There are four main types of fingerprints, loops, whorls, arches, and abstract.

However,
no two fingerprints are alike. A fingerprint is a pattern of marks in ink of the lines on the
tip of a finger used for the purpose of identification.

Fingerprinting is the process of identification based on the impressions of the ends of the
fingers. The impressions consist of patterns formed by ridges that cover the skin of the
fingertips. Fingerprints provide one of the most reliable methods of identification. No
person’s fingerprint is identical to any other human being. In most cases, fingerprints
remain the same throughout any person’s lifetime. Ridges on the person’s fingerprints
only change as a result of surgery, disease, or an accident.

Fingerprints are often used in the investigation of crimes. Prints found at the scene of a
crime may help identify the subjects. Fingerprints that match police records are strong
evidence in court. Fingerprinting may help prevent crime. For example, banks, military
bases, and government buildings use computers to check fingerprints of employers before
they can be admitted to different areas. A number of states allow children to be
fingerprinted to help identify them if they are later reported missing.

Fingerprints are recorded by rubbing the finger in special ink and pressing down on a
white card, producing a copy of the prints. Fingerprints are either visible or they’re not.
Most visible fingerprints are soiled with blood, dirt, or other substances. Non-visible
prints (latent) are made by perspirational oils that exist naturally on the fingers. Visible
prints can be photographed immediately. Latent prints must be developed first. Police use
colored powder to develop most latent prints found on non-absorbent surfaces like wood
or metal. The powder is brushed onto the surface and sticks to the oils in the print. The
prints are then lifted from the surface by pressing sticky tape to the print. The prints are
then photographed from the tape.

There are four main types of fingerprints. In the most common pattern, the loop, ridges
begin on the side of the finger, curve back sharply, and end on the same side. Ridges in
the whorl pattern have a circular form. In the arch pattern, the ridges extend from one
side of the finger to the other with a rise in the center. Abstract prints are a combination
of all of these patterns.

Before the development of fingerprinting, people identified criminals and slaves by

branding them, tattooing, or even amputating a limb. Other early methods of
identification were less reliable but more humane. It included photography and the
Bertillion system, a technique based on measuring the arms, legs, and other body parts.