little fingers be plain arch or Tented arch, no final is used.
KEY CLASSIFICATION
It is the classification derived from the ridge counting of the first loop
that appears in one of the fingers from the thumb excluding the little
fingers of both hands.
If no loop appear in a set of fingerprint. The first whorl is ridge
counted.
Key is not possible if the entire set of prints is composed of plain
arches and tented arches, the key classification cannot be
obtained.
The key classification no matter where it appears is always placed to
the extreme left of the numerator of the classification formula.
SOURCES:

Dactyloscopy | fingerprint identification | Britannica. Retrieved at
Britannica.com

Fingerprints_An _Introduction_to_Dactyloscopy. retrieved at
https://criminalcpd.net.au

Fingerprint Identifiation – Basic Guide to Fingerprint
Science.retrieved at fingerprintid.weebly.com/fingerprintidentification.html

Simbulas, J.(n.d). Criminalistics 1: Personal Identification. Retrieved
at academia.edu

https://www.scribd.com/document/524675246/PERSONALIDENTIFICATION-TECHNIQUES- MODULE