Basic Shapes/Patterns of Fingerprints

There are three main types of fingerprints arch, loop, and whorl

3 Main Types of Fingerprints

Whorl

Arch

The least common pattern out of the three main patterns, an arch or wave starts on one side of the finger and exist horizontally to the entry point. Towards the center of the of the finger the ridge starts to rise upward and then lowers as it exists the finger. There are two variations of arches, plain arches and tinted arches. Both are similar except the tented arch’s ridge rises higher.

Arch Fingerprint

Loop

Unlike arches, loops are the most common type of print where the ridge start on one side of the finger and exists on the same side. There are two variations of loop prints, ulnar loops (right slant) and radial loops (left slant). In an ulnar loops, the loops flow in the direction of the pinky finger loops. In radial loops the loops flow in the direction of the thumb’s loops.

Loop Fingerprint

Whorl

Whorls are another commonly seen print where the ridges form a complete circuit, which can be spiral, oval, or any, or variations of circles. There are four variations of the whorl, plain, central pocket, accidental, and double loop. Plain whorls are in shape variations of circles. Central pocket whorls consist of one or more re-curving ridges with two deltas between which an imaginary line would cut or touch no re-curving ridge within the pattern flow. In accidental whorls, the pattern consists of two or more deltas with a combination of two or more patterns except plain arch. In a double loop whorl, there are two separate loops entering and exiting on opposite sides.

Whorl Fingerprint



All Types of Fingerprints