Overview about Fingerprints!!

1. Dermatoglyphics is the study of ridge patterns in the skin.
2. Fingerprints are impressions of patterns formed by the papillary or epidermal ridges of the fingertips.
3. The ridge pattern of fingers appear between 12 to 16 weeks of intrauterine life & the formation is completed by 24 weeks.


CLASSIFICATION:
1. Loops( about 60-70%)
2. Whorls(about 25-35%)
3. Arches( about 6-7%)
4. Composite form ( about 1-2%)


5. Identification of any fingerprint is made by comparison of many details of characteristics which occurs throughout the ridge areas & by the sequence in which these characteristics occur.
6. The fingerprints pattern  are distinctive & permanent in individuals.


TECHNIQUES:
1.   A plain print is taken by applying ink to the tips of the finger & placing the fingers directly on paper.
2. The rowed fingerprint is obtained by rowing the fingers on paper from outward to inward in such a way as to obtain an impression of the whole tip.


TYPES:
1. Latent print is an invisible impression left on a stomach surface.
2. Visible prints-by fingers stained with blood  or ink
3. Plastic prints- is an impression made on a soft surface such as soap, cheese, etc....


MEDICO-LEGAL IMPORTANCE:
1.   The recognition of impression left at a scene of crime
2. Identification in case of accidental exchange of newborn infants.
3. The prevention of impersonation
4. To maintain identify records
5. Cheque, banknotes & other legal documents can bear a fingerprint.