If a whorl appears in either the right thumb or right index finger space, what value is assigned to that space on a fingerprint card?

In the context of fingerprint classification, specifically when using the Henry system or a similar methodology, certain values are assigned to specific fingerprint patterns to facilitate organization and identification. When a whorl pattern appears in the right thumb or right index finger position, a value of 16 is typically assigned.

The significance of this value stems from the classification system, where different fingerprint patterns—such as arches, loops, and whorls—are categorized and assigned numerical values to help in identification and comparison. Whorls are one of the more complex patterns and are given a specific and higher value due to their distinctiveness and the amount of unique information they can provide about an individual's fingerprint.

This classification system helps forensic experts and latent print examiners efficiently catalog and analyze fingerprints, making it easier to match latent prints found at crime scenes with those of known individuals. In this case, the assignment of the value 16 recognizes the importance of a whorl in the specified finger positions.