FORENSIC 102- PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION TECHNIQUES by COL.

PAPA
BSCRIM 2ND YR- 2ND SEM AY. 2022-2023

PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
Dactyloscopy
Fingerprint - a composite of the ridge outlines which appears on the skin surface of the bulbs on the inside
of the end of joints of the fingers and thumbs.
Hua Chi- Chinese name of fingerprint
Alphonse Bertillon - considered as the “Father of Personal Identification”
William J Herschel
– used fingerprints in India
▪ to prevent fraudulent collection of army pay account and
▪ for identification of other documents.
▪ He printed the palms of natives in order to avoid impersonation among laborers
Rajyadhar Konai –first person Herschel printed the palm
Herman Welcker - took the prints of his own palm.
▪ In1897 (41 years later) – he printed the same palm to prove that the prints do not
change. (Principle of Permanency)
In Japan- deeds dotes and certificates to be used as proofs were sealed by the mark
of the hand (palm print) called “Tegata”
Thomas Bewick
-engraved the patterns of his own fingers on every wood-work he had finished to serve as his mark as to
establish its genuineness.
Johannes Evangelist Purkinje- Father of Dactyloscopy
Sir Edward Richard Henry –devised a classification of his own and published his work in book form and
entitled “ Classification and uses of fingerprint.
- Developed the Henry Classification System in the late 1800’s
- Considered as the “Father of Fingerprint”
Azizul Haque & Hem Chandra Bose – Indian fingerprint experts credited with primary development of the
Henry System of fingerprint classification.
Nehemiah Grew- Publish a report describing the ridges and pores of the hands & feet
which was read before the Royal Society of London, England
Edmund Locard- Father of “forensic” Father of Poroscopy
Wrote that if 12 points (Galton detail’s) were the same between two fingerprints, it would suffice a positive
identification.
J.C.A. Mayer- Stated that although the arrangement of the skin ridges is never duplicated in two persons,
nevertheless the similarities are closer among some individuals, (Principle of Individuality)
Gilbert Thompson - Used his own fingerprints in commissary orders to prevent forgery.
Isaiah West Tabor - advocated the use of the system for the registration of the immigrant Chinese.
Francis Galton- Cousin of Charles Darwin
- Considered as the first scientist on “friction skin”
- Publish his book in 1882 and established the individuality of classifying fingerprint patterns.
Johannes Evangelist Purkinje- Describe the ridges giving them names & established certain rules for
classification (9 groups)
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Dr Henry Faulds - Recommended the use of a thin film of printers ink as a transfer medium and is generally
used today.
Juan Vucetich- Installed fingerprint files as an official means of criminal identification. Based his system of the
patterns typed by Sir Francis Galton
- Made the first official criminal identification by means of fingerprints left at the scene of the crime in
1892 ( Francis Rojas case)
▪ Spanish counterpart of Henry – developed his own system of classification in Argentina & was accepted
in almost all Spanish speaking country
John Dillinger- Attempted to erase his fingerprints by by burning it with acid
Roscoe Pitts “Man without Fingerprints” -had a plastic surgeon remove the skin from the first joints of his
fingers and replace it with skin grafts from his chest. Investigators were able to identify him from his fingerprints
and his palm print.
State of Illinois -Made the first criminal conviction based solely on fingerprint
(People vs Jennings)
City of St Louis Missouri-Became the first city (Police department) to adopt fingerprint system on October
29, 1904
Institution of Applied Science Chicago, Illinois- First school to teach fingerprint identification
Frederick A. Brayley - Publish the first American book on fingerprint
Mary E. Holland- First American instructress/ trainer in Dactyloscopy
“Life on the Mississippi” written by Mark Twain- Murderer was identified by the use of fingerprint
identification
New York State Prison -Began the first systematic use of fingerprints in the US for criminals
Lt Asa N Darby- Under his management a modern & complete fingerprint file has been established for the
Philippine Commonwealth
Bureau of Prisons- Records show that “carpetas” (commitment & conviction records) bear fingerprints.
Mr Jones - First to teach fingerprints in the Philippines
Isabela Bernales- First Filipina fingerprint technician
Generoso Reyes- First Filipino fingerprint technician to be employed
Capt Thomas Dugan & Flaviano Guerrero - Gave the first examination in fingerprint in 1927
Agustin Patricio- First topnotcher in fingerprint examination in the Philippines
Plaridel Educational Institution- First offered as a subject the science of fingerprinting.
Dactylography- scientific study of fingerprint as a means of identification
Dactylomancy - Scientific study of fingerprint for purposes of personality interpretation
Dermatoglyphics- Science which deals with the study of skin pattern
Poroscopy- Study of pores
Edgeoscopy - Study of the morphological characteristics of friction ridges, shape or contour of the edges of
friction ridges
Ridgeology - Describes the individualization process of any areas of friction skin using all available detail
Podoscopy - Science of footprint identification
Adermatoglyphia - People born without fingerprints
- a rare condition that is characterized by the lack of ridges on the skin of the fingers, toes, palms of the
hand and soles of the feet.
- Because the pattern of these ridges form each person's unique fingerprints, people with this condition
are not able to be identified by their fingerprints.

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Dactyloscopy
Identification of persons through examination and comparison of fingerprint
Greek word : dactylos – a finger skopein- to examine
When do Babies Develop Fingerprints?
The development of pads on the fingertips and palms start forming during the second and third months
of pregnancy. When this starts happening, the fetuses can be between 1 and 3.5 inches in size.
The growth rate and placement of the pads on the fetus determine where the future identifying
fingerprint ridges, arches, whorls, and loops will be placed.
Dermal papillae- Composed of delicate connective tissue protruding and forming the ridges of the skin on the
fingers, palm toes and sole of the feet
Polydactyl - People having more than regular number of finger
Syndactyl - side fusion of the finger
Ectodactyl -Missing finger at birth
Ankylosis- Finger cannot be bent
Chiroscopy - Science of palm print identification
Principle of Permanency - that details of ridges remain constant and unchanging until after the final
decomposition of the body.
Principle of Individuality
- No two fingerprints are exactly alike unless taken from the same finger
Principle of infallibility
- Fingerprint is a reliable means of personal identification and All courts accept & adopt fingerprint as a
means of personal identification
Bertillon measurement
Close enough to identify Will & William West as the same person However a fingerprint comparison quickly &
correctly identified them as two different people.
Battley system
1930s: Single Fingerprint System developed by Battley, New Scotland Yard
IMPORTANCE OF FINGERPRINTS
▪ PREVENT IMPERSONATION
▪ SPEEDY IDENTIFICATION OF PERPETRATOR
▪ SERVE TO GIVE EVIDENCE IN COURT
▪ HELP TO IDENTIFY VICTIMS OF DISASTERS AND CALAMITIES
▪ IDENTIFY BODY OR CADAVER MUTILATED BEYOND RECOGNITION
▪ AIDS THE JUDICIARY IN PENAL TREATMENT
▪ PREVENT CRIMINAL SUBSTITUTION OF THE NEWLY BORN.

Damage to the epidermis alone does not result to permanent ridge destruction, whereas damage to the dermis
will result to permanent ridge destruction
Depth of 1 mm- Constitute permanent scar in the dermis
Sweat glands -In the skin of your fingertips produce a water-based oil solution that coats the ridges of your
print
Pattern formation formed by the papillary ridges Contains peculiar characteristics upon which a person can
always be identified by Fingerprint examination.
Incipient ridge- A friction ridge not fully developed that may appear shorter and thinner than fully developed
friction ridges.
Appendage -Short ridge at the top or summit of a Recurve usually at right angle.

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Eyelet - Single ridge which bifurcates where the bifurcating ridges converge at a certain point to form again
into a single ridge.
Minutia features- Basic type of ridge “Galton’s Detail
The major Minutia features of fingerprint ridges are:
a) ridge ending,
b) bifurcation, and
c) short ridge (or dot).
Bifurcating ridges
▪ Single ridge which splits into two ridges forming a y-shape formation

Ridge ending.
Bifurcation. Short Ridge (Dot).

Type lines - two diverging ridges that surround the pattern area of the loop
Delta “outer terminus”- Greek origin meaning a”deposit of earth at the mouth of a river”
First ridge formation at or directly in front or near center of the Divergence of the type of lines
Core “inner terminus”- found in the center of innermost recurve
Focal points- Core & delta
Friction ridges- “papillary ridges or Epidermal Ridges”
Strips of skin on the inside of the end joints of our fingers & thumbs by which fingerprints are made.
Furrows- Depressions or canals between the ridges which maybe compared with the low area in a tire tread.
Ridge counting
- Process of counting the intervening ridges that touch or cross an imaginary line drawn between the core
and the delta (use for loops)
Ridge tracing
Process of tracing the ridges that emanate from the lower side of the left delta towards the right delta
to see where it flows in relation to the right delta ( use for whorls) Begins at the extreme left delta & stops at
the point directly in front of the right delta
Ridge characteristic
Galton’s details are those little points of details in the formation of the pattern which are used in comparing to
fingerprints in order to determine its identity.
Recurving ridge- Ridge that curves back in the direction in which it started

Stratum corneum- Covers the surface on which the ridges are visible

Stratum mucosum- Layer beneath the stratum corneum and form the ridges that run lengthwise and
correspond to the surface ridges

Dermis- Inner layer containing the blood vessels, Dermal papillae, various glands & nerves

Epidermis - Outermost layer of the skin

Palmar -Palm of the hand Plantar - Sole of the foot

Postmortem fingerprints- Prints undertaken from deceased person
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Terminal phalange- Located near the tip of the finger
Basal or proximal phalange- Located at the base of the finger nearest the palm
Fingerprints are divided into 3 classes on the basis of their general pattern:
• Whorl
• Loops
• Arches

Loops –must have one or more ridges entering from one side of the print, recurving and exiting from the same
side.

All loops must have one delta

a) Ulnar loop – loop that opens
toward the little finger

b) Radial loop – opens toward the

thumb

Loops- Constitute or make up between 60 and 70 % of the patterns encountered

Ulnar loop
- one type of fingerprint pattern in which the ridges flow toward the ulnar bone of the little finger
Radial loop
- Type of fingerprint pattern in which the ridges run its direction to the radial bone or to the thumb
Whorls - divided into four distinct groups
Plain whorl All whorl patterns
Central pocket loop must have type line
Double loop and a minimum of
Accidental whorl two delta loop

Plain whorl – most common pattern

- Fingerprint pattern in which there are two (2) deltas and at least one ridge that makes a turn through
one complete circuit, an imaginary line drawn between the two deltas must touch orcross at least one
of the circuiting whorl ridges within the pattern area.

Inner whorl- Tracing goes above or inside the right delta and there are 3 or more intervening ridge
Outer whorl- Tracing ridge goes below or outside the right deltaand there are 3 or more intervening ridge
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Double loop whorl- Consist of two separate loop formation with two separate and distinct set of shoulders and
two deltas
Accidental whorl - A combination of two different patterns with the exception of plain arch.
Central pocket loop whorl- Has 2 deltas and at least one ridge making a complete circuit. An imaginary line
drawn between the two deltas must not touch or cross any of the recording ridges
WHORL SYMBOLS:
(1) Plain Whorl – W, (2) Double Loop – D, (3) Central Pocket – C, (4)Accidental – X

o For classifying and general searching, “W” is used to indicate all whorl types below the fingerprint block.

o Type of whorl should be indicated in the upper left hand corner of the fingerprint block.
Arches - Do not have type lines, deltas or cores
plain arches, ulnar arches
radial arches, tented arches
Plain arch
- A pattern wherein ridges enter on one side of the patternand flow towards the other side with a rise at
the center with not more than one of the four essential requisites for loop patter and with no recurving
ridge
Tented arch
- Variety of arch family but their ridge formations are not simple as those of the plain arch, also
considered transitional pattern between a plain arch and a loop.
Sufficient recurve- A recurving ridge which is complete with
its shoulder and free from any appendage
Three type of tented arch:
▪ Tented with angle
▪ Tented resembling a loop
▪ tented with upthrust

Upthrust - An ending ridge of any length rising at sufficient degrees from the horizontal place of 45 degrees
or more.

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Primary classification is the first division for classifying fingerprints using the Henry fingerprint system.
• It is also called whorl division because it uses only whorl patterns across all
the fingers.
• the values are calculated based on the summation of even and odd fingers,
separately followed by the addition of one.

#1 Primary Classification
• The process of manual fingerprint classification always starts with primary classification.
• In this classification, numerical values of the finger with whorl are considered. If
the finger has a whorl, the following value is going to be assigned.

• Classifying fingerprints always starts with the primary division

• Fingers included: All fingers
• Numerator: Sum of even fingers + 1
• Denominator: Sum of odd fingers +1
• Position in Henry number: rest in between major
division and secondary division.
• Patterns: Only Whorls
• Values:
• Whorls: Specific assigned numbers for whorls (
Loops and Arches: Zero

Numerical Values for Whorls

if the whorls appear in any of the fingers, the following specific assigned numerical values are assigned.
The values shown are not exclusive to
the plain whorl.
• Any form of the whorl, such as a
central pocket, double, or accident loop
whorl, can share the same numerical
value.
• This is because, in primary
classification, ridge trace values are not
determining factor but their appearance.

 Finger Pairs in Primary Classification

System

 The above 10-digit fingerprints form five

pairs, each of which has the same
values.

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 • Begin numbering from pair 1, i.e. the right thumb, with value 16, and move backward (towards the
left hand).

• After two fingers, divide the

previous value by 2 to get the
new value. So, the value for RM
and RR is 16/2= 8.

• Similarly, the RL and LT values is

8/2= 4.

• Lastly, LI and LM= 4/2= 2 and LR

and LL= 2/2 = 1

empty space defines patterns other than whorls

Assigning Whorl Values

Addition of Even/Odd Finger Value

• Numerator: Sum of even-numbered fingers such as 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10
• Denominator: Sum of odd-numbered fingers such as 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9

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Secondary
- composed of the pattern types present in the index fingers (2 and 7).
• The number two finger is used as the numerator and the number seven finger is used as the
denominator.
▪ Secondary Small letter group includes prints having
• plain arches, tented arches and radial loops on fingers other than the indexes
▪ Sub secondary classification
• Grouping of prints according to the
• ridge count of loops and
• ridge tracing on whorls
Major classification
• a subdivision of the Henry Fingerprint system ( whose values are set in between the key
division and primary division.
• Their values are based on the pattern present on the thumbs (number 1 and number 6
fingers).
• Rules :
Numerator: Right thumb value (finger 1)
Denominator: Left thumb (finger 6)
Position: placed immediately to the left of the primary classification column.
Patterns: Loops and Whorls
Values: Ridge tracing and Ridge counting
If the pattern is a loop, ridge counting is obtained.
For whorl patterns, ridge tracing is considered.
Ridge counting
- Process of counting ridges intervening between the delta and the core.
• Neither the delta nor the core is counted when an imaginary line is drawn connecting
them.
• Used only on loop pattern (radial or ulnar loop)
Ridge Tracing
- When the deltas has been located, the ridge emanating from the lower side or point of the extreme
left delta is traced until the point nearest or opposite the extreme right delta is reached. (whorl)
The number of ridges intervening between the tracing ridge and the right delta are then counted.
Major Division Not Employed in:
1. Arches: When plain and tented arches are on thumb fingers, major classification is not used.
2. Small Letter Grouping: In case, small letter grouping is present with secondary division values, both sub
secondary, and major division are omitted.

Values of Major Division Classification System

Values for Loops
• The values of loop counts are represented by small (S), medium (M), or large (L).
• While evaluating loops value, you should first count the loops in the left thumb (number 6
finger). followed by the right thumb.
• This is because, for the right thumb finger, there are two value sets. And the right thumb value
system is chosen based on the ridge count of the left thumb finger.

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Loop Count Values for the Left Thumb
The left thumb (no. 6 fingers) has only one set of values for loops. These are:
• Small (S): 1 to 11
• Medium (M): 12 to 16
• Large (L): 16+

Loop Count Values for the Right Thumb

• Case 1: Ridge count of the left thumb is 16 or less
In this case, you can use the same values of the left thumb i.e.
• Small (S): 1 to 11
• Medium (M): 12 to 16
• Large (L): 16+
•
• Case 2: Ridge count of Left thumb is greater than 16
For this, new sets of values are assigned for the right thumb:
• Small (S): 1 to 17
• Medium (M): 18 to 22
• Large (L): 22+
Loop Counts Value for Numerator and Denominator

Values for Whorls

Whorl traces are represented in capital Inner (I), Meeting (M), and Outer (O).
Following are the respective values;
• Meeting (M) = 0, 1, or 2 ridges inside or outside the right delta
• Inner (I) = 3 or more inside the right delta.
• Outer (O) = 3 or more outside the right delta

For example: The following is a

fingerprint card that has a thumb
impression of ulnar loops on both hands
where the LT count is more than 16.

A. Finding Patterns in Thumb

1. Left Thumb: Left Slant Loop (/).
• Left Slant loop in left hand= Ulnar Loop.
• Ridge Count: 17
2. Right Thumb: Right Slant Loop (\).
• Right Slant loop in right hand= Ulnar Loop.
• Ridge Counting: 18

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B. Finding Value for Left Thumb
• Ridge Count: 17 (as per table, the value is greater than 16)
• Major division value for LT: L
C. Finding Value for Right Thumb
• Ridge Count: 18
• If the left thumb value is greater than 16, case 2 values are used.
• Major division value for RT: M

Representing in Henry Fingerprint System

Based on the above values, henry classification number would be:

Final classification
little fingers only
• Ridge count on the loop (ulnar & radial) and whorl appearing in the little finger
Rules for Final Classification of Fingerprints
1. Right Little finger is always preferred: If the right little finger has a loop, regardless of what is on
the left little finger, the ridge count value is always evaluated from it.
2. Right Little finger has no loop: Ridge count values are taken from the left little fingers.
3. No loops in either of the little fingers: Whorls are used and preference should be given to the right
little finger.
4. Ridge Counts for Whorls: Even if the little finger has a whorl, the ridge counting value is evaluated
not ridge tracing.
5. Ridge Counting in Simple Whorls: In this case, whorls are treated as an ulnar loop. So, if
• Whorl on Right little finger: Counted from left delta to core
• Left little finger Whorl: Counted from right delta to core
6. Ridge Counting for Double-loop Whorls: When a little finger has a double loop whorl, values are
calculated by:
•
Horizontal double loop:
• Right hand: from left delta to nearest core
• Left hand: from right delta to nearest core
• Vertical double loop:
• ridge counting from left delta to upright core
7. Ridge Counting for Accidental Loop Whorls: Ridge counting from delta to core which has the least
number of ridges.
8. Both Loops and Whorls Missing: No final classification if there are plain or tented arch.

1. Identifying pattern on Little Fingers

• Right Little Finger: Whorl (omitted, rule #2)
• Left Little Finger: Ulnar loop
2. Defining Ridge Count
• Left Little Finger: 12
3. Final Classification Number
• Denominator: 12

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Final Classification Number in
Amputated and Scarred Fingers

A. Scarred Fingerprints

Final Classification Number in Amputated and

Scarred Fingers

B. Amputated Fingers

KEY CLASSIFICATION
• the last subdivision of Henry Fingerprint System,
• obtained by the ridge count of the first loop of the 10-digit card are used as the key division values,
except loops on the little finger.
What fingers are not included in looking for a loop in the key division?
• Finger number 5 (right little) and finger number 10 (left little) are not included in the key division of the
fingerprint system.
Why are little fingers excluded in Key
Classification?
- doesn’t include little finger’s values
because right and left little fingers
are exclusively used for classifying
fingerprints in the final division
system,

• first loop from Right to Left, except little finger

• Left Index finger= Ridge count=14
• Classification Value= 14
How to Obtain Key Classification of Fingerprint Values?
- Identify all loops pattern

Key Classification:
If there is no loop that appears in any of the eight
fingers, there is no key division.
• First loop from Right to Left, except little finger
• No fingers have loops
• Classification Value= Omitted
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If No Loops except Little Finger
Classification formula
Result of combining all the patterns of the fingerprints & recording them in a specific order or manner
at the top right of the fingerprint card.

Reference classification formula

An additional formula that serves as a reference in case of doubtful prints
Numerical Values for Loops and Whorls
• the value for loop and whorls is ‘0’.
• What if all the fingers have loops and whorls?
• Is the primary classification value is can be zero?
• NO, absolutely not.
• To overcome this problem of getting a 0/0 value,
• ‘1’ is added to both numerator and denominator.
• Therefore, the primary group value cannot be zero, and the lowest possible value would be
1/1.
Primary Classification In Scarred and Amputated Fingers
Scarred Fingerprints
The following is an overview of how primary division values are obtained in the case of scarred fingerprints.

Rules In The Selection of Typelines, Core & Delta

TYPELINES:
1. two innermost ridges that start or go parallel,
2. diverge and surround or tend to surround the pattern area:
a. core
b. delta
3. ridges which are used in the classification of a loop.

RULES

1. Typelines are not always two continuous ridges, but are often broken. When there is a definite break
in a typeline, the ridge immediately outside of it is considered as its continuation.
2. When locating typelines, it is necessary to keep in mind the difference between a divergence and a
bifurcation.
3. The arms of a bifurcation on which the delta is located cannot be used for typelines.
4. Angles cannot be considered for typelines.

THE DELTA: (1) point on a ridge at or nearest to the point of divergence of two typelines, and (2) is
located at or directly in front of the point of divergence.

DELTA RULES
(1) When there are two or more possible bifurcation deltas that conform to the definition, the one
nearest the core should be chosen.
(2) The delta may not be located in the middle of a ridge running between type lines towards the core,
but at the end nearest to the core.
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 (3) A dot may be used as a delta. A dot has no direction.
(4) The delta may not be located at a bifurcation that does not open toward the core.
(5) When there is a choice between a bifurcation and another type of delta, the bifurcation is selected.
THE CORE: (1) Approximate center of the pattern. (2) It is placed upon or within the innermost sufficient
recurve.

CORE RULES:
(1) The core is located on the shoulder of the innermost loop farthest from the delta.
(2) The core is located on the spike or rod in the center of the innermost recurve, provided the spike or
rod rises high as the shoulders.
(3) If there is an even number of spikes or rods shoulder-high, the core is located on the end of the
farthest of the innermost spikes from the delta, whether or not the spike or rod touches the inside of the
recurve.
(4) If there is an odd number of spikes or rods at shoulder-height, the core is located on the end of the
center spike, whether or not it touches the inside of the recurve.
(5) Interlocking loops: Join the two loops with an imaginary recurve, making one loop with a rod or rod
inside. Count the rod(s) shoulder-high and then fix the core.

Loop typelina

Whorl typeline

Plain impression
- Taken simultaneously by pressing the fingers to the card & used as reference classification
Chance impressions
- Fingerprints which are imprinted by mere chance or without any intention to produce the print
Real impressions
- Impressions of the finger bulbs with the use of the printing ink on the surface of the paper
Rolled impression- Taken individually by rolling each finger
Thumb finger- Rolled towards the body while all other fingers are rolled away from the body
Fingerprint card
- an 8 x 8 card designed for recording fingerprint impression
Blocking out
Process of placing under each pattern the letter symbol representing their pattern interpretation
▪ For purposes of blocking a set of fingerprints the patterns of the index fingers are designated by a
capital letter and the patterns on other fingers and thumbs are designated by small letter,
If both fingers are amputated or missing at birth
- they are treated as whorl with the respective numerical value and with meeting (M) tracing

Little fingers are totally disregarded

- in obtaining key classification for they are exclusively used in the final classification

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If all 10 fingers are amputated or missing at birth
the classification will be :
M32 W MMM
M32 W MMM
If a finger appears to be amputated (cut off)
just place the symbol or simple abbreviation as AMP and the date of amputation on the box of the finger
actually amputated.
If one finger is amputated or missing at birth,
the classification based on the opposite finger with the numerical value.
If both hands are amputated or missing at birth,
footprints are to be taken
Even fingers
are 2 (right index finger
4 (right ring finger
6 left thumb
8 (left middle finger
10 left little finger

Odd fingers
1 right thumb
3 right middle finger
5 right little finger
7 left index finger
9 left ring finger
Lowest classification in primary division
1/1

Highest classification (if all fingers is whorl)

32/32

Ninhydrin method
Considered as one of the best method used in developing prints in paper

Laser method
Modern method of tracing and developing prints

Fuming method
Done by chemical fumes such as iodine and ammonium fumes

AFIS
Automated Fingerprint Identification System

State vs Conners
Held competent to show by a photograph
the fingerprints upon the balcony post of a house entered,
without producing that post in court and
to show by expert testimony that the fingerprints found on the post
were similar to the fingerprints of the defendant.

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 People vs Coral
Court stated “ It is completely settled law that fingerprints
are the stronger evidence of the identity of a person

Schmerber vs California
Held that the introduction into evidence of fingerprint impression
taken without consent of the defendant was not an infringement of the constitutional privilege against
self-incrimination

People vs Medina
Considered the leading judicial decision in the Philippine jurisprudence concerning fingerprint

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION

HENRY GALTON SYSTEM

• PRIMARY DIVISION
• SECONDARY DIVISION
• SUB SECONDARY DIVISION
• FINAL DIVISION

FBI MODIFICATION EXTENSION

• MAJOR DIVISION
• KEY DIVISION

FINGERPRINT CLASSIFICATION
Method of obtaining a formula for a set of fingerprints whereby it can be located in the filing cabinet.
Classification formula – composed of letters and figures written on the horizontal line in the right upper
side of the fingerprint card like fraction.
Primary classification – sum total of the numerical values of whorls and its composite plus the pre-
established fraction of one over one (1/1)
• Pairing
• Assigning of numerical values
• designating the numerator and denominator
summing

SECONDARY CLASSIFICATION
• Writing of the type of fp pattern with the corresponding symbols

• Capital letter series concern only the INDEX finger

• Small letters for left and right thumb, middle, ring and little but only RADIAL, PLAIN ARCH AND
TENTED ARCH are included

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CAPITAL LETTERS
-
PLAIN ARCH - -------A
Tented Arch ---------T
Radial LOOP ---------R
ULNAR LOOP---------U
PLAIN W---------------W
CENTRAL PLW--------C
DOUBLE LW ----------D
ACCIDENTAL ----------X
small letters
r- radial
a - plain arch
t- tented arch
Sub secondary classification
- Involves ridge counting of loops and whorl tracing appearing in INDEX MIDDLE AND RING fingers of
both hands

Rules in sub secondary classification :

When plain and tented arches are found in any index,
middle and ring fingers, such patterns shall only be
represented by dashes on the classification line.

When loops appear in any index, middle and ring fingers, the table of conversion of loops (ridge
count) shall be employed as follows:
FINGER RIDGE COUNT CONVERSION
INDEX 1-9 INNER “I”
10 OR MORE OUTER “O)
MIDDLE 1-10 INNER “I”
11 OR MORE OUTER “O”
RING 1-13 INNER “I”
14 OR MORE OUTER“O”
When whorl patterns appear in any index, middle and ring fingers, the whorl tracing of such pattern shall
constitute the sub secondary classification

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 I-INNER 3 or more inside/above
O- OUTER 3 or more outside/below
M-Meeting 0-2 ridges

FINGER RIDGE COUNT CONVERSION

INDEX 1-9 INNER “I”
10 OR MORE OUTER “O)
MIDDLE 1-10 INNER “I”
OMI
11 OR MORE OUTER “O”
RING 1-13 INNER “I” OOM

14 OR MORE OUTER“O”

MAJOR CLASSIFICATION
RIDGE counting and whorl tracing of thumb appearing on both hands
• If the ridge count of left thumb is 16 or less (1-16)
1-11 small (s)
12-16. medium. (both left and right thumb)
17 or more large
If the ridge count of left thumb is 17 or more:
right thumb will adjust:
1-17 small (s)
18- 22 medium
23 or more large

FINAL DIVISION
• EXHIBITION IN A NUMERICAL FIGURE OF THE ridge count of loops or whorls from the two little
fingers. It is exhibited on the right upper corner of the block and it is placed at the extreme right of
the classification line.
• Plain whorl and central pocket loop whorl – shall be treated as ulnar loop from the hand of origin.
• A double loop whorl is counted to an upright loop
• An accidental whorl will be ridge counted in all but the least ridge count will be used.

KEY CLASSIFICATION
Derived by ridge counting of the first loop in a set of prints, except in two little fingers ( final
classification .
Always represented as numerator and placed at the extreme left of the classification

• If there is no loop the ridge count for the first whorl will be used.

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