FingerprintsBy: Matthew Chang

Fingerprint Classes

• There are three specific classes for all fingerprints based on a pattern: Arch, Loop, and Whorl.

• History of Fingerprints

John Evangelist Purkinji - 1823

• In 1823, John Evangelist Purkinji, a professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau, published his thesis discussing 9 fingerprint patterns, but he too made no mention of the value of fingerprints for personal identification.

Sir William Hershel - 1856

• The English first began using fingerprints in July of 1858, when Sir William Herschel, Chief Magistrate of the Hooghly district in Jungipoor, India, first used fingerprints on native contracts. On a whim, and with no thought toward personal identification, Herschel had Rajyadhar Konai, a local businessman, impress his hand print on the back of a contract.

ARCH• Arches are the simplest type of fingerprints

that are formed by ridges that enter on one side of the print and exit on the other.

LOOP• Loops must have one delta and one or more ridges that enter

and leave on the same side. These patterns are named for their positions related to the radius and ulna bones.

WHORL• Whorl at have at least one ridge that makes a complete

circuit. They also have at least two deltas.

Fun Facts On Fingerprints

• A fingerprint is an INDIVIDUAL characteristic so no two people have the same fingerprint.

• A fingerprint pattern will remain the same for life but it can change due to permanent scars and diseases.

• Approximately 60% of people have loops, 35% have whorls, and 5% have arches.

Fingerprint Vocabulary

• Dactyloscopy- the study of fingerprint identification

• To capture a fingererprint, you can use ink or a fingerprint scanner. You can roll your finger on the ink pad and press your finger on a paper. The fingerprint will show on the paper.

• To capture a fingerprint on a fingerprint scanner, roll your finger on the scanner and it will show clearly on the computer.

Fingerprint Capture and Detection

Quiz Answers• 1. Loops• 2. Arches• 3. Loops, Arches, Whorls• 4. A fingerprint pattern can change when a person has permanent scars

and diseases.• 5. The study of fingerprint identification.