4. The main purpose of a
classification system is to
facilitate the filing,
searching and retrieval of
fingerprint records.
5. The Philippines is using a locally modified classification system
the Henry, Galton, FBI with NBI Modification.This system is
derived through succession of steps: first is blocking out a set of
prints. Blocking out is 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.
6. BLOCKING – INDICATING THE TYPE OF PATTERN BY PLACING
AT THE BOTTOM OF EACH FINGER BLOCK TO REFLECT THE
TYPE.
7. SYMBOLS IN BLOCKING OF FINGERPRINT PATTERNS
Plain Arch - A
Tented Arch - T
Radial Loop Right Hand - / Left Hand -
Ulnar LoopRight Hand - Left Hand - /
10. DIVISION OF CLASSIFICATION FORMULA
1. Primary Classification
2. Secondary Classification
a. Capital Letter Group
b. Small Letter Group
3. Sub secondary Classification
4. Major Division
5. Final Classification
6. Key Classification
12. PRIMARY CLASSIFICATION
This refers to the summation of all the numerical values assigned to whorls
appearing in a fingerprint card which are expressed as numerator and denominator
plus the pre- established fraction of _1/1_ . Also known as Whorl Division.
Numerical value will be given to patterns belonging to
Whorl family only (PlainWhorl, Central Pocket Loop Whorl, Double Loop
Whorl and AccidentalWhorl).
Arches and Loops have no numerical value.
14. The sum of all numerical value for fingers 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 is for Numerator and the
sum of 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9 is for Denominator.
1/1 – Minimum Primary Classification 32/32 – Maximum Primary Classification
20. SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
This is obtained by writing the capital letter symbols
taken from the index fingers and small letter group from
the thumb, middle, ring and little fingers.
*It appears just right of the fraction which represents
the primary.
21. CAPITAL LETTER GROUP
This refers to the patterns appearing at the index fingers, right index as the numerator and left
index as the denominator.The type of pattern which can be appear as follows:
Plain Arch - A
Tented Arch- T
Radial Loop- R
Ulnar Loop - U
Plain Whorl - W
Central Pocket LoopWhorl- C Double Loop Whorl - D
Accidental Whorl - X
22. SMALL LETTER GROUP
It only include small letters, a-r-t, a (plain arch), r
(radial loop), and t (tented arch). Prints with plain arch,
tented arch and radial loop in any finger except the
index fingers constitute the small letter group of the
secondary classification. Such “small letters” are
brought up into the classification formula in their
relative positions immediately adjacent to the index
fingers. A dash (-) is used to indicate the absence of each
small letter between the index fingers and another small
letter, or between two small letters:
26. SUB SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
This refers to grouping of print according to the ridge count of loops and
ridge tracing of whorls appearing at the index, middle and ring fingers.
*It is placed on the classification line immediately to the right of the
secondary classification.
The result of the ridge count must written on the right upper corner of block
where found and later converted into symbol (I or O) and write it on the
rightmost portion of the classification line.
The result of the ridge trace must be written on the right upper corner of the
block in symbol (I, M or O) and re- exhibit on the rightmost portion of the
classification line.
27. RIDGE COUNTING FOR LOOPS:
Index Fingers
1-9 ridge count = Inner (I) 10 or more ridge count = Outer (O)
Middle Fingers
1-10 ridge count = Inner (I) 11 or more ridge count = Outer (O)
Ring Fingers
1-13 ridge count = Inner (I) 14 or more ridge count = Outer (O)
28. RIDGE TRACING FORWHORLS:
Inner (I) – when the traced ridge is inside or in front of the right delta and
three (3) or more ridges cross or touch the imaginary line drawn between the
right delta and traced ridge.
Meeting – when the traced ridge is in front or below the right delta consisting
two (2) or less ridges that cross or touch the imaginary line drawn between
the right delta and traced ridge.
Outer (O) – when the traced ridge passes outside (below) the right delta and
three (3) or more ridges cross or touch the imaginary line drawn between the
right delta and traced ridge.
Note:The right hand shall serve as the numerators while the left hand as the
denominators. On the case of tented arch or plain arch, there shall be no
classification on the finger when it appears and it will be represented by dash
(-).
29. This is an example illustrating the subsecondary in addition to other divisions of the
classification formula.The right index finger is a radial loop with a ridge count of 12, the
right middle finger is plain whorl with a ridge trace of outer (O) and the ring finger is an
ulnar loop with a ridge count of 17. On the other hand, the left index finger is a plain whorl
with a ridge trace of meeting (M), the left middle finger is a radial loop with a ridge count of
18, and the left ring finger is plain whorl with ridge trace of inner (I).
31. MAJOR DIVISION
This division is 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.
Symbols for Loops: Symbol forWhorls
S – Small I – Inner
M- Medium M – Meeting
L – Large O – Outer
32. Ridge Count and Letter Symbols
for Loops Table 1
1. Ridge count of 1 to 11, Small.
(S)
2. Ridge count of 12 to 16,
Medium. (M)
3. Ridge count of 17 or more,
Large. (L)
33. TABLE 2
*Loop pattern in both hands.To be applied only to
the loop from the right thumb when the ridge count
of the loop from the left thumb is 17 or more, making
it large (L).
1. Ridge count of 1 to 17, Small. (S)
2. Ridge count of 18 to 22, Medium. (M)
3. Ridge count of 23 or more, Large. (L)
When both hands are loop and the left thumb is
Large (L) use or apply table 2 for the right thumb.
36. FINAL CLASSIFICATION
This refers to ridge count of a loop appearing at the right
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 may be used. It is then
indicated at the extreme right of the denominator.
37. 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 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.
38. The right little finger is a radial loop with
ridge count of 12.The final classification is
12. It is exhibited or place at the extreme
right of the classification line.
39. 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.
40. The first ridge counting of a loop appearing in this card is the ridge
count of the left thumb with 13. Ridge counts from both Little fingers are
excluded in key classification.Therefore the key classification is 13.
