FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION
WORKSHOP
Workshop Details
Date
Location
: January 12-13, 2015
: Emilio Aguinaldo College, Ermita, Manila
Rationale
Recognizing the value of a system that would effectively identify the Indian inmates,
Edward Richard Henry, who was then the newly assigned Inspector General of the Bengal
District Police in India, tasked his two police officers, Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra
Bose, to design a mathematical formula classifying the fingerprints of the natives. As a
result, the Henry fingerprint classification system was formulated and implemented in
British India. The success of the system prompted the Scotland Yard in London, England to
review its own; it ultimately abandoned the Bertillionage or Anthropometry system of
identifying repeat offenders, thereby adopting the Henry system on 1901. This method
became useful especially in English-speaking countries. The U.S. Federal Bureau of
Investigation adopted the system with extensions in 1924 during which period the
Identification Division was established.
Presently, there are three types of classification system: Henry, NCIC, and AFIS. The
Henry system is proven useful as identical card can be located easily from a file of
fingerprint cards. With the introduction of the automation system (NCIC and AFIS), the
Henry system is now known as the “manual” method.
The Philippine law enforcement units, public safety agencies, and academic institutions are
said to have adopted the Henry-FBI classification system, as a matter of fact the FBI
booklet, The Science of Fingerprints: Classification and Uses is the reference recommended
by the Commission on Higher Education in teaching fingerprint classification as a subject
in the Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Bachelor in Forensic Science; however, some
local fingerprint authorities said that the Henry-FBI Classification system has been
modified here in the Philippines to suit with the local system adopted in the forensic
laboratories of the National Bureau of Investigation and the Philippine National Police, but
after some cursory inquiries, the academics could not locate any official document or
issuance endorsing such locally modified version.
The following are some unresolved disagreements encountered among fingerprint
instructors/ examiners while teaching this subject matter, among others:



the symbol of Accidental Whorl in Secondary division, X or W?; the number of
patterns, 8 or 9? the symbol of Ulnar and Radial Loops during blocking out in the
Primary, / or \;
If both Loop on the right and left little fingers, only the right little finger is
considered for Final; however, the other sources required that both little fingers are
to be considered;
Some instructors do not consented that a dash (-) be placed on the secondary
classification (small-letter group) line to patterns that are non-atr, while others
enjoin the classifier that a dash should be placed even in Sub-secondary, Major,
Final, and Key Divisions.
Apparently, there is want of collaboration between the academe and government agencies
employing fingerprint classification system in the country. Undeniably, this debacle
deprives our students the vital information for them to be equipped the moment they take
the Licensure Examinations for Criminologists.
Objectives of the Workshop include:
1. Review of the Fingerprint Classification system adopted in the Philippines.
2. Foster common understanding on the Fingerprint Classification formula.
3. Promote collaboration between academe and industry practitioners for
adoption of standards in teaching Fingerprint Classification.
TARGET WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS
1. NBI Classification Officers
2. PNP Classification Officers
3. BuCor Classification Officers
4. Fingerprint book authors (c/o Wiseman’s Publishing)
5. Criminology reviewers
6. Fingerprint Instructors
7. Criminology/ Criminal Justice students
WORKSHOP OBSERVERS
1. Heads of Fingerprint Identification Division
2. Representative from the PEACE
3. Representative from the PRC Board of Criminology
4. Representative from the CHED
A WORKSHOP RAPPORTEUR will be designated to record the proceedings
and translate into a report for distribution to all concerned.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
 This workshop is officially endorsed by the Commission on Higher Education
(please see the endorsement letter).
 It is recommended that you bring your own magnifier.
 Please do come in formal attire.
 To register or for further information, visit our website at
http://fisphil.weebly.com; contact our Executive Director at email address,
fisphil@yahoo.com, or at mobile phone number, 0998-510-9002.
DRAFT Schedule of Workshop
DAY 1
8:00 - Meet and Greet Reception
Registration Fee*:
Regular Fee
: P1, 700.00
FISPhil Member : P1, 400.00
Student
: P 850.00
* Meals and Hotel Accommodation NOT Included
* With free flowing coffee
Hotels are available nearby.
9:00 - Opening – Camillus L. Allego, Jr., NBI Fingerprint Examiner, President,
FISPhil
Session 1
10:00 - Small Group Reporting from Individual Fingerprint Classification Activity
Background Presentation:
11:00 - Evolution of Fingerprint Classification System in the Philippines
By Proceso Tubid
PNP Fingerprint Examiner (retired), book author, member of IAI and
Fingerprint Society
12:00 - LUNCH
Session 2
Background Presentation:
1:00 – Issues and Challenges in Teaching Fingerprint Classification
By Dean Melcon S, Lapina, MSCrim.
National Reviewer for Licensure Examination for Criminologists, Director of
FISPhil
2:00 – Rules on Fingerprint Pattern Interpretation
By PNP Fingerprint Classifier
3:00 – The Fingerprint Classification System in the NBI
By Chief, NBI Records Division
DAY 2
Session 3
Interfacing:
8:00 – Academics “What We Teach”
9:00 - Industry Practitioners “What We Do”
10:00 – Outlining of Recommendations
12:00nn - Closing – Jury G. Rocamora, MSCrim., Executive Director of FISPhil
Master of Ceremony: