DEFINITION OF TERMS:

• Forensic Science – May be defined as the application of

scientific, technical, or other specialize knowledge to
assist Courts in resolving questions of fact in civil and
criminal trials.
 Application of science to law.
• Forensic – Comes from the Latin word “forensis”
meaning Forum.

• Criminalistics – is the application of various sciences to

answer questions relating to examination and comparison
of biological evidence, trace evidence, impression
evidence (such as fingerprints, footprints impressions, and
tire tracks), controlled substances, ballistics and tool mark
examination, and other evidence in criminal investigations.
• Chiroscopy- scientific study of the palm of
the hand for identification.
• Classification- a formula derived for a
complete set of ten fingerprint patters; or the
arrangement of fingerprint records into
groups or subgroups for filing purposes.
• Classification of Approximating Patterns-
the writing up of all the possible classification
for a set of prints which contains one or more
doubtful patterns.
• Core- a point on a ridge formation usually
located at the center of a heart of a pattern.
• Dactyl – is from the Latin word means finger
or toe.
• Dactylomancy- an attempt of character
reading through the patterns of fingerprints.
• Dactyloscopy- The practical application of
fingerprints (the making of identifications by
fingerprint comparisons and classification of
fingerprints.)
The word Dactyloscopy was derived
from two Greek word: “Dactyl” which means
“finger” and “Skopein” meaning “to study”
or ‘to examine.”
• Dactylography- The scientific study of fingerprint
as a means of identification.
• Delta- a point on the first ridge formation directly
at or in front and near the center of the
divergence of the typed lines.
• Dermatoglyphics – are the lines, tracings and
designs on the skin of fingers, palms and soles.
• Edgeoscopy- the study of the characteristics
formed by the sides or edges of papillary ridges
as a means of identification.
• An Expert- a person who has special and
competent knowledge of a subject, and who
obtained this knowledge either through study or
through experience.
• Fingerprint- a reproduction on some smooth
surfaces of the pattern or design formed by the
ridges on the inside of the end joint of a finger or
thumb.
• Fingerprint Expert- is a person who through
experience, training, and education has a
complete knowledge and skill in the science of
fingerprints, and if called upon by the courts to
testify, can externalize that knowledge and skill in
a forceful, yet convincing and intelligent manner.
• Friction Ridges- raised strips of skin on the
inside of the end joints of our fingers and thumbs
by which fingerprints are made; also called
papillary or epidermal ridges.
• Ridge Counting- the process of counting the ridges
that touch or cross an imaginary line drawn between
the core and the delta of a loop.
• Ridge Tracing- the process of tracing the ridge that
originates from the left delta toward the right delta to
see where it flows in relation to the right delta.
• Ridgeology- the study of poroscopy , edgeoscopy, and
ridge characteristics for the purpose of the positive
identification of fingerprints.
• Rod or Bar- a single ending ridge in the center of a
recurving ridge of a loop pattern.
• Sequencing- the placing of a group of classified sets
of prints in their correct filing order before beginning to
file or search them.
• Furrows – are the canals or depressions
between the ridges which may be compared
with the low area in a tire tread.
• Latent Prints- (hidden or concealed)
fingerprints found at the scene of the crime.
• Palmar – pertaining or corresponding to the
palm of the hand.
• Plantar – pertaining to the sole of the foot
• Podoscopy- the science of identification
through friction ridge characteristics existing
on the sole of the human foot.
• Poroscopy- the science of identification by
means of the pores.
• Post-Mortem Fingerprinting- taking fingerprints
of a deceased person for identification purposes.
• Polydactyl hand – a hand having more than the
normal number of fingers
• Ridges – are the tiny elevations or hill-like
structures found on the epidermis of the skin
containing sweat pores. They appear as black
lines with tiny white dots, called pores in an inked
fingerprint impression.
• Ridge Characteristics- little details in the ridges
of fingerprint patterns which are used in
comparing and identifying fingerprint.
 MAIN DIVISIONS OF
CRIMINALISTICS
1. Three (3) Scientific Divisions – subjects
require the study of science and
mathematics before practical training in the
laboratory, namely:

1. Chemistry
2. Physics or Physical Identification
3. Biological Science or Medico-legal
2. Three (5) Technical Divisions –
1. Questioned Document
2. Firearms Identification
3. Latent or Fingerprint Examination
4. Forensic Photography
5. Lie Detection or Polygraph
 HISTORY OF FINGERPRINT

Fingerprint had been considered as one of the

most infallible means of identification. It has
been utilized at present into a large extent, from
public to private documents, and from simple
clearance to a very important document. For
every person studying the science of
fingerprints and those who are practitioner in
this field, it is a must that they should have to be
acquainted with historical development. Every
scientific principle basically laid its evidentiary
value and credibility to its discovery and the
facts behind its development and distinction.
• Cont…

Think of a scenario inside a trial court, a

situation in which a defense lawyer, looking
for a way to discard the credibility of the
expert witness, they sometimes resort to
asking of question which are relative to the
historical basis and basic principles of the
scientific evidence presented.
 ORIGIN OF FINGERPRINT

• The Chinese are the one noted to be the first

user of fingerprints. They use fingerprints as
symbolism in the early part of the history as a
part of their ‘rituals”. Until they utilize it in
signing of a contract on the part of illiterate.
The thumb mark of the destitute is place on the
slip of bamboo were the contract was written.
Infants at that time were taken fingerprint for
possible identification and every mother is
familiar with the fingerprint of their newborn.
The Chinese were well acquainted with the
essential characteristics of fingerprint.
• Cont…
• They call the Arches and Whorls ‘LO” (snail);
Loops are “KI” (sieve or winnowing basket).
The loops are look upon as presages of good
luck.
Emperor Te’in Shi, (246-210 BC) was the first
Chinese ruler who devised a seal carved from
white jade; on one side of it was the name of the
owner, and on the other side the impression of
the thumb. Such seal were used in sealing
documents as a sign of authenticity. Though the
Chinese were well familiar with the types of
fingerprint patterns, they did not make any
system to develop a classification system.
 SCIENTIFIC DISCOVERY AND DEVELOPMENT
OF FINGERPRINT
• Dr. Marcello Malphighi (1628 – 1698)
An Italian Anatomist published his work “De Externo
Tactus Organo” in book form. He describes the ridges
found on the palms surface of the hand which causes in
diverse design and the pores which serve as the mouth
of the sweat glands. He was noted for his discovery of
the inner and outer structures of the skin. He named the
inner layer dermis and the outer one epidermis. He
originated the term “loops and spiral” and because of
his contribution one of the thin layer of the friction skin
was named after him, the “Malphigian layer.”

• Known as the Grandfather of Dactyloscopy.

Prof. Marcelo Malpighi
• Dr. Nehemiah Grew (1641- 1712)

Published thesis entitled “Philosophical

Transactions” and presented before the
Royal Society in London, England. His
thesis describes his observations on the
appearance of the ridges on the fingers
and palms.
Dr. Nehemiah Grew
• GOVARD BIDLOO (1685)
Published his thesis entitled “Anatomia
Humanis Corporis” This thesis supported
the appearance and arrangement of the
ridges on a thumb. The breadths of the
individual ridges were exaggerated to show
the individual characteristics of the ridge
surface.
• J.C.A Mayer (1788)
Published his book “Anatomische Kuffertafeln
Nebst Dazu Gehorigen”. Although the arrangement
of the skin ridges is never duplicated in 2 persons,
nevertheless the similarities are closer among some
individuals” he thus became the first person to state
that the prints of persons are never alike.

• Herman Welcker
Undertook in 1856 an experiment by printing his right
palm to prove to himself if the ridges changes. By
1897, forty one years later, he again printed his right
palm. He was able to prove that the ridge
characteristics do not change, though his fingerprint
taken two scores apart.
• Prof. Johannes Purkinje (1787-1869)
It was in his book “Commentatio de Examinine Physiologico
Organi Visus et Systematis Cutanei” (“A Commentary of the
Physiological Examination of the Organs of Vision and the
Cutaneous System”) that brought about a systematic classification
of the varieties fingerprint patterns. He distinguished and named 9
finger print patterns. Purkinje’s 9 fingerprint patterns are:

1. Transverse curve (plain arch)

2. Central longitudinal stria (tented arch)
3. Oblique stripe (loop, ulnar or radial)
4. Oblique loop (loop, ulnar or radial)
5. The almond (whorl)
6. The spiral (whorl)
7. The ellipse elliptical whorl (whorl)
8. Circle-circular whorl (whorl)
9. The double whorl (composite, twin loop)
Prof. Johannes Evangelista Purkinje
• Sir William James Herschel (1833-
1917)
Published his book, “The Origin of
Fingerprinting” which describes his research
starting in 1858 when he practiced actual
recording of the finger and palm prints of the
natives of India. Hershel was the first
European of the modern period who practices
fingerprint identification. He conceived a
broader usefulness of the science: the
registration of prints as a measure against
false impersonation.
• Father of Chiroscopy .
Sir. William James Herschel
• Dr. Henry Faulds (1843-1930)

In 1880 in Tokyo, Japan published an article

in the British journal “Nature” describing the
importance of Fingerprint identification
purposes. His article “On the Skin Furrows
of the Hand” pointed out his observation that
chance prints left at the scene of the crime
would provide for positive identification of
offenders when apprehended.
Dr. Henry Faulds
• Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911)

Credited with the being the first scientist of

friction skin identification as well as his role in
promoting its use. He was able to discover
the 3 families of fingerprint patterns-
Arch, Loop and Whorl. He revealed that
ridge patterns remain constant throughout
the life of the individual and that these ridge
patterns are useful in devising a method of
classification.
Francis Galton
 Juan VucetIch

Was an Argentinean Police officer evolved his

own system of fingerprint classification and
in 1891 founded in La Plata, Argentina, the
worlds first fingerprint bureau. His system of
classifying prints was used in most Spanish
Speaking Country.
Juan Vucetich
 Sir Edward Richard Henry (1859-
1931)
Consider as the “Father of Fingerprint
Science”, Because of his persistence in
devising a workable system of classification.
By 1900, he published his work in book form
and titled it “Classification and Uses of
Fingerprints.” In 1901 Henry was appointed
as Assistant Commissioner of the new
Scotland Yard and concurrently Chief of the
Fingerprint Branch.
Sir Edward Richard Henry
 Alphonse Bertillon
A French whose method was based upon
eleven measurement of the human
anatomy, and used the metric system in
recording the data.
In Einstein’s face you’ll see the three
graces
FINGERPRINTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
• 1900- The use of fingerprints in the
Philippines started through the Americans.

• Mr. Jones- One who first taught fingerprint

in the Philippine Constabulary in the year
1900.

• Mr. Generoso Reyes- First Filipino

Fingerprint Technician employed by the
Philippine Constabulary (Now PNP).
• R.A No. 409 “The City Charter of Manila” The
Criminal Records and Identification Division (CRID)
was established in the Manila Police Department
(Now WPD) in the year 1900. The Bertillon System
of identification was then utilized.

• Commonwealth Act No. 181 dated November 13,

1936- established the Division of Investigation (D.I)
that authorized the use of the Fingerprint
Identification System.

• R.A no. 157 dated June 19, 1947, the Division of

Investigation was renamed to National Bureau of
Investigation (NBI) pursuant to E.O no. 94 Sec. 63
dated October 04, 1947.
• Lt. Asa and N. Darby- Established a modern and
complete fingerprint files in the Division of
Investigation during the occupation of the
Philippines by Americans.

• Capt. Thomas Dugan- From New York City Police

Department established the Fingerprint usage in
the NBI with the assistance of the Mr. Flaviano C.
Guerrero, a Filipino member of the Federal Bureau
of Investigation.

• 1910- The Bureau of Prisons now Bureau of

Corrections started the use of the fingerprints
system as a means of identification for inmates.
• Mr. Generoso La Torre- First Chief of the Identification
Section in the Bureau of Prisons from 1905- 1920.

• Isabela Bernales- First Filipina Fingerprint Technician.

• People of the Philippines Vs Medina- first conviction

based on fingerprint leading judicial decision in the
Philippine Jurisprudence (10 points of identity)

• Plaridel Education Institution- Now known as the

Philippine College of Criminology, the first government
recognized school to teach the Science of Fingerprint
and other Police sciences.
 LEGALITY OF FINGERPRINT
• People vs. Jennings (1911, Illinois) – pass upon
the admissibility of fingerprint evidence.

• State vs. Cerciello (New Jersey) – fingerprint

evidence was permitted to be introduced.

• State vs. Conners – it was held competent to

show by a photograph the fingerprints upon a
balcony post of a house entered, without
producing that post in court.
• People vs. Coral (California) – it is completely settled
law that fingerprints are the strongest evidence of the
identity of a person. It was reasserted in another
California case, People v. Riser – fingerprint evidence
is the strongest evidence of identity and is ordinarily
sufficient aid to identify the defendant.

• Bilangawa vs. Amador (Philippines) – a fingerprint

expert and constabulary sergeant testified and
successfully defended fingerprint evidence based on
eight identical ridge points.

• People vs. Medina - the first leading judicial decision

in the Philippine jurisprudence on the science of
fingerprinting.
 Ancient Methods of Personal
Identification
• Tattooing – In ancient times, tattoo signified family, clan,
or tribal relations.

• Scarification – cutting on various parts of the body, thus

leaving scars forming elaborate designs.

• Personal Description – Practiced by the French Police in

the late part of the 19th Century for identifying criminals.

• Anthropometry – System of identification based on the

measurements of various bony structures of the human
body. It was introduced by Alphonse Bertillon in the
Police Department in Paris, France in 1882.
 Modern Method of Personal Identification

• Forensic Anthropology- the application of physical

anthropology in a legal setting, usually for the
recovery and identification of skeletonized human
remains.

• Forensic Dactyloscopy- is the study of fingerprints.

• Forensic Document Examination- answers

questions about disputed document using a variety of
scientific processes and methods.
• Cont…
• Forensic DNA Analysis- answers questions such
as paternity/maternity testing or placing a suspect
at a crime scene, e.g., in a rape, investigation.

• Forensic Odontology- is the study of uniqueness

of dentition better known as the study of teeth.

• Forensic Podiatry- is an application of the study

of foot, footprint or footwear and their traces to
analyze scene of crime and to establish personal
identity in forensic examinations.
 USES OF FINGERPRINT
• Prevent impersonation
• Speedy identification of wrongdoer
• Serve to give evidence
• Helps identifying victims of disaster, flood etc.
• Used for the identification of missing person.
• Detecting a criminal identity through
fingerprints collected at the scene and
determining recidivism or habitual
delinquency.
• Identify bodies, mutilated beyond recognition.
• Cont…
• Aids the judiciary in penal treatment.
• Prevent criminal substitution of newly born
• Modern technology utilizes fingerprints in
opening of vaults or doors leading to
confidential matters
 DOGMATIC PRINCIPLES IN THE
BIOLOGICAL STUDY OF FINGERPRINTS
1. Principle of Constancy or Permanency-
states that once ridges are fully develop their
general arrangement remains the same
throughout life.

2. Principle of Individuality- states that there

are no two person having the same
fingerprints. It is based on statistical probability
that it would be impossible for any two
persons to have similar fingerprints.
3. Principle of Infallibility-
states that fingerprints is a
reliable positive means of
identification.
Three Allied or Related Sciences within the Scope of Dactyloscopy:

1. CHIROSCOPY – scientific examination of

the palm of the hand.
Greek words:
Cheir – palm/hand
skopein – to examine
• 2. PODOSCOPY – scientific examination of the sole of
the foot.
Greek words:
Podo – sole/foot
skopein – to examine

3. POROSCOPY – scientific examination of sweat

pores/glands.

Greek words:
Poros – a pare
skopein – to examine
 RIDGE FORMATION

• Ridges begin to form on the human fetus five

to six months before birth. Since the ridges
are the basis for fingerprint identification they
seemed to appear as continuous lines-some
short and curved, others long and straight,
and a few like islands containing a single
pore structure. During the process of growth
and development these ridge formations are
not continuous lines but consist of a series of
island, each containing a small opening or
pore.
• As they grow, they fuse together and
eventually the round contours flatten and
straighten out to form a continuous straight
or short line.

Ridge Formation
 Characteristics of Fingerprints

• Fingerprints are formed by collection of curved,

straight, long short and other various friction
ridges. Terminus points, junction points, dividing
points, crossing points of friction ridges as well as
friction ridges including points are characteristics
of a particular fingerprint. Not two people have the
same characteristics listed above. Further, the
characteristics of fingerprints never change
naturally as the body ages. This has been
confirmed by the experiments and studies of
fingerprint researches, and the principles of
“unique throughout the world” and “permanent
throughout life” have been scientifically attested.
 The friction Skin and Its Components

• Friction Skin- is an epidermal hairless skin

found on the ventral or lower surface of the
hands and feet covered with minute ridges and
furrows and without pigment or coloring matters.

- It is also called as papillary or epidermal ridge.

- Are strips of skin on the inside of the end joints

of our fingers and thumbs by which fingerprints
are made.
 Components of the Friction Skin

1. Ridge Surface- is that component of the friction

skin that actually forms the fingerprint impression.

1. Ridges- are tiny elevation or hill like

structures found on the epidermis layer of the skin
containing sweat pores. It appears as black lines
with tiny white dots called pores in an inked
impression.
2. Furrows- are canal-like impression or a
depression found between the ridges which may be
compare with the low area in a tire thread. They
appear as white lines in an inked impression.
Ridge Furrow

Terminal Phalange
2. Sweat Pores- is a small opening found
anywhere across the ridge surface but is usually
found near the center. Sometimes called an
‘island which colors white in plain impression
and is considered as individual as the
fingerprints.”

3. Sweat Duct- is a long-hose like structure that

serves as the passage way for the sweat that
exits at its mouth, the pore.

4. Sweat Glands- are that glands found in the

dermis layer of the skin which is responsible for
the production of the sweat (watery substance).
 Fundamental Layers of the Skin

1. Epidermis- the outer covering of the skin

Two main layers of the Epidermis

1. Stratum Corneum- the outer layer

2. stratum Mucosum- immediately beneath the covering layers

Five Subdivision of the Stratum Corneum

1. Corneous layer
2. transparent layer
3. Granular layer
4. malphigian layer
5. Generating layer
Cont…

2. Dermis- the inner layer of the skin

containing blood vessels, various
glands and nerves. It is where the
dermal papillae are found.
S K I N
 Ridge Destruction

• The patterns that appear on the inside first joint of

our fingers and thumbs never undergo changes,
except in the size of the pattern during the life of
an individual. However there are some outside
and even inside pressure that may cause an
effect or destroy the ridges. In certain cases such
destruction is permanent but usually it is only
temporary. When the epidermal skin is
permanently damaged the affected area of the
pattern will never reappear. If it was only
temporary, the ridge grows back in exactly the
same pattern before.
• Cont…
Permanent destruction can be made
possible the moment that there is already
damage to the portion of the friction skin
where the dermal papillae is located.
• Dermal Papillae- are irregular blunt pegs
composed of delicate connective tissues
protruding and forming the ridges of the skin
on the fingers, palms, toes, and soles of the feet.

1. Manual works- person who used chemical like

lime, cement, plasters; electric shop workers and
assembly workers usually cause temporary
destruction of the tissues.
2. Diseased person- skin diseases may cause
temporary destruction similar with those persons
handling lime, cements but such destruction
ceases the moment that the disease has been
cured.
Cont …
3. Warts- fibrous growths in the skin and are easily
distinguished in impressions by the appearance
of a light spot. Usually encircled by a black ring.
Warts do not destroy the ridges just like
creases, they are not permanent and when they
are removed the ridges assume their natural
conditions without even the appearance of a
scar.
4. Cancer- in case where cancerous sores attack
the ridges; they are permanently destroyed; for
ulcers work so deeply into the flesh as to destroy
the sweat glands which characterized the surface
of the skin. It is true throughout the entire body.
• Cont…
5. Burns- burns severe enough to leaves a
scar will change the appearance of the skin
and totally destroy the ridges. In fact, the
destruction of the sweat glands from any
cause whatever will change the skin surface,
by leaving as scar in some form.
6. Scars. (As a result of art) it appears as a
thin white line, with the ridges slightly
puckered on both sides of the scar.
 Some Attempts of Destroying Ridges and Disguised

• John Dellinger- a US notorious public enemy

No. 1, who tried to remove his fingerprints with
acid but failed. Post-mortem fingerprints taken
after he was shot by the FBI agents proved that
he was Dellinger.
• Robert James Pitt- gained the fame as the man
without fingerprints knowing form an inmate of
a possible destruction of fingerprints. He
contacted a doctor. He removed the skin up to
the generative layer and serve thin into
incisions on each sides of Pitt’s chest.
• Cont…
Scar tissue was developed almost a year
later, he was pick up and police amazed to
find that he had no fingerprints. The Texas
Department of Public Safety was able to
affect identification out of the second joints
of his fingers. He is also known by the
name of Roscoe Pitts.
 Three Points to Remember When Damaged or
Injury to a Papillary Skin Causes a Permanent Scar

1. A penetration of a depth of more than one-millimeter

is necessary where the organs or process
responsible for the growth of ridge elements are
damaged or interrupted in their activities.

2. Due to the destruction of these organs and

deprivation of the power to produce new ridge
elements, the process of fission is affected.

3. Because of the extensive damage the skin are

rendered incapable to fusing.
• Cont…
Note:
Skin deformities sometimes prevent
correct pattern interpretation and
classification but in totality do not
prevent identification. As long as the
pattern is not totally disfigured
classification can still be worked out.
 Ridge Characteristics and their Interpretation

• Ridge Characteristics- little details in the ridges of

fingerprint patterns which are used in comparing and
identifying fingerprints.

 Bifurcation – is a single ridge that divides itself into two or

more branches.

 Lake Ridge – a ridge that divides into two branches and

meet again to form the original.

 Island Ridge – a ridge that resembles a dot, fragment or a

period.
• Cont…
 Ending Ridge – a ridge that pertains to the end
of the ridge or a ridge with an abrupt ending.

 Diverging Ridge – two ridges running side by

side and suddenly separating one ridge going
one way and the other ridge another way.

 Dissociated Ridge- unusual ridge structures

having no well defined patterns; the ridges are
extremely short, appear like a series of “patches”
caused by a disturbance of the developmental
process at the early fetal life of the individual.
• Cont…
Converging Ridge – is the meeting of two
ridges that were previously running side by
side. Ridge formation whose closed end is
angular and serves as a point of
convergence, usually pointed.
Appendage- this is a short ridge at the top or
summit of a recurve usually at right angle.
Looping or Recurving Ridge – a single
ridge running in one direction and at a certain
point definitely change its course by curving
and recurving and terminating or tending to
return where it started.
• Cont…

 Pattern Area – is the portion of the fingerprint

that is bounded by the type lines and wherein
are included the vital elements of characteristics
necessary for the interpretation and
classification to determine its type of patterns.

 Type Lines – are two innermost ridges that are

running parallel or nearly parallel with its other
which diverge at a certain point surrounding or
tend to surround the pattern area.
Ridge Characteristics
Can you see the dog?
 Fingerprint Patterns

• There are actually three major groups of

families of patterns

• These are:
1. Arch (5%)
2. LOOP (60 %)
3. WHORL (35%)
 Their major groups have different variations as in:

1. Arch
– Plain Arch
– Tented Arch

2. Loop
– Radial Loop
– Ulnar Loop
• Cont…
3. Whorl
– Plain Whorl
– Central Pocket Whorl
– Double Loop Whorl
– Accidental Whorl
THE 8 STANDARD FP PATTERN
 1. ARCH
1. Plain Arch – it is a pattern in which the ridges enter on
one side of the impression and flows towards the
other side with a rise in the center, with no angular
ridge formation and no upthrust.
• It is the most simple of all patterns and can be easily
distinguished. It might have various ridge formations such
as ridge, bifurcation, dot, and island ridges but they all
tend to follow the general ridge contour. They enter on one
side make a rise at the center and flow or tend to flow on
the other side.
Upthrust- an ending ridge of any length rising at a
sufficient degree from the horizontal plane.
• Cont…
2. Tented Arch – is that type of pattern where
most of the ridges enter upon one side of the
impression and flow or tend to flow out upon
the other side, as the plain arch type
however, the ridge or ridges at the center
form a tent in outline, giving an angle of 90
degrees or less; or one with an upward
thrust having an angle of 45 degrees or
more; or a pattern similar to a loop, but
lacking at least one of the essential elements
of a loop.
Tented Arch
Tented Arch
 Three types of tented arch:
1. One or several ridges in the center of the
pattern form an upthrust.
2. The ridge or ridges in the center form a well
defined angle.
3. The pattern may have two or three of the
four major requisite of a loop, but lacking
one of two of the four essential of loop.
 2. LOOP
• LOOP – is that type of fingerprint pattern
in which one or more of the ridges enter
on either side of the impression, recurve
touch or pass an imaginary line drawn
from the delta to the core and terminate or
tend to terminate from where such ridge or
ridges enter.
 To be a loop a pattern has these four
requisites:
1. it must have a core
2. it must have a delta
3. it must have a recurving ridge that passes
between the core of the delta
4. it must have a ridge count of at least one
 Two kinds of Loop

1. Loop is radial when the downward slope or

slanting of the ridges is towards the direction
of the thumb finger.

Radial Loop of the Right Hand

Radial Loop of the Right Hand
Radial Loop of the left Hand
Radial Loop of the left Hand
2. A loop is ulnar when the downward slope
or the slanting of the ridges flows towards
the direction of the little finger.

Ulnar Loop of a Left Hand

Ulnar Loop of a Right Hand
 Note:
• Remember the rule that if the appendages
about upon the innermost ridge between
the shoulders at right angle, it spoils any
possible recurve. Therefore, unless there
is at least one true recurve enclosing the
spoiled one the pattern will not be a loop.
 3. WHORL

• Plain Whorl – is a pattern in which there are two

deltas and in which at least one ridge makes a
turn through one complete circuit, which may be
spiral, oval, circular, or any variant of a circle. An
imaginary line is drawn between the two deltas
must touch or cross at least one of the recurving
ridge within the inner pattern area. A recurving
ridge, however, which has an appendage
connected with it in the line of flow cannot be
considered as a circuit. An appendage connected
at the point is considered to spoil the recurve on
that side.
• Cont…
• Some whorl look like eye target-where there
is a series of circles or oval whorls look like
clock springs which have unwound to the
right or to the left. Whorl exhibits various
shapes around the core such as round, oval,
or almond shaped. It is essential to
remember that the outer boundary of whorl
consist of two deltas, instead of one as in
loop.
Plain Whorl Pattern
 Elements of a Plain Whorl
1. A complete circuit

2. Two deltas

3. At least one circuiting ridge is touched

or crossed by imaginary line
traversing between the two deltas.
Elements of Plain whorl
• Central Pocket Whorl – it is a pattern which for the
most parts looks like a loop, but which has small
whorl inside the loop ridges. Some authors refer to it
as a composite pattern; made up of two patterns in
one. A whorl inside a whorl. It has two deltas, on
which appears at the edge of the pattern area, as in a
plain whorl and one which shows inside the pattern
area just below the centermost ridge.
• Because the central pocket loop whorl combines
characteristics of both the plain loop and plain whorl it
is sometimes referred to as a transitional pattern
– that is, it is a pattern in between the other two. It
has all the features of a plain loop with the additional
characteristics of having a whorl or whorl type ridge
around the core.
 Elements of a Central Pocket Whorl

1. At least one recurving ridge or obstruction

ridge at right angle.

2. Two deltas.

3. No recurving ridge within the pattern area

is touched or crossed by an imaginary
line drawn between the two deltas
Central Pocket Whorl
Central Pocket Loop Whorl
• Double Loop Whorl
- A double loop whorl consist of two
separate and distinct loop formations,
two sets of shoulders, and two deltas.
The loops necessarily do not have to be of
the same length and size. The loops of the
double loop whorl do not have to possess
the requirements of the plain loop. It is
enough that the elements mentioned herein
are fond in such a pattern.
 Elements of Double Loop Whorl

1. Two separate loop formations,

2. Two separate and distinct sets of

shoulders,

3. Two deltas.
Double Loop Whorl
• Accidental Whorl
– an accidental whorl is a pattern consisting of a
combination of two different types of pattern
with the exception of the plain arch, with two or
more deltas or a pattern which possesses some of
the requirements for two or more different types; or
pattern which conforms to none of the definitions.
Unlike the other whorl type patterns, an
accidental whorl can have two or more deltas.
It can be a combination of a loop and a whorl. A
loop and CPLW, or any combination of the
different type of patterns. It can be a combination
of the different loop and whorl types of pattern, like
the central pocket loop and the double loop.
 Elements of Accidental Whorl

1. Combination of two different types of

patterns with the exception of the
plain arch,

2. Two or more deltas.

Accidental Whorl