​Instructor: Brian Turner, MFS, CTPE
Course length:  4 hours

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Loops, Whorls, Arches, Oh My!  With the advent of the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) and the decline in use of the Henry Classification System, the art of Pattern Interpretation has been on the decline.  However, Pattern Interpretation is still vital in the world of a Tenprint Examiner and even a valuable tool for a Latent Print Examiner.  Pattern Interpretation is still needed today for NCIC Classification and agencies that still have Henry Card Files.
 
The purpose of this course is to apply all the rules of Fingerprint Pattern Interpretation to properly classify Fingerprints.  At the completion of this 4-hour course, the student will be introduced to the rules of fingerprint pattern interpretation.  The students will be able to apply the rules in order to successful classify fingerprints.  Students will also successfully be able to determine ridge counting of loops and whorl tracings. 
 
This 4 hour Rules of Fingerprint Pattern Classification webinar is a condensed version of the two day Pattern Interpretation for Tenprint Examiner course. This course is an ideal refresher course for current tenprint and latent print examiners or for those just entering the field.  Pattern interpretation is a component of the IAI Tenprint Certification Test.
 
PREREQUISITE: This webinar is open to current fingerprint examiners and individuals who have attended a basic fingerprint identification training course.
 
OUTLINE:
 
Hours (1-3) Lecture/Examples

• What are types of fingerprints?
• Loops:
  • What are three requirements of a loop?
  • Identifying cores, typelines, deltas
  • Ridge Counting rules and examples
  • Exercise – Loop classification and ridge count for a set of patterns
• Arches:
  • What are two types of arches? 
  • Plain Arch definition and examples
  • Types of tented arches and examples
  • Exercise – differentiating between plain and tented arches
• Whorls:
  • What are the four types of whorls?
  • Requirements to be classified as Plain Whorl
  • Requirements to be classified as Central Pocket Whorl
  • Requirements to be classified as Double Loop Whorl
  • Requirements to be classified as Accidental Whorl
  • Rules and Guidelines for Whorl Tracing
  • Exercise – classifying and whorl tracing for a set of patterns

 Hour 4:

• Final Exercise – Given a set of fingerprints, the student will correctly identify fingerprint pattern and give corresponding ridge count or whorl tracings. 

 

• Written Exam – Given a series of questions to test knowledge student has learned in on the rules of pattern interpretation. 

 
 
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
 
Upon completion of this webinar, the student will be able to:

• List the three types of fingerprint patterns
• List the three requirements of a loop
• Describe how to count ridges when classifying a loop
• List the two types of arches
• Explain the differences between a plain arch and a tented arch
• List at least three types of whorls
• Explain the differences between plain, central pocket, double-loop, and accidental whorls
• Explain a process that can be employed to trace whorls

Brian Turner

​Holding a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Biology from Ramapo College of New Jersey and a Master’s Degree of Science in Forensic Science from the University of New Haven, Brian Turner began his career as Tenprint Examiner for Broward County Sheriff’s Office in Biometric Identification Unit.

He ran the internship program at the Biometric Identification Unit and instructed incoming Department of Detention Deputy Cadets in basics of fingerprint science.

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