Here are 10 quick facts on fingerprints:

• There are three basic fingerprint patterns and seven subgroups.

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• A fingerprint is an impression of the friction ridges found on the inner surface of a finger or a thumb.
• Friction ridges are also found on the palms of the hands and on the soles and toes of your feet. Fingerprints are formed while a baby is still in the womb.
• You cannot get rid of your fingerprints – you also cannot change them, unless you do something drastic such as chopping off a finger.
• Francois Vidocq, a Frenchman, pioneered the use of physical evidence to solve crimes. The date was 1812.
• Every person’s fingerprint is unique. Not even identical twins have the same fingerprints. No two fingerprints have ever been found to be identical.
• Secretions from the eccrine glands can leave impressions on smooth surfaces, such as glass, plastic, and polished wood.
• A special type of powder is used to ‘lift’ fingerprints from such surfaces for purposes of identification.
• Before there were computers, huge manual filing systems were used to categorise fingerprints. It could take days to try and match up a fingerprint.
• Fingerprinting is the most commonly used forensic evidence worldwide. It is claimed to do better than DNA testing to identify murderers, rapists and other serious offenders.

(Sources: wikipedia.com; ridgesandfurrows.homestead.com)
 

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