| 8 | S | 1 | Ua | II | 6 |
| S | 1 | U | III | ||
| Key | Major | Primary | Small Letter Secondary | (Subsecondary Extension) | Final |
| SML SML | (Second Subsecondary) | ||||
| 5 | 0 | 5 | U | IOO | 14 |
| I | 17 | U | IOO | ||
| Key | Major | Primary | Secondary | Subsecondary | Final |
| 245 332 | (Special Loop Extension) | ||||
| 14 | M | 1 | U | IOO | 16 |
| S | 1 | U | OII | ||
| Key | Major | Primary | Secondary | Subsecondary | Final |
| 15 | I | 29 | W | IOO | 19 |
| I | 28 | W | OOI | ||
| Key | Major | Primary | Secondary | Subsecondary | Final |
These several examples should help to illustrate the FBI's extended classification formulas for classifying and filing fingerprints. The larger collection of fingerprints must of necessity call for a more detailed analysis of all fingerprint characteristic details. The closer examination to obtain further fingerprint subdivisions is dependent on ten legible inked impressions.
The identification officer will understand the problems of accurately classifying and filing fingerprint cards. He knows there is little value in placing a fingerprint card in the FBI's files with only an approximate or an inaccurate classification.
Every fingerprint card filed in the FBI's file is of value to the particular law enforcement agency which forwarded it, as well as to all other law enforcement agencies which rely on its being correctly classified and filed.
[Temporary disabilities]
There are temporary disabilities affecting an individual's hand which are sometimes beyond the control of the identification officer. These can be fresh cuts, or wounds, bandaged fingers or finger, occupational (carpenters, bricklayers, etc.) blisters, and excessive perspiration. Children, whose ridges are small and fine, would also come under this heading. Extreme care should be exercised in fingerprinting the aforementioned.
An indication on the fingerprint card to the effect "fresh cut, bandaged" is not sufficient to file the fingerprint card. It is obvious that a fingerprint card bearing these notations cannot be properly classified and filed. The same situation would occur if there were a blister on an individual's finger. The blister temporarily disfigures the ridge detail. When an injury is temporary, the prints, if at all possible, should not be taken until after the injury has healed.