What is a common characteristic of a whorl fingerprint pattern?

A whorl fingerprint pattern is characterized by having two deltas. Deltas are the triangular regions formed by the diverging ridge lines in a fingerprint, and the presence of two deltas is a defining feature of whorl patterns. The core, which is the center of the whorl, typically has a circular pattern as the ridges flow outwards in a circular or spiral manner.

In contrast, other fingerprint patterns, such as loops, might only have one delta, whereas arches do not possess any deltas at all. The presence of two deltas in whorls is what distinguishes them and allows forensic specialists to categorize fingerprints accurately based on their unique ridge patterns. Recognizing this characteristic is vital for identification purposes in forensic science.