Arch
Definition
A fingerprint pattern in which ridges flow across from one side to the other without recurving and without enclosing a central area. The least common pattern type (approximately 5%). Subtypes: plain arch and tented arch.
- Classification system
- Henry Classification System
- Ridge flow
- Side to side, no recurving, no core
- Prevalence
- Approximately 5% of fingerprints
- Subtypes
- Plain arch, tented arch
Common questions
How is an arch distinguished from a loop in ridge examination?+
A loop has at least one ridge that recurves and forms a delta, while an arch's ridges simply flow across the pattern from one side to the other without recurving, and because it has no true core or delta it also has no ridge count value under Henry's system.
What is the difference between a plain arch and a tented arch?+
A plain arch shows a smooth, gentle rise in ridge flow across the pattern, while a tented arch has a sharper upthrust, often with ridges converging at an angle or a near-vertical spike, sometimes near enough to loop features to require careful comparison against true loops.
Related terms
- ACE-V
- Analysis, Comparison, Evaluation, Verification: the four-stage method for latent print examination used by accredited forensic fingerprint laboratories. Analysis examines the latent in...
- Core
- The approximate centre of a fingerprint pattern. In a loop, it is identified as the innermost recurving ridge's peak or the tip...
- Delta (Triradius)
- The point of convergence of three ridge systems in a loop or whorl, visible as a Y-junction or triangular confluence. Loops have...
- Henry Classification System
- The fingerprint filing and retrieval system developed by Edward Henry with Haque and Bose in Bengal in the 1890s and adopted by...
- Level 1 Detail
- In ACE-V, the broadest level of information extracted from a fingerprint: the overall ridge flow and pattern type (arch, loop, whorl). Level...
- Loop
- A fingerprint pattern in which ridges enter from one side, recurve, and exit on the same side. The most common pattern type...
- Ridge Counting
- For loop patterns: the number of ridges crossing an imaginary straight line drawn from core to delta, excluding the core and delta...
- Ridge Tracing
- For whorl patterns: following the ridge issuing from the inner side of the left delta toward the right delta and recording whether...
- Whorl
- A fingerprint pattern in which at least one ridge makes a complete circuit around a central area, or forms a related closed...