NCIC Fingerprint Classification

The NCIC method of fingerprint classification is utilized in many ways by the criminal justice system to better establish the identity of an individual.

When a wanted person's fingerprint classification is available, the NCIC FPC should always be included in the wanted person's record for entry into the TIME System Warrant/Wanted Persons File.

While not a positive identifier, the NCIC fingerprint classification can be of assistance in eliminating a person as a suspected wanted person, or a suspect in a criminal investigation.  It is also included on the Crime Information Bureau Identification Transcript as an additional identifier.  The use of the NCIC FPC in communications is less subject to error in transmission than the Henry Classification and is convertible to the Henry Classification for searching fingerprint files.

The NCIC FPC formula is printed in a straight line of 20 alphabetic and numeric characters, beginning with the right thumb as number 1, and continuing through number 10 with the left thumb being number 6.

Two characters are to be used for each finger as shown in the following table:

Pattern Type	Pattern Subgroup	NCIC FPC Code
Arch	Plain Arch	AA
	Tented Arch	TT
Loop	Radial Loop	2 numeric characters.  Determine actual ridge count and add fifty (50).
	Ulnar Loop	2 numeric characters indicating actual ridge count.  If ridge count in less that 10, precede the count with a zero (0).
Whorl	Plain Whorl	Enter "P" followed by tracing of whorl.
	Inner Tracing	PI
	Meeting Tracing	PM
	Outer Tracing	PO
	Central Pocket Loop	Enter "C" followed by tracing of whorl.
	Inner Tracing	CI
	Meeting Tracing	CM
	Outer Tracing	CO
	Double Loop	Enter "d" followed by tracing of whorl.
	Inner Tracing	dI
	Meeting Tracing	dM
	Outer Tracing	dO
	Accidental	Enter "X" followed by tracing of whorl.
	Inner Tracing	XI
	Meeting Tracing	XM
	Outer Tracing	XO
Missing or Amputated Finger		XX
Completely Scarred or Mutilated Pattern		SR