Forensic Identification Services
Finger Prints
The fingerprints
shown in the table below are examples of pattern types as defined in the
Henry system of fingerprint classification. This system is named for its
inventor, Sir Edward Richard Henry, and has been in use in most of the
English-speaking world since the early 20th century. This classification
system allows for the searching of unknown fingerprints by classifying
each print according to the rules as set out by Henry.
Forensic Identification
Services of the Toronto Police used this system for many decades, until
the implementation of the AFIS computerized system in 1989. The AFIS classification
system is known as "Autoclass" and is based on Henry. The Autoclass system
is actually simpler because all patterns from Whorl to Accidental (except
the Lateral Pocket Loop), as shown in the table, are classified as Whorls.
This is because the system is computerized and thus does not require the
same degree of breakdown as is required in a manual system such as Henry. |
