The Fingerprint Classification System

by Sir Edward Richard Henry with FBI modification

1. Primary =P
2. Secondary =S
3. Sub secondary = Ss
4. Major =M
5. Final =F
6. Key =K
Primary classification of fingerprints
Fingerprint classification – refers to the formula derived for a
complete set of ten fingerprints or the arrangement of fingerprint
records into groups or subgroups for filing purposes.

PC = K M P S Ss F
M P S Ss
The Fingerprint Classification System

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. Here, the values are calculated
based on the summation of even and odd fingers,
separately followed by the addition of one.
Primary classification of fingerprints
This classification is also known as 10 Digit Classification
This is used for maintaining the record of each and
every criminal.
To arrive at the Primary classification.
First step will be dividing the patterns into numerical
and non-numerical patterns.
Numerical Patterns = Whorls and composites
Non-numerical Pattern = Arches and Loops
Primary classification of fingerprints
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: Whorls
Values:
Whorls: Specific assigned numbers for whorls (see next slide)
Loops and Arches: Zero value Highest possible group
value: 32/32
Lowest possible group value: 1/1
Finger Pairs in Primary Classification
System  (five pairs)
Pair Number Finger Name Primary Value
Pair 1 Right Thumb & Index 16
Pair 2 Right Middle & Ring 8
Right Little & Left
Pair 3 4
Thumb
Pair 4 Left Index & Middle 2
Pair 5 Left Ring & Little 1
Primary classification of fingerprints
Assign number to each finger. Number starts from right
thumb to left finger.
Pairing of two fingers and assign the numerical values to
the patterns.
Rt Thumb (1) Rt Index (2) Rt Middle(3) Rt Ring (4) Rt Little (5)
16 16 8 8 4

Lt Thumb (6) Lt Index (7) Lt Middle (8) Lt Ring (9) Lt Little (10)
4 2 2 1 1
Primary classification of fingerprints
Formula for Primary classification
PC= sum of even number of finger(s) + 1
sum of odd number of finger(s) + 1

PC= 2 + 4 + 6 + 8 + 10 + 1 = 31 + 1 = 32
1 + 3+ 5 + 7 + 9 + 1 31 + 1 32
Primary classification of fingerprints
Example: we have the following pattern (s) and their assigned
numerical value (s).
1 2 3 4 5

W (16) / (0) A (0) / (0) W (4)

6 7 8 9 10
W (4) / (0) A (0) / (0) / (0)
Primary classification of fingerprints

PC= Numerator 2 (0) + 4 (0) + 6 (4) + 8 (0) + 10 (0) + 1

Denominator 1 (16) + 3 (0) + 5 (4) 7 (0) 9 (0) + 1

= 0+0+4+0+0 + 1
16 + 0 + 4 + 0 + 0 + 1
= ___5____
21

Note: Maximum value = ___32___ Minimum: __1__

32 1
Secondary classification of fingerprints
In this classification, the patterns which appears
on both index finger (Fingers #2 and 7).
It consists of capital letter symbols for patterns
of two index fingers.
The right index finger symbol should be taken at
numerator and the left index finger at denominator
 In secondary classification, the pattern type of the
index fingers is designated by a capital letter. In general,
the following are the most commonly encountered
pattern types:
• A = Plain arch
• T = Tented arch
• R = Radial loop
• U = Ulnar loop
• W = Whorl
Secondary classification of fingerprints

1 2 3 4 5

W / A / W

6 7 8 9 10
W / A / /
Secondary classification = Right Index
Left Index
FC = K M P S Ss F
M P S Ss
= ____5_ R___
21 U
 Sub-Secondary classification of
fingerprints
Sub Secondary Classification is a subdivision in the 
Henry fingerprint system whose values are represented by
symbols based on the ridge tracing and counting values
of whorls and loops pattern.
Index, middle, and ring finger values are used to
classify this division.
Arches patterns are neither ridge counted or ridge
traced. They are merely represented by a dash on the
classification line.
 Sub-Secondary classification of
fingerprints
Fingers included:
This was concerned to the right Index (I), Middle (M),
and Ring (R) fingers # 2,3,4 as numerator and left I, M,
R # 7,8, 9 as denominator.
Patterns: Whorls and Loops
Values: Ridge tracing and Ridge counting
• Ridge counting for loops
• Ridge Tracing for whorls
• Arches They are merely represented by a dash on
the classification line.
 Sub-Secondary classification of fingerprints
Whorl pattern ridge tracing are recorded/symbol as
follows:
(I) for Inner tracing
(M) for Meeting tracing
(O) for Outer tracing
Incase of Loop pattern ridge counting are
recorded/symbol as follows:
(I) (inner) and
(O) (outer)
Loops patterns- ridge counting

Fingers Symbol No ridge count

(I) Inner 1-9
Index (O) outer 10 or more
(I) Inner 1-10
Middle
(O) outer 11 or more
(I) Inner 1-13
Ring
(O) outer 14 or more

Whorl pattern – Ridge tracing

Symbol Number of ridge Tracing
(I) Inner 3 or more intervening ridges inside or Infront of the delta
2 or less intervening ridges whether inside/Infront or out/below the
(M) Meeting right delta
(O) Outer 3 or more intervening ridges below or outside the right delta
Sub Secondary classification of fingerprints

Example:
1 2 3 4 5
W 11 / 4 A / 14 W
6 7 8 9 10
W 16 / 8 A / 3 /
Sub Secondary classification of fingerprints
Formula: SSC = I M R (Right hand)
I M R (Left hand)
SSC = I - M
M–I

FC = K M P S Ss F
M P S Ss

= ____5_ R_ I - M
21 U M -I
Major classification of fingerprints

Major classification is a subdivision of the 

Henry Fingerprint system (FBI modified) 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).
Major classification of fingerprints
• 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.
Major classification of fingerprints
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.
3. To evaluate the value of major classification, ridge
counting and ridge tracing are performed for loops
and whorls, respectively.
Major classification of fingerprints Values for Loops

Left Thumb Denominator Right Thumb Numerator

• 1 to 11= S (small)
1 to 11= S (small) • 12 to 16= M (medium)
• 16+ = L (large)
• 1 to 11= S (small)
12 to 16= M (medium) • 12 to 16= M (medium)
• 16+ = L (large)
• 1 to 17= S (small)
16+ = L (large) • 18 to 22= M (medium)
• 22+ = L (large)
Major classification of fingerprints
Values for Whorl

• 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
Example: Major classification

1 2 3 4 5
W 11 / 4 A / 14 W
6 7 8 9 10
W 16 / 8 A / 3 / 5
Example: major classification only

1. Left Thumb: Left Slant Loop (/).

•Left Slant loop in left hand= Ulnar Loop. 
•Ridge Count: 16
2. Right Thumb: Right Slant Loop (\).
•Right Slant loop in right hand= Ulnar Loop. 
•Ridge Counting: 11
MC= M
S
Major classification of fingerprints
Formula: MC = Thumb (Right hand)
Thumb (Left hand)

FC = K M P S _ Ss __F
M P S Ss

= M 5 R I-M
S 21 U M -I
Final classification
Final classification is a special subdivision of
the Henry fingerprint system where the ridge
counting of either little finger is used to obtain
the final classification number. In this
classification, if the values are from the right
little finger, it sets in the numerator.
Final classification

In this classification, the little fingers of both

hands are employed, and ridge counting is
performed on loops and whorls patterns.
The right-hand finger counting value is
placed in the numerator and the left hand is the
denominator. However, only one value is used
to classify it in the henry classification line.
Final classification

The ridge counting of the whorls in the 

final classification is very rarely used. That’s
why the majority of final classification is
known to be only loop pattern-driven.
 Final classification example
1 2 3 4 5
W 11 / 4 A / 14 W
6 7 8 9 10

W 16 / 8 A / 3 / 5

If loop is missing in the right hand then left hand is registered

Final classification of fingerprints

Formula: MC = Ring (Right hand)

Ring (Left hand)

FC = K M P S Ss F
M P S Ss
= M 5 R I – M____
S 21 U M –I 5
Key Classification System

In the Henry key classification system, you

have to count the first loop that is appearing on
the card except for loops on the little finger. In
doing so, you just have to place it in the
numerator, and place immediately left of the 
major division value. 
 Key Classification System

The first loop is R 4 the key Cl is 4

1 2 3 4 5
W 11 / 4 A / 14 W
6 7 8 9 10
W 16 / 8 A / 3 / 5
key classification of fingerprints

FC = K M P S Ss F
M P S Ss

= 4 M 5 R I – M____
S 21 U M –I 5
Henry fingerprint Classification system modified by
FBI extension, based on the above example. 

Key Major Primary Secondary Subsecondary Final

4 M 5 R I-M  

S 21 U M-I 5
Short Summary on Henry Fingerprint Classification System

The following is the overview on how (a step-by-step)

guide on how you can fill the henry 10 digit card.
• 1. Primary Classification: Specific allotted value based
on prints of whorl pattern. Values vary from 1/1 to 32/32.
2. Secondary Classification:
• Capital Letters Group: Index fingers patterns
designated by capital letters. 
• Small Letter Group: All fingers other than the index
finger. Designated by small letters.
Short Summary on Henry Fingerprint Classification System

3. Sub Secondary Classification: Ridge count or trace of

the index, middle, and ring finger. Designated by
specific letter (I, M, O).
4. Major Classification: Ridge counts or trace values of
loops and whorls on the thumbs. Designated by letters:
for loops (S, L), and for whorls (I, O)
5. Final Classification: Ridge count of loop appearing in
the little fingers
6. Key Classification: 1st loop count on the card
excluding little finger.