Basic Fingerprints Classification And Analysis

Title: Basic Fingerprints Analysis

ABSTRACT

Fingerprint recognition or fingerprint authentication refers to the automated method of

verifying a match between two human fingerprints. Fingerprints are one of many forms of

biometrics used to identify an individual and verify their identity. The three basic patterns of

fingerprint ridges are the arch, loop, and whorl. It states that family members often share the

same general fingerprint patterns, leading to the belief that these patterns are inherited. To

identify the pattern of individual fingerprints, the method used is rubber-stamp ink pad where

by special “ink” pads and self-stick labels take a dark, clear print without leaving any visible

residue on the thumb.

Keywords: fingerprints, identity, fingerprints pattern

Introduction

The histories of fingerprints begin with the finding of Marcello Malpighi. In 1686,

Marcello Malpighi, a professor of anatomy at the University of Bologna, noted in his treatise,

ridges, spirals and loops in fingerprints. He made no mention of their value as a tool for

individual identification. A layer of skin was named after him; "Malpighi" layer, which is

approximately 1.8mm thick. During the 1870's, Dr. Henry Faulds, the British Surgeon-

Superintendent of Tsukiji Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, took up the study of "skin-furrows" after

noticing finger marks on specimens of "prehistoric" pottery. A learned and industrious man,

Dr. Faulds not only recognized the importance of fingerprints as a means of identification,

but devised a method of classification as well. In 1880, Faulds forwarded an explanation of

his classification system and a sample of the forms he had designed for recording inked

impressions, to Sir Charles Darwin. Darwin, in advanced age and ill health, informed Dr.

Faulds that he could be of no assistance to him, but promised to pass the materials on to his

cousin, Francis Galton. Also in 1880, Dr. Henry Faulds published an article in the Scientific

Journal, "Nature" (nature). He discussed fingerprints as a means of personal identification,

and the use of printers ink as a method for obtaining such fingerprints. He is also credited

with the first fingerprint identification of a greasy fingerprint left on an alcohol bottle.

Nowadays, in this modern era, fingerprints identification has been very useful to all of

the humanity from all around the world. Fingerprint is the cheapest, fastest, most convenient

and most reliable way to identify someone. That's why fingerprint alone has 2/3 of the

biometric world market (according to an International Biometric Group independent report).

And the tendency, due to scale, easiness and the existing foundation, is that the use of

fingerprint will only increase. Cars, cell phones, PDAs, personal computers and dozens of

products and devices are using fingerprints more and more. One big advantage of fingerprint

identification is that it is very well accepted in the legal community, among law enforcement,

and the general public. It has a long history in forensic science, complete with numerous

studies which back up the use of fingerprints for identification. This venerable history gives it

weight and credence which are not available to newer identification systems. In addition,

fingerprint identification is widely perceived as highly accurate and very reliable, since the

statistical chance of two people on Earth having identical fingerprints is very low.

Before conduct this project, we make our research first to improve our understanding

about fingerprint. There are several patterns that we can observe in fingerprint identification.

We have arch, loop and whorl. For this main pattern, we also have the other sub pattern. For

example for loop, we have double loop, right loop and left loop. For arch, we have tented

arch. For whorl we also have spiral whorl. We will go about this more deeply in our

discussion part.

For this project we make our survey by using 30 female students from biology course

and 30 male students from police volunteer reserve association. We take their fingerprint

from both of their thumb. After we collect their fingerprint, we analyse and identify its

pattern. After that, we tabulate all the data that we gain in order to make it look more clearly.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-forensic-science.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-law-enforcement.htm

Objective

1. To understand more about the concept of population for genetic course.

2. To study the factor that affects the fingerprint pattern.

3. To study fingerprint pattern.

4. To know more about the application that use fingerprint.

5. To know the relation between fingerprints and individual characteristics.

Materials

1. Rubber-stamp ink pad

2. Tissue paper

3. Clean white papers

Methods

1. Firstly, cleaned finger tips with tissue paper.

2. Carefully rolled one of the respondent finger tips on the pad.

3. Make sure that the respondents not to slide their finger as roll it.

4. Then roll the ink-covered finger tip on a piece of paper.

5. Do it carefully so that the fingerprints can be seen more clearly.

6. Lastly, determine the pattern of the fingerprints.

Result:

Types Characteristics Percentage (%)

A Double loop 18.33

B Single loop 50.00

C Arch 0

D Whorl 31.67

Overall Percentage (%) of Left Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Respondents

18.33

50

31.67

Percentage (%)

Double loop Single loop Arch Whorl


A Double loop 5.00

B Single loop 53.33

C Arch 0.00

D Whorl 41.67

Overall Percentage (%) of Right Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Respondents

5

53.33

41.67

Percentage (%)


Percentage (%) of Left Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Male Respondents


A Double loop 20.00

B Single loop 63.33

C Arch 0.00

D Whorl 16.67

20

63.33

16.67

Percentage (%)


Percentage (%) of Left Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Female Respondents


A Double loop 16.67

B Single loop 36.67

C Arch 0.00

D Whorl 46.67

16.67

36.67

46.67

Percentage (%)


Percentage (%) of Right Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Male Respondents

3.33

56.67

40

Percentage (%)



A Double loop 3.33

B Single loop 56.67

C Arch 0.00

D Whorl 40.00

Percentage (%) of Right Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Female Respondents

6.67

50

43.33

Percentage (%)



A Double loop 6.67

B Single loop 50.00

C Arch 0.00

D Whorl 43.33

Discussion:

Fingerprints are classified into distinct groups based on general similarities allows the

fingerprint examiner to search for an unidentified fingerprint within a specific section of the

fingerprint file rather than having to search the whole file. Fingerprint can be classified

according to pattern types, size of the patterns and the positions of the patterns on the finger.

There are several fingerprint classification systems in use throughout the world today.

These systems are all based on three fundamental ridge formations described by Purkinje,

Galton, Vucetich and Henry. They are the arch, the loop - radial and ulnar, and the whorl.

In our study, we observed all the fingerprint patterns of 60 respondents. We also

compared the patterns that we observed and classified them into four types: single loop,

double loop, arch and whorl. We had use rubber-stamp ink pad for taking prints. This is

because the prints can only be visible when our fingers are dirty or oily.

In fact, the patterns of ridges on human finger pad are unique. There are no two

individuals even the twins possess similar fingerprint patterns. Generally, individuals have a

mixture of pattern types on their fingertips, with some correlation between the left and right

hands. There is also evidence that the general fingerprint pattern may be genetically

determined. We found that the loop pattern is the most common pattern of fingerprint.

The uniqueness of fingerprints has been recognized for some two millennia and

studied scientifically for two centuries. But researchers have not been able to explain how

they form. A new theoretical computer model describes the patterns are created at the

beginning in the 10th week of gestation, when a fetus is about 3 inches (80 mm) long.

Michael Kücken and Alan Newell of the University of Arizona found that formation

of the patterns involves stresses in a sandwiched sheet of skin called the basal layer. In a

fetus, the basal layer grows faster than surrounding layers: the epidermis on the outside and

the inner dermis. The basal layer buckles and folds in several directions, forcing complex

shapes. These folds encode the future fingerprint pattern that becomes visible on the skin

surface in subsequent weeks. Since the fingerprint pattern is coded underneath the skin

surface, the pattern cannot be destroyed by superficial skin injuries. Micheal Kücken also

said that preservation of fingerprint pattern during the growth of fetus is still unclear.


18.33

50

31.67

Percentage (%)


The pie chart show that the overall percentage of left hand fingerprint pattern among

respondents. The pie chart shows that the highest percentage for fingerprint pattern is single

loop with 50 percent. The lowest percentage of fingerprint percentage is arch with 0 percent.

This means there is no respondent with this type of fingerprint. The seeing lowest is double

loop pattern with 18.33 percent while the second highest percentage of fingerprint is whorl

with 31.67 percent. From the pie chart, we have been discovered the most available

fingerprint pattern among our respondent is single loop and there is no arch fingerprint

pattern among our respondent.

The single loop fingerprint is the most common among our respondent because it has

the highest percentage while the arch fingerprint has the lowest percentage. The data that has

been analysed from our respondent’s left hand fingerprint. This result shows that the single

loop has the highest because it may affect by the frequency of left hand used. Most of our

respondents are not a left handed user. Therefore the result that we have obtained may affect

by this factor.


5

53.33

41.67

Percentage (%)


The pie chart shows the overall percentage of right hand fingerprint pattern among

respondents. The highest percentage of fingerprint pattern is single loop with 53.33 percent

while the lowest percentage of fingerprints is arch with zero percent. The second lowest

percentage of fingerprints is double loop with just five percent. The second highest

percentage is whorl fingerprint pattern with 41.67 percent.

The most common fingerprint pattern among our respondent is single loop. From the

result show that the highest percentage of fingerprint pattern for right hand is same with left

hand fingerprint pattern. There are no arch fingerprint pattern among our respondent and it

also same with left hand fingerprint pattern. The result of our research show that the used of

left or right hand on daily life routine does not affect the pattern of fingerprint. Therefore the

inference that notice in the left hand fingerprint pattern cannot be accepted.

Percentage (%) of Left Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Male Respondents

20

63.33

16.67

Percentage (%)



male respondents. The pie chart shows that the highest percentage for fingerprint pattern is

single loop with 63.33 percent. The lowest percentage of fingerprint percentage is arch with 0

percent. This means there is no respondent with this type of fingerprint. The seeing lowest is

whorl pattern with 16.67 percent while the second highest percentage of fingerprint is double

loop with 20 percent. From the pie chart, we have been discovered the most available


pattern among male respondent for their left hand fingerprints. The single loop fingerprint is

the most common among our respondent because it has the highest percentage while the arch

fingerprint has the lowest percentage.

Percentage (%) of Left Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Female Respondents

16.67

36.67

46.67

Percentage (%)



female respondents. The pie chart shows that the highest percentage for fingerprint pattern is

whorl with 46.67 percent. The lowest percentage of fingerprint percentage is arch with 0


double loop pattern with 16.67 percent while the second highest percentage of fingerprint is

single loop with 36.67 percent. From the pie chart, we have been discovered the most

available fingerprint pattern among our respondent is whorl and there is no arch fingerprint

pattern among female respondent for their left hand fingerprints. The whorl fingerprint is the

most common among our female respondent for their left hand because it has the highest

percentage while the arch fingerprint has the lowest percentage.

Percentage (%) of Right Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Male Respondents

3.33

56.67

40

Percentage (%)


The pie chart show that the overall percentage of right hand fingerprint pattern among

male respondents. The pie chart shows that the highest percentage for fingerprint pattern is

single loop with 56.67 percent. The lowest percentage of fingerprint percentage is arch with 0


double pattern with 3.33 percent while the second highest percentage of fingerprint is double

loop with 40 percent. From the pie chart, we have been discovered the most available


pattern among male respondent for their right hand fingerprints. The single loop fingerprint is

the most common among our respondent because it has the highest percentage while the arch

fingerprint has the lowest percentage.

Percentage (%) of Right Hand Fingerprint Patterns Among Female Respondents

6.67

50

43.33

Percentage (%)


The pie chart show that the overall percentage of right hand fingerprint pattern among

female respondents. The pie chart shows that the highest percentage for fingerprint pattern is

single loop with 50 percent. The lowest percentage of fingerprint percentage is arch with 0


double loop pattern with 6.67 percent while the second highest percentage of fingerprint is

whorl with 43.33 percent. From the pie chart, we have been discovered the most available


pattern among female respondent for their right hand fingerprints. The single loop fingerprint

is the most common among our female respondent because it has the highest percentage

while the arch fingerprint has the lowest percentage.

We also did make another research about the relation of fingerprints pattern with

general permanent characteristics of any individual. It is based on previous research that was

developed by Richard Unger, a hand analyst for over 40 years, and the founder of the

International Institute of Hand Analysis. It is called LifePrints. LifePrints is a method of

fingerprint analysis used to determine person Life Purpose. It is using pointer and thumb

fingerprints of right hand. Below is the relationship between the patterns of fingerprints with

the personal characteristics;

The first pattern here represents fingerprints of pointer finger. The second one represent

fingerprint of thumb finger.

Loop and Loop

You are a loving and tolerant person who likes to socialize. You are not stubborn or stuck in

your ways. You prefer to be flexible and adaptable to each situation.

Loop and Whorl

You are highly original in your methods to getting the results you seek. Once you decide

what you want, you are able to make it happen. You are easy going and social and present

yourself in a straightforward way.

Loop and Double loop

You are a very diplomatic person because you are always able to see both sides of a story. In

getting your results, you can see more than one way of getting there. You prefer variety to

routine and may have a hard time committing 100 percent to something.

Loop and Arch

You are slow and steady in your progress. You may work well with your hands and you

enjoy the outdoors. You are practical in your methods and confidence will build over time.

Rushing into things may make you uncomfortable. You also have a stubborn side to your

personality.

Whorl and Loop

You have a strong sense of self. You may be secretive. You see yourself as an individual

before part of a group. You prefer to work alone or to be in charge of your work environment.

Whorl and Whorl

You are highly original in your methods to getting the results you seek. Once you decide

what you want, you are able to make it happen. You have a strong sense of self. You may be

secretive. You see yourself as an individual before part of a group. You prefer to work alone

or to be in charge of your work environment.

Whorl and Double loop

You are a very diplomatic person because you are always able to see both sides of a story. In

getting your results, you can see more than one way of getting there. You prefer variety to

routine and may have a hard time committing 100 percent to something.

Whorl and Arch




personality. You have a strong sense of self. You may be secretive. You see yourself as an

individual before part of a group. You prefer to work alone or to be in charge of your work

environment.

Double loop and Loop

You are a person who loves variety. Sometimes it's hard for you to know what you truly

want. You are very diplomatic and can always see two sides of the story. You may be a Jack

of all trades.

Double loop and Whorl



of all trades. You are highly original in your methods to getting the results you seek. Once

you decide what you want, you are able to make it happen. You are easy going and social and

present yourself in a straightforward way.

Double loop and Double loop



of all trades.

Double loop and Arch



of all trades. You are slow and steady in your progress. You may work well with your hands

and you enjoy the outdoors. You are practical in your methods and confidence will build over

time. Rushing into things may make you uncomfortable. You also have a stubborn side to

your personality.

Arch and Loop

You are cautious, stubborn, loyal, and reliable. You work well with your hands, but your

confidence may develop slowly. You may get stuck in behavior cycles. Remember to try new

things every once in awhile!

Arch and Whorl



things every once in awhile! You are highly original in your methods to getting the results

you seek. Once you decide what you want, you are able to make it happen.

Arch and Double loop



things every once in awhile!

Arch and Arch




personality.

When research was conducted, almost 100% of the respondent agreed that the above

personality characteristics are true with them. Our respondents were about 50 people that

composed of lecturers and biology UPSI students. This really show that individual

personality can be determined by analyzing fingerprints as stated by Richard Unger, a hand

analyst for over 40 years, and the founder of the International Institute of Hand Analysis.

Conclusion:

Fingerprints have been used for many years to identify people. There are three basic

types of fingerprints which are loops, arches, and whorls. Everyone falls into one of these

categories. Loops are an extended version of parabolas that occur on maximum people's

finger tips, in almost 60% cases. These patterns have an oblong delta and core that is shaped

like a loop. The core especially appears like a bean. Ulnar loops and radial loops are two

different patterns of loops. The radial ones have a free flowing and constant delta but the

ulnar ones have more obstructed deltas. Whorls are also common as the loops and occur in

almost 25% people. In a whorl pattern, the ridges are concentric. There are different

abnormalities in the concentric circles as the deltas and cores tend to fluctuate and go out of

the concentric circles. Some common types of whorls include plain whorl, central pocket

whorl, double loop whorl and accidental whorl. Arches are usually observed on the mid of

the finger tip, and have friction ridges, that are run in a parabola from one side of the pattern

to another without turning back. There are some patterns where the ridges do re-curve back

into the pattern. There is usually no delta (triangular patch), in this pattern. Some important

sub-patterns of Arches include, plain arches, radial arches, ulnar arches and tented arches,

which are based upon the re-curving patterns,delta and core structures. Fingerprints are so

unique because there is no one has the same number of minutia points in the same places. The

fingerprint analysis also can be used for identifying personal characteristics of an individual.

But this method cannot be determined it accuracy since it is cannot be prove scientifically in

science field.

REFERENCES:

i. http://www.worldofhands.com/index.html

ii. http://www.policensw.com/info/fingerprints/finger06.html

iii. http://www.policensw.com/info/fingerprints/finger07.html

iv. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerprint

v. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Henry_Classification_System

vi. http://www.slideshare.net/juroc26/fingerprint-classification-slide-2

vii. http://www.henryleeinstitute.com/worxcms_published/courses_page43.shtml

viii. http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/prints.html

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Basic Fingerprints Classification And Analysis