MCOLES State Licensing Practice Exam

How many types of whorl fingerprints are there?

1. 2

2. 4

3. 5

4. 3

The correct answer is: 4

In the study of fingerprint classification, whorl fingerprints are one of the primary patterns and they can be categorized into several distinct types. There are four recognized types of whorl patterns: plain whorl, central pocket loop whorl, double loop whorl, and accidental whorl. Each of these whorl types has specific characteristics that help in distinguishing them from one another during forensic analysis. The plain whorl typically features concentric circles, creating a circular pattern. The central pocket loop contains a loop with one or more whorls that create a pocket. The double loop consists of two distinct loop formations, and the accidental whorl is a combination of different patterns that don’t fit neatly into the other categories. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in forensic science, particularly in fingerprint identification and criminal investigations. This classification helps professionals systematically document and compare fingerprints, aiding in the accuracy of identifications and security measures.