According to criminal investigators, fingerprints follow 3 fundamental principles:

• A fingerprint is an individual characteristic; no two people have been found with the exact same fingerprint pattern.

• A fingerprint pattern will remain unchanged for the life of an individual; however, the print itself may change due to permanent scars and skin diseases.

• Fingerprints have general characteristic ridge patterns that allow them to be systematically identified.

Fingerprint Factoid: 

60% of people have loops, 35% have whorls, 

and 5% have arches

Did you know?

Dactyloscopy is the study of fingerprint identification.
Police investigators are experts in collecting “dactylograms”, otherwise known as fingerprints.

Fingerprint Patterns

• Arch: Ridges enter from one side and exit from the other, forming a wave-like pattern.

• Loop: Most common pattern, with one or more ridges entering from one side, curving around, and exiting from the same side.

• Whorl: Circular pattern with ridges forming concentric circles or spirals.

• Arch: Ridges enter from one side and exit from the other, forming a wave-like pattern.

​Loop: Most common pattern, with one or more ridges entering from one side, curving around, and exiting from the same side.

Whorl Fingerprint Pattern

Trivia: Whorl fingerprint pattern is characterized by ridges forming concentric circles or spirals. It is the second most common fingerprint pattern, accounting for approximately 30% of all fingerprints. Other common patterns include loops, arches, and tented arches. Fun Fact: Each person's fingerprint pattern is unique and can be used for identification purposes.

Let's Check your understanding

​What finger print is this?

​​What finger print is this?

Once you are done with the lesson see Mr. Harrington for your Lab Materials.