What percentage of all fingerprint patterns are arches?

The percentage of all fingerprint patterns that are classified as arches is generally recognized to be around 5 percent. This classification is based on the analysis of fingerprint patterns, which are typically categorized into three main types: loops, whorls, and arches. Among these types, loops are the most common, accounting for about 60-70 percent of all patterns, while whorls comprise around 25-35 percent. Arches, being the least common type, indeed make up about 5 percent of all fingerprints. This statistic is critical in the field of forensic science and helps latent print examiners estimate the likelihood of encountering different fingerprint patterns in various populations or crime scenes. Understanding the frequency of these patterns aids in both identification and comparison processes when analyzing latent prints.