The Henry System - Primary Classification
The Henry Classification System is based on WHORLS or the lack thereof. The primary
classification number is calculated in the form of a fraction. Each of the ten fingers are
arranged so that five specific fingers are assigned a spot in the numerator (top) and the
other five are assigned a place in the denominator (bottom.)
Some people do not have whorls as fingerprints. Because of this, the number one is
added to both the numerator and denominator. Division by zero is undefined in math
and this act prevents that event from happening.
Fingers placed in the numerator.
Right
Index
Right
Ring
Left
Thumb
Left
Middle
Left
Little
Right
Little
Left
Index
Left
Ring
Fingers placed in the denominator.
Right
Thumb
Right
Middle
***NOTE: You will NOT have to memorize the position of the fingers. I will provide this
information for you. You will only have to know how to fill in the value for each finger.
The Henry system is set up as follows:
TOTAL
Right
Right
Left
Index
Ring
Thumb
16
8
4
Right
Thumb
16
Right
Middle
8
Right
Little
4
Left
Middle
2
Left
Little
1
Left
Index
2
Left
Ring
1
+
+
1
1
It is easy to remember how to assign the value for each number if you can remember
“Sweet 16.” Each number after that is obtained by dividing by 2. DON’T FORGET TO ADD
AN ADDITIONAL 1 TO THE NUMERATOR AND THE DENOMINATOR!!!!!!
Name _________________________________ Period ______ Date ______
The Henry System - Primary Classification
EXAMPLE 1: You have a 10-print card and notice that the following fingers have
WHORLS: Right ring, Left little, Right thumb, Right little, and the Left index. Circle those
positions in the chart and mark out the remaining fingers that were determined NOT to
have whorls.
Right
Index
16
Right
Ring
8
Left
Thumb
4
Left
Middle
2
Left
Little
1
Right
Thumb
16
Right
Middle
8
Right
Little
4
Left
Index
2
Left
Ring
1
+
1
+ 1
Now add the remaining numbers in the numerator and the denominator. DO NOT
REDUCE THE ANSWER TO LOWEST TERMS!!!!
8 + 1 + 1 = 10
Your final answer =
16 + 4 + 2 + 1 = 23
10
23
EXAMPLE 2: Now you try: The following fingers were determined to contain whorls: Left
thumb, Left middle, Left little, Left index, and Left ring. What is the Henry Classification
number for this person?
Right
Index
16
Right
Ring
8
Left
Thumb
4
Left
Middle
2
Left
Little
1
1
Right
Thumb
16
Right
Middle
8
Right
Little
4
Left
Index
2
Left
Ring
1
1
8
Did you get
? If so, you are correct. Again, remember not to reduce your answer!
4
PROBLEM 1: Now try this one, but you have to fill in the numbers….
This person has whorls on the Right ring, the left middle, the left little, the right middle
and the right little. What is the Henry classification number?
TOTAL
Right
Right
Left
Left
Left
Index
Ring
Thumb
Middle
Little
Right
Thumb
12
Did you get
10
Right
Middle
Right
Little
Left
Index
Left
Ring
?
PROBLEM 2: Here is the whole ten-print card for a suspect. What is the Henry
Classification for this person?
Left little = Plain Arch
Right Little = Central Pocket Whorl
Left ring = Accidental Whorl
Right Ring = Plain Whorl
Left middle = Ulnar Loop
Right middle = Radial Loop
Left index = Double-Loop Whorl
Right index = Tented Arch
Left thumb = Plain Whorl
Right thumb = Radial Loop
So, how did you do? Your answer:
PROBLEM 3:
18
What if I told you that a person had a Henry Classification number of
.
7
What fingers would have whorls? Show/Explain how you obtained your answer. (Hint:
Subtract 1 from the numerator and then identify the numbers that add to give you 17. Do the same for
the denominator.)