4.Shapes and Patterns of Fingerprints

There are three main fingerprint patterns: arches, whorls, and loops.

Arches are found in about 5% of fingerprint patterns encountered. The ridges run from one side of the pattern to the other and make no backward turns. There are four types of arch patterns: plain, tented, radial, and ulnar

Whorls are found in about 25-35% of the fingerprints encountered. Some of the ridges in a whorl make a turn through at least one circuit.Whorl patterns are any patterns that contain two or more deltas. There are four kinds of whorls also: Plain, central pocket loop, double loop and accidental.

Loops are seen in about 60-70% of the fingerprints encountered. One or more of the ridges enter on either side of the impression, re-curves, touches or crosses the line running from the delta to the core and terminates on or in the direction of the side where the ridge or ridges entered. each loop pattern has one delta, one core, and a ridge count. There are two types of this pattern: radial and ulnar.

http://odec.ca/projects/2004/fren4j0/public_html/fingerprint_patterns.htm


Pictures:

http://safety-identification-products.com/fingerprint-information.html