Andres J. Washington
Fingerprint Geometric
Analysis
The Fingerprints of Malcolm
X
The dermal ridge arrangements
of Malcolm X (1925-1965) are far different than those to which we most commonly
encounter. The right thumb impression of
Malcolm was a horizontal radial loop. In
other words, the ridges enter and exit in the direction of the radius
bone. Two variables which influence the
display of a given pattern are gender and racial stock. However, considering the above and all other
known variables, radial loops have failed to provide a display on the
aforementioned digit at frequencies higher than one percent. Malcolm’s left index fingerprint was also a
horizontal radial loop. The radial loop
is a minority pattern in so much as the definition can be understood. Its counterpart, the ulnar loop, maintains
the highest frequency among all other patterns. Further, the discovery of a
horizontal radial 1oop upon the person of another individual has been infrequently
noted in my thirty-one years of study!
Loop patterns are characteristically diagonal in appearance. It is noteworthy however to mention that the
February 1983 issue of the FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin displayed a horizontal
loop pattern on the back cover. It was
described as interesting and unusual.
Malcolm also displayed variety
in the distribution of his dermatoglyphic configuration. Most individuals display patterns that are
consistent with the patterns of the neighboring digits. In noting the three basic patterns, arch,
loop, and the whorl, no particular pattern dominates in Malcolm’s overall
display. Notwithstanding, the right ring
finger of Malcolm was a central pocket loop whorl pattern. The frequency for this pattern to appear on
the right ring finger is approximately 8.8 percent. This pattern was the only whorl pattern in
the ten set of fingerprints displayed.
Under the original rules for
classifying fingerprints according to the Henry System of Fingerprint
Classification and Filing, we would conclude that there were three plain arch
patterns, the right index, right middle and the left thumb. However, under revised rules for
classification, the right middle finger is classified as a tented arch pattern
(technical). A technical tented arch is
a pattern that has two of the three requirements necessary to be considered a
loop pattern. This pattern (#3) had a
delta and a core but did not display a recurving ridge in front of the
delta. I have not seen a study to
include the frequency of technical tented arches on the right middle
finger. In reference to the classic
tented arch, it's frequency on the right middle is close to the 3 percent
margin.
The
breakdown on the combination of fingerprint patterns for Malcolm X was the
following:
Four Ulnar
Loop patterns (# 5, 8, 9 and 10)
Two Plain
Arch patterns (# 2 and 6)
One Tented
Arch Pattern (# 3)
Two Radial
Loop patterns (# 1 and 7)
One Central
Pocket Loop Type Whorl pattern (# 4)
An extraordinary configuration of the dermal
ridge arrangements and
the variance of pattern display
indicate an elevated mental manifestation.
Click here
to view the fingerprints of Malcolm X.
Click here to view Claus Miller’s artistic interpretation
of the right ring fingerprint of Malcolm X.
Copyright
© Andres J. Washington