Fingerprint Classification:

The process of dividing up a large number of fingerprint cards into more manageable
categories using whorl tracings, ridge counts, and fingerprint patterns is known as fingerprint
classification. In order to confirm the identity of a recidivist, or repeat offender, it is crucial to
look through the files for a duplicate fingerprint record after someone is arrested. Before
fingerprint records were developed, people were photographed for mug shots, or rogues'
galleries, in the middle of the 1800s.

By the turn of the 20th century, another anthropometric measurement-based classification

scheme, called Bertillonage, had become obsolete. Since many people alter their appearance
or give false names when they are arrested, the fingerprint record is the only trustworthy
source of identification information.

In the past, fingerprints were categorized using alphanumeric designations and kept in filing
cabinets. Following an arrest, the fingerprint card was labeled with a classification, and the
filing cabinets were searched in accordance with that label. They are still manually entered
and searched in some agencies. The need for manual fingerprint record classification and
filing of hard copy has largely been eliminated with the introduction of the Automated
Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS), also referred to as the fingerprint computer. These
days, a scanner—also known as a "livescan" device—connected to a computer records
fingerprint. Similar to digital photos, they are also digitally stored.

On the other hand, historical classification system knowledge improves our comprehension of
pattern types and friction ridge impression analysis, much like fingerprint history does. Facial
recognition tests and many employers demand a basic understanding of the classification
schemes that are covered in the following.

1. Henry Classification
In 1897, Azizul Haque, Chandra Bose, and Sir Edward Henry created the Henry
Classification System. When it comes to classification schemes, the Henry system rose to
prominence in English-speaking nations. Moreover, Juan Vucetich created a classification
scheme that is employed in nations where Spanish is spoken. Systems for classifying
fingerprints were also developed by Bertillon, Purkinje, Galton, and Faulds before the
introduction of the Vucetich and Henry systems. Countries like Hungary, Portugal, Prague,
Germany, Japan, Spain, Holland, Italy, Russia, Mexico, Egypt, Norway, Cuba, Chile, and
France have all modified and implemented their own classification systems.

The majority of these systems analyze the finger patterns and give each finger an
alphanumeric designation. The resulting classification in the Vucetich and Henry systems is
similar to a fraction, with the denominator being below the classification line and the
numerator being above it. Above and below the classification line, there might be multiple
sets of letters (upper and lower case) and numbers.

There are six components, or parts, to the Henry Classification System:

1. The Primary, 2. Secondary, 3. Sub-secondary, 4. Major, 5. Final, and 6. Key.
In primary classification, only the whorl patterns found in the fingerprint record are given a
numerical value. Although it is expressed as a fraction, it is never reduced, in contrast to
fractions. There will be one number in the denominator and one number in the numerator.
The classification line is another name for the fraction line.

Numbering the fingers one through ten, the right thumb is finger number one, followed by the
right index, middle, ring, and little fingers on the right hand. Finger number six is the left
thumb, which is followed by the left index, middle, ring, and little fingers on the left hand.
The ten-print card, also called a fingerprint card, has numbers ranging from 1 to 10. If a
whorl is discovered on a finger, that finger is given a point value. By the time you reach the
last eight fingers, the point values are cut in half. For instance, the number one finger (the
right thumb) has a whorl that is valued at sixteen. If there is a whorl located on the number
eight finger (the left middle finger), it is assigned a value of two.

The numerator is the sum of the point values for the even numbered fingers plus one. The
denominator is the sum of the point values for the odd numbered fingers plus one.

Fig. 25 The point values assigned to each finger using the Henry Classification System.
 Finger Finger Point Value of a
Number Whorl
Right thumb 1 16
Right index 2 16
Right middle 3 8
Right ring 4 8
Right little 5 4
Left thumb 6 4
Left index 7 2
Left middle 8 2
Left ring 9 1
Left little 10 1
Table. 1 Finger Numbers and Point Values of Whorls in the Henry Classification System

16 16 8 4

1 . R. thumb 2 . R. index 3 . R. middle 4 . R. ring 5 . R. little

4 1 1

6 . L. thumb 7 . L. index 8 . L. middle 9 . L. ring 10 . L. little

#1 = 16 #6 = 4 Even #s (+1) = 16+8+4+1 (+1) = 30

#2 = 16 #7 = Loop Odd #s (+1 16+4+1 (+1) 22
#3 = Loop #8 = Loop
#4 = 8 #9 = 1
#5 = 4 #10 =1

Fig. 26 An example of primary Henry classification.

To prevent a fraction that reads 0/0, one is added to both the top and bottom values. Thus, the
primary classification is 1/1 rather than 0/0 if there are no whorls in any of the 10 fingers.
The main classification is 32/32 if each finger on the ten-print card has a whorl pattern on it.
The main classification part of the formula actually has 1024 possible variations.

2. NCIC Classification
A national repository for computerized criminal justice data is the National Crime
Information Center (NCIC), a branch of the FBI's Criminal Justice Information Services
(CJIS). During the J. Edgar Hoover administration, it was established in 1965. Since then, it
has undergone expansions and upgrades to become NCIC 2000, which debuted in 1999.
Criminal justice organizations in all fifty states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico, Guam, the US
Virgin Islands, and Canada can access NCIC. It has 21 databases with data on criminal
records, people who have vanished, the sex offender registry, stolen property, fugitive
records, protection orders, and possible terrorist activity. The FBI reported 11.7 million active
records as of 2011. The goal of NCIC is to provide an investigative tool not only to identify
property but also to protect law enforcement personnel and the public from individuals who
may be dangerous.

Information on fingerprint classification is also included in NCIC. If you work in any

capacity related to the criminal justice system, it is imperative that you comprehend NCIC
classification in order to decipher these codes. Every pattern type in the NCIC fingerprint
classification system has a two-letter code assigned to it. A 20-character classification is
created by combining the two-letter codes for each of the ten fingers. The codes for each
fingerprint are listed in order, starting with the right thumb (number 1) and ending with the
left little finger (number 10). To further categorize pattern types, the coding system also
includes whorl tracings and ridge counts of loops. The NCIC classification codes are listed in
Table 2.

If an individual has plain whorls with a meet tracing on fingers 2–10 and a doubleloop whorl
with an outer tracing on finger number one, the NCIC classification would read as follows:
dOPMPMPMPM
PMPMPMPMPM
Pattern Type NCIC Code
Ulnar loop ridge count 01–49
Radial loop ridge count +50 51–99
Plain arch AA
Tented arch TT
Plain whorl, inner tracing PI
Plain whorl, outer tracing PO
Plain whorl, meet tracing PM
Double-loop whorl, inner tracing dI
Double-loop whorl, outer tracing dO
Double-loop whorl, meet tracing dM
Central pocket loop whorl, inner tracing CI
Central pocket loop whorl, outer tracing CO
Central pocket loop whorl, meet tracing CM
Accidental, inner tracing XI
Accidental, outer tracing XO
Accidental, meet tracing XM
Mutilated or extensively scarred SR
Amputation XX

Table. 2 NCIC Classification Codes

The NCIC classification of an individual with plain whorls (outer tracing) on his or her
thumbs and plain arches on his or her remaining fingers would be
POAAAAAAAA
POAAAAAAAA
The actual fingerprint images are not included in NCIC, which makes it unique. It only
consists of the previously mentioned classification. A basic understanding of NCIC
fingerprint classification codes can provide you with a plethora of information about the
fingerprint patterns of the person questioned during an NCIC search, including a provisional
identification of a person of interest, such as a suspect or a person who has vanished from
view.