EDVOTEK ® SUMMER CAMP ACTIVITY BOOKLET
ANALYZING FINGERPRINTS
Fingerprints are divided into three general patterns referred to as loops, whorls, and arches. Loops are the most common of fingerprint patterns, representing about 60% of the population. Around 30% of the population has whorls. Arches are the least common of the three general patterns, representing about 10% of all fingerprints. A typical LOOP pattern displays one or more ridges that enter from one side of the print, curve like a loop, and exit from the same side (Figure 1). A WHORL pattern has at least one ridge that makes a complete circle. Many times, the ridges form concentric circles (Figure 2). ARCHES display ridges that enter from one side of the fingertip and exit from the other side. Arches are further subdivided into plain or tented forms. PLAIN ARCHES are wavelike, gently rising in the center of the arch pattern (Figure 3). In contrast, the TENTED ARCH has a sharp cone like pattern at the center of the fingertip (Figure 4).
Figure 1: Loop
Figure 2: Plain Whorl
Figure 3: Plain Arch
Figure 4: Tented Arch
ANALYZE the fingerprints below and DETERMINE if it is a loop, whorl, plain arch, or tented arch pattern. WRITE in your answers on the lines below each fingerprint.
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