Discover: The Case of the Kidnapped Cat

How can we classify fingerprint evidence collected from various surfaces?

Fingerprint types are classified based on the shape formed by the ridges – the tiny lines you see on the surface of your skin. Most fingerprints are classified as four general types:


loop


arch


whorl


composite

Grouping fingerprints this way helps investigators when they are comparing and cataloguing their evidence.

  •   Notebook: What are the four types of fingerprints?

  1. Click here to download this activity. 
  2. Complete the activity using the links provided (in the activity and below).
  3. Save to your Investigation Notebook. 

Activity Links:

 You will need to access/create your free Wonderville account. You will need an adult to help you if you have not created this account already.


  Check Your Answers

Fingerprint Type

Description

Select an example

arch

Wave-like ridges enter from one side and leave the other side.

loop

Ridges come and leave from the same direction to form a loop.

whorl

Ridges form circles.

composite

Two or more types are combined, or the fingerprints do not look like any other types.


  Career Connection

The Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS) is a computerized system that stores the fingerprints of known criminals so that various police agencies can use them. The AFIS system has the fingerprints of over fifty million individuals—and that includes many innocent people, too! For example, airline travellers to the US might be required to have their fingerprints recorded.

To learn more about how the AFIS system works, watch Technology Today.