MODULE 7 - Fingerprint Classification System

1. What is the Henry Fingerprint Classification System? How it evolved and how it
became the accepted system of classification in the US and the Philippines?

The Henry Fingerprint Classification System is a method for categorizing

fingerprints to make identification easier and more efficient, especially useful in large
databases. Developed by Sir Edward Henry, an English police official in India in the late
19th century, this system uses the distinctive patterns on individual fingerprints loops,
whorls, and arches as primary points of classification. Each type of pattern receives a
numerical value, and fingerprints are classified according to the combination and
position of these patterns across the fingers.

Development of the Henry Classification System

Before Henry's system, fingerprint classification was not widely formalized. In

the mid-19th century, Sir Francis Galton, a British scientist, conducted extensive studies
on fingerprints, analyzing their uniqueness and potential for identification. His work laid
the groundwork for fingerprint analysis, but it was Edward Henry who created a
systematic approach to cataloging and retrieving fingerprints.

Henry, while working in India as Inspector General of Police, was inspired by

Galton’s studies and, along with colleagues Azizul Haque and Hem Chandra Bose,
developed a system to classify and index fingerprints based on patterns and ridge
characteristics. By 1897, the Henry Classification System was formally introduced in
India. It allowed fingerprints to be indexed by pattern types and specific numerical
values, making the system manageable even for large populations. This made it feasible
to quickly identify individuals within extensive databases, transforming fingerprinting
from a simple observational technique into a powerful tool for law enforcement.

Adoption in the United States and the Philippines

The Henry Classification System was adopted by Scotland Yard in 1901, which
solidified its credibility as a reliable method for identification. Shortly afterward, in 1903,
it was introduced in the United States, where police forces were seeking more effective
methods to distinguish individuals, especially given the rise in criminal activity. Prior to
fingerprinting, police departments relied on the Bertillon system, which measured body
dimensions to identify individuals, but it had limitations and was prone to errors.

The US began to phase out the Bertillon system in favor of Henry’s classification,
which was more accurate and easier to implement. The Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI) formally adopted it as part of its national identification system, further solidifying
its use across the country.

In the Philippines, the system was introduced during the American colonial
period in the early 20th century. American police and administrative systems were
established in the Philippines, and the Henry Classification System was incorporated into
law enforcement practices. This adoption helped standardize criminal identification
across the territories influenced by American administration.

Evolution and Legacy

Though the Henry Classification System served as a foundational tool for

fingerprint identification, technology has since evolved. The advent of automated
fingerprint identification systems (AFIS) has largely superseded manual classification.
AFIS digitizes and automatically matches fingerprints, making identification faster and

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more precise than manual methods. Nonetheless, the basic principles of the Henry
system categorizing fingerprint patterns and indexing by classification remain embedded
in modern digital systems.

Today, the legacy of the Henry Classification System endures as the foundational
model that demonstrated the practicality and reliability of fingerprints as a means of
personal identification, setting a precedent for biometric security and forensic science.

2. Discuss how fingerprint are classified and examined based on the Henry Fingerprint
Classification System. State the classification formula, and the numerical value
designated in every finger, and provide sample mathematical computations to solidify
your points.

The Henry Fingerprint Classification System categorizes fingerprints based on the

patterns found on each finger. This system groups fingerprints into three primary types:
loops, whorls, and arches. In the Henry system, particular focus is given to whorls, as
they are used to determine a numerical classification that allows for the systematic
indexing and retrieval of fingerprint records.

Basic Components of the Henry Classification System

a. Fingerprint Patterns: The Henry system categorizes fingerprints into:

 Loops: Ridge lines enter from one side, curve around, and exit on
the same side.
 Whorls: Ridges form circular or spiral patterns.
 Arches: Ridges enter from one side, rise, and exit on the
opposite side.

b. Numerical Values: Only whorls contribute to the calculation in the Henry

system. Loops and arches do not have assigned numerical values in this system.

c. Classification Formula: In the Henry Classification System, fingerprints are

indexed based on a formula that uses the presence or absence of whorls on each
finger. This formula is written as a fraction, where:

PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION:

Where:

 R and L indicate the fingers on the right and left hands, respectively.
 The numbers (1 to 5) represent the position of each finger, starting with the
thumb (1) and ending with the little finger (5).

The numerical values assigned are based on the location of the whorls. If a
finger has a whorl, it receives a numerical value; otherwise, the finger's contribution is 0.

Numerical Value Designation

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The Henry system assigns values to fingers in the following manner:

 Right Thumb = 16
 Right Index = 16
 Right Middle = 8
 Right Ring = 8
 Right Little = 4
 Left Thumb = 4
 Left Index = 2
 Left Middle = 2
 Left Ring = 1
 Left Little = 1

Each finger's contribution is added to the formula only if it has a whorl. If a

finger does not have a whorl (i.e., it has a loop or an arch), its value in the formula is 0.

Sample Computation

Example Scenario:

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SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION:
The writing of the Type of Fingerprint pattern with the corresponding symbols each
name.

Capital letter series concern the only the INDEX FINGER

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SUB-SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION:

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MAJOR CLASSIFICATION:

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 The LEFT THUMB ridge count is 22, it will use Table no.1 and its equivalent is LARGE
(L), but the RIGHT THUMB shall use Table No. 2 because the left thumb is more than
17 counts. The RIGHT THUMB has 4 ridge count and it is equivalent to SMALL (S).
 The Answer is S/L

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 The LEFT THUMB ridge count is 7, it will use Table No. 1 and its equivalent is SMALL
(S). Because the LEFT HAND Ridge count is less than 16 the RIGHT THUMB shall use
Table No.1. The ridge count is 25 and its equivalent is LARGE (L).
 The Answer is L/S

 This example is a combination of Loop and Whorl.

 The RIGHT THUMB shall use the Table for Whorl Tracing. The RIGHT THUMB has a
ridge count of inside 1. Its equivalent is MEETING.
 The LEFT THUMB has a ridge count of 8, its equivalent in Table No.1 is SMALL (2)
 The final answer is M/S

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FINAL CLASSIFICATION

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RIGHT HAND LEFT HAND

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FINAL CLASSIFICATION

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KEY CLASSIFICATION

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(SGD)
SFO1 Alexis L Libranda BFP

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