Have you ever sneaked a cookie from the jar without getting caught? If you didn’t wear gloves, you probably left behind evidence of your snack. A fingerprint expert could find fingerprints on the cookie jar and match them to the prints on your fingers.

Fortunately, most parents are not fingerprint experts or crime scene investigators. However, the cookie crumbs on your chin might give you away!

Take a close look at your palms and fingertips. Do you see the tiny ridges and lines? If you pressed your finger onto an inkpad and then onto a piece of paper, it would leave a print of the lines and ridges on your finger — a fingerprint!

Your fingerprints are unique. This means that no one else in the world has the exact same ridges and lines that you have on your fingers. Even identical twins have different fingerprints.

Your fingerprints also remain the same from birth until death. Their uniqueness and permanence make fingerprints one of the most reliable ways to identify a person.

Did you know that you don’t need to dip your fingers in ink to leave fingerprints? Sweat and body oils constantly come out through tiny pores in our skin. These substances cover the ridges and lines of your fingers.

When you touch something, you transfer these substances to it, leaving an impression of the ridges and lines on your fingers. These fingerprints — called latent fingerprints — are usually invisible to the naked eye. However, you can sometimes see them on certain objects, like a glass bottle.

Scientists have known about these invisible fingerprints since the 19th century. As early as 1892, English scientist Sir Francis Galton wrote a book about using fingerprints to solve crimes. However, it was not until 1896 that Sir Edward Richard Henry developed a way to classify fingerprints based on their general ridge patterns: loops, whorls, and arches.

Henry’s system of fingerprint identification — called dactyloscopy — has been slightly modified over time. Today, it is still used by law enforcement agencies worldwide.

In the past 100 years, technological advancements have helped law enforcement officers make better use of fingerprints. Nowadays, fingerprints can be “lifted” — identified and copied for future comparison — from almost any surface using special fingerprint powder.

Furthermore, scientists can now identify even half a fingerprint with the help of advanced computers and software. Computers can even automatically make comparisons, although scientists still carefully study and compare the fingerprints to ensure a proper match is found.

Fingerprints are not the only biometric characteristic used by scientists to identify people. There are other types of biological and behavioral characteristics, such as DNA, iris patterns, voice patterns, and facial patterns.

Give It a Try

Do you want to explore fingerprints further? Make sure to try the following activities with a friend or family member:

Discover the World of Fingerprints!

Have you ever wondered how your fingerprints look? You can find out by following a simple activity using just a pencil, paper, and clear tape. Visit the Fingerprints activity online to learn more. Not only that, you can also identify whether your fingerprint is a whorl, a loop, or an arch and compare it with others!

If you want to transform your fingerprints into a special artwork that your parents will cherish, try out these exciting activities:

• Fingerprint Penguin
• Fingerprint Turkey
• Fingerprint Whale
• Thumbprint Art

Are you interested in becoming a crime scene technician in the future? Then you must become skilled in finding, preserving, and analyzing fingerprints. Start practicing today with the Dusting for Fingerprints Science Experiment. Don’t forget to ask an adult for assistance and gather the necessary supplies!

Discover More about Fingerprints

• Visit http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/fingerprints_biometrics
• Explore http://www.childidprogram.com/the-id-kit/facts-about-fingerprints
• Learn from https://www.britannica.com/topic/dactyloscopy

FAQ

1. What is the purpose of fingerprints?

Fingerprints serve several purposes. The main purpose is to enhance our sense of touch and grip. The ridges and valleys on our fingers provide friction, allowing us to hold objects securely and manipulate them with precision. Additionally, fingerprints are unique to each individual, which makes them valuable for identification purposes.

2. How are fingerprints formed?

Fingerprints are formed during fetal development. The ridges and patterns on our fingers begin to form around the 10th week of pregnancy and are fully formed by the 24th week. The exact factors that determine the specific pattern of each fingerprint are still not fully understood, but it is believed to be influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

3. Why are fingerprints unique?

Fingerprints are unique because they are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors. The ridges and patterns on our fingers are determined by a complex interplay of genes and the pressure exerted on the fingers during fetal development. As a result, even identical twins have different fingerprints. The chances of two individuals having the same fingerprint are extremely low, making them a reliable form of identification.

4. Can fingerprints change over time?

While fingerprints are generally considered to be permanent, they can undergo minor changes over time. Factors such as aging, scarring, or certain skin conditions can alter the appearance of fingerprints. However, these changes are usually minimal and do not significantly affect the overall pattern. This is why fingerprints are still reliable for identification purposes even after many years.

5. How are fingerprints used in forensic science?

Fingerprints are an essential tool in forensic science. They can be used to link a suspect to a crime scene or to eliminate innocent individuals from suspicion. Forensic experts analyze fingerprints by comparing the patterns, ridges, and minutiae points (unique characteristics) to determine if there is a match. This helps in identifying the perpetrator and providing evidence in criminal investigations.