Types+of+Fingerprints

Types of Fingerprints

Fingerprints are classified into three different groups (or patterns):

Arches (5% of the population)

Loops (60-65% of the population) Whorls (30-35% of the population)

These basic fingerprint types are then classified further by specialised features within them. Here is a link to the Henry Classification System, and some examples of print types.

The fingerprints found at a crime scene are classified three different ways:
 * __Latent Prints:__ The prints that are formed by oil and sweat that are on an individual's fingers when they touch a surface or object. These are not visible to the naked eye and have to be dusted or treated in some way to be seen.


 * __Visible Prints:__ These prints are formed when the hand has something on it such as blood, ink or another coloured substance that leaves a very visible print.


 * __Plastic Prints:__ (also called Moulded Prints) These prints are the type left in a soft substance such as wax, soap or clay after being touched by a human hand.

__Interesting Fact:__ Identifcal twins have exactly the same DNA but there has never been a recorded instance of identical twins ever having the same set of fingerprints.