Which are the three primary types of fingerprints?

Which are the three primary types of fingerprints?

• A. Loops, Whorls, Arches
• B. Radial loops, Whorls, Arch features
• C. Arches, Plaits, Twists
• D. Loops, Whorls, Digits

Answer: (C)

Fingerprints are categorized into three broad ridge patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. A loop enters from one side, curves, and exits on the same side; a whorl forms a circular or spiral pattern with at least two deltas; an arch rises above the plane and exits on the opposite side without any deltas. Terms like plaits or twists aren’t used as the main classes; they aren’t part of the standard three categories, whereas arches, loops, and whorls together capture the main variations you’ll see. Some prints have subtypes (plain vs tented arches, radial vs ulnar loops, etc.), but the primary types remain loops, whorls, and arches.

Fingerprints are categorized into three broad ridge patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. A loop enters from one side, curves, and exits on the same side; a whorl forms a circular or spiral pattern with at least two deltas; an arch rises above the plane and exits on the opposite side without any deltas. Terms like plaits or twists aren’t used as the main classes; they aren’t part of the standard three categories, whereas arches, loops, and whorls together capture the main variations you’ll see. Some prints have subtypes (plain vs tented arches, radial vs ulnar loops, etc.), but the primary types remain loops, whorls, and arches.