The FBI hopes to someday get rid of the fingerprint cards, and keep them all computerized. This will hopefully allow them to use them in the event of unknown casualties identification. The identification and classification of fingerprints goes further than simply the twelve-point system. As fingerprints were studied it was noticed that there are eight basic patterns that most fingerprints can fall under. One must look at the different types of fingerprints to find out how each one can be categorized.
Some fingerprints have loops, others whorls, and some arches.
There are many different variants when looking at fingerprints. These different titles explain what is observed within that certain fingerprint. For exact examples pictures of these different fingerprint patterns can be found throughout the paper. The more common categories are loop, double loop, central pocket loop, plain whorl, plain arch, and tented arch. The FBI s radial loop and lunar loop are used to describe different kinds of loops.