What percentage of all fingerprint patterns are whorls?

The percentage of fingerprint patterns that are classified as whorls is approximately 30 to 35 percent of the total fingerprint patterns observed in the population. This classification comes from a well-established understanding of fingerprint pattern types, which also include loops and arches. Whorls are characterized by a circular or spiral arrangement of ridges and are one of the more common patterns found in fingerprints.

Many studies and analytical surveys of fingerprint patterns across diverse populations have consistently shown that whorls make up a substantial segment of total classifications, reinforcing the significance of this pattern type in forensic analysis. This makes the choice stating 35 percent a sound estimate based on prevalent forensic and anthropological data, aligning closely with general statistics found in the field of fingerprint analysis.