Western Australian Palm Print Classification System and Subdivisions

Western Australian Palmprint Classification (WAPC) is a classification system for palm areas based on the numeric values of primary division and alphanumeric values of secondary division. Like Henry’s classification values, the WAPC values are also arranged in fractions.

Example of Australian Palm Print Classification Value 

Here is an example of palmprint classification value by the Australian system proposed by Baird, in 1959.

Tripartite Division of Palm Print

For calculating the WAPC value, the palm area was first divided into three parts called as “Tripartite Division”.

Area 1: Thenar

The area stretched from half of the wrist area (separated by a lifeline) to the index finger.

Area 2: InterDigital

The area stretched from the ground of the index finger to the ring finger separated by a heart line.

Area 3: Hypothenar

Area left by the thenar and interdigital tripartite division of palm

How Australian Palm Print Classification System Works?

The Australian palmprint classification is the modified version of Henry’s classification system and uses the same values as in Henry’s classification. 

The value of Australian Palmprint Classification System is divided into two major classifications:

1. Primary Classification
2. Secondary Classification
   • First Division
   • Second Division (secondary subclassification)

1. Primary Palmprint Classification 

Like the Henry Primary classification system, in this classification, there are also sets of values for pattern types. However, the values are assigned when any type of pattern is seen on the interdigital palm area.

Note: In Henry’s primary classification, values are only allotted when prints are whorl but in the WAPC system, values are allotted when any pattern type is seen.

Finally, the resultant values are then added with 1 to come up final primary palmprint classification value.

Read More: Liverpool Palmprint Classification System: How to Calculate Values?

[Table] Assigned Values of Primary Division Based on Pattern in Tripartite Area

Pattern and Tripartite Area	Specific Value
Interdigital #5 finger delta to ulnar edge	1
Interdigital #4 finger delta to #3 finger delta	2
Interdigital #3 finger delta to radial edge	4
Thenar	8
Hypothenar	16
No pattern in Area	0

Read More: 11 Reasons Why Fingerprints Used for Identification: Importance of Fingerprints in Forensic

2. Secondary Palm Print Classification System

The secondary classification is further subdivided into two subdivisions: (a) First Division and (b) Second Division.

A. First Division

• The pattern types of the thenar and hypothenar areas are considered.
• The values are expressed in fractions.
  • Numerator: Pattern type in Thenar area
  • Denominator: Pattern type in Hypothenar area

B. Second Division

• It is sometimes called secondary sub-classification.
• The pattern types in the thumb and index finger and the interdigital area are considered.
• The values are expressed in fractions:
  • Numerator: Thumb to Index area
  • Denominator: Interdigital

Note: Subsecondary divisions sometimes have another subdivision involved in ridge counting and ridge tracing. Their values are expressed to the right of second-division values.

Patterns Type and Respective Symbol/Code for the Australian Palm Print Classification System 

Pattern	Location	Symbol
Arch	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	A None A a
Exceptional arch	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	E e E e
Joined arch	All four Area	J
Joined arch #1	Hypothenar only	J1
Joined arch #2	Hypothenar only	J2
Vertical arch #1	Hypothenar only	V1
Tented arch	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	T t T t
Tented arch # 1	Hypothenar	T1
Tented arch # 2	Hypothenar	T2
Radial loop	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	R r R r
Radial loop #1	Hypothenar	R1
Radial loop #2	Hypothenar	R2
Radial loop #3	Hypothenar	R3
Radial loop #4	Hypothenar	R4
Ulnar loop	All four area	U
Ulnar loop #1	Hypothenar	U1
Ulnar loop #2	Hypothenar	U2
Ulnar loop #3	Hypothenar	U3
Ulnar loop #4	Hypothenar	U4
Distal loop	Interdigital	L
Whorl	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	W w W w
Central Pocket Loop	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	C c C c
Double loop	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	D d D d
Accidental	Thenar Thumb-index Hypothenar Interdigital	X x X x

References:

• The Fingerprint Sourcebook By United States Department of Justice [Link]
• Touchless Palmprint Recognition Systems By Angelo Genovese, Vincenzo Piuri, Fabio Scotti [Link]
• A Modern Approach for Palmprint Recognition System [Link]
• Advanced Biometric Technologies By Stan Z. Li.
• Palm Print Recognition System: Need, Uses, and Working