Model for Predicting Fingerprint Pattern Class from Distal Phalangeal Dimensions

The classification of fingerprint patterns into primary archetypes loops, whorls, and arches is a cornerstone of forensic and biometric identification. However, this process can be rendered ineffective due to dermal trauma, scarring, occupational abrasion, or low-quality impression capture. This paper proposes a novel supplementary technique that shifts analysis from the microscopic ridge detail to the macroscopic geometry of the finger itself. We hypothesize that the length and width of the distal phalanx provide a morphological template that strongly correlates with the resulting fingerprint pattern formed during fetal development. To test this, we developed a predictive model based on anthropometric measurements (length and width) from a dataset of [10,000] known, undamaged fingerprints.