Type lines may be defined as which of the following?

Type lines are defined as the innermost ridges of a fingerprint pattern. These lines are crucial in classifying fingerprint patterns because they help to establish the foundational structure upon which the entire fingerprint is built. The innermost ridges serve as the starting point for determining the pattern type, such as whorls, loops, or arches.

In fingerprint analysis, understanding the configuration of the innermost ridges allows for accurate identification and comparison. By analyzing these specific ridges, fingerprint examiners can ascertain primary characteristics that guide further classification and comparison to known patterns.

The outermost ridges are not the defining features for determining type lines since they represent the boundary of the fingerprint pattern rather than its structural foundation. Additionally, vertical and horizontal ridges pertain more to the general orientation and features of the fingerprint rather than their classification, which is specifically centered around the innermost structures.