NCIC Classification System
The acronym NCIC stands for National Crime Information Center, which is a computerized system based in Washington, DC. This system is a computer database of wanted persons. The classification process used with this method is much easier to understand than is the Henry system as there are fewer rules to follow. However, the system is based on the Henry system. The system uses twenty characters on a line. This means each finger will be represented by two characters. The characters are representative of patterns and subgroup symbols. There are four categories to this system that are considered for inclusion. The groups are Arches, Whorls, Loops, and Others.
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Pattern
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Character
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A. Arches
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1. Plain
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AA
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2. Tented
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TT
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B. Whorls—A ridge trace value must also be included in the characters.
I = Inner M = Meet 0 = Outer
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|
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1. Plain
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PI, PM, PO
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2. Central Pocket Loop Whorl
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Cl, CM, CO
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3. Double Loop Whorl
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DI, DM, DO
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4. Accidental
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XI, XM, XO
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C. Loops—Must have two digits. If the number is lower than 10, a 0 must be placed in front of the number.
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1. Ulnar loop
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Actual ridge count: 1-9 = 01 - 09
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2. Radial loop
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Actual ridge count + 50
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D. Other
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1. Missing/Amputated
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XX
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2. Scarred
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SR
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Example:
19 I 12 14 W U CP U U 12 M M R A W DL T
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PI09CI121462AAPMDMTT
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IAFIS
Recent changes in the designations of fingerprints by the FBI within the NCIC system, as a result of new Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System (IAFIS) designations, are based on fingerprint patterns. The new NCIC classification system will eventually replace the Henry Classification, as well as the old NCIC code system. The new IAFIS NCIC system will still require two characters per finger or a total of twenty characters on a line.
Both the old and the new codes are indicated below for clarity of information.
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Old: NCIC
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New: IAFIS
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Plain arch
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AA
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AU
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Tented arch
|
TT
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AU
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Ulnar loop (right hand)
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Actual Ridge Count
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RS (right slant)
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Ulnar loop (left hand)
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Actual Ridge Count
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LS (left slant)
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(continued)
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Old: NCIC
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New: IAFIS
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Radial loop (right hand)
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Actual Ridge Count + 50
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LS (left slant)
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Radial loop (left hand)
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Actual Ridge Count + 50
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RS (right slant)
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Plain whorl (inner trace value)
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PI
|
WU
|
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Plain whorl (meet trace value)
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PM
|
WU
|
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Plain whorl (outer trace value)
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PO
|
WU
|
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Central pocket loop (inner trace value)
|
Cl
|
WU
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Central pocket loop (meet trace value)
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CM
|
WU
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Central pocket loop (outer trace value)
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CO
|
WU
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Double loop whorl (inner trace value)
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DI
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WU
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Double loop whorl (meet trace value)
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DM
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WU
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Double loop whorl (outer trace value)
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DO
|
WU
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Accidental whorl (inner trace value)
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XI
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WU
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Accidental whorl (meet trace value)
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XM
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WU
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Accidental whorl (outer trace value)
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XO
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WU
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Scarred
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SR
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SR
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Amputated
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XX
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XX
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Where a print or pattern cannot be classified
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UC
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UC
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Where a print is unattainable
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UP
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UP
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To further clarify the application of the new IAFIS designation on the NCIC inquiry, the following example shows the fingerprint class (old) with the pattern class (new).
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Fingerprint Class (NCIC)
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Pattern Class (IAFIS)
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PO CO PM 15 11 PO DO 12 14 08
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WU WU WU RS RS WU WU LS LS LS
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Law 
