4. Background Research
• Half of the chromosomes that we
inherit come from our mothers
(maternal chromosomes).
• Half of the chromosomes that we
inherit come from our fathers
(paternal chromosomes).
• Chromosomal patterns determine
our characteristics.
• Many characteristics are inherited
– Eye color, hair color, skin color, body
5. • Ridges form on the epidermis
during weeks 10-24 of gestation.
These will become
fingerprints.
• Fingerprint characteristics are
unique to each individual.
• Identical twins do not have
identical fingerprints, but have
common sizes and patterns.
6. • Fingerprints began to be used to
identify people in the United
States in 1902.
• Fingerprints are still the
primary method used to
identify individuals for crimes,
security, and basic
identification.
• Fingerprints do not change as a
person ages. The size of the
fingerprint can change.
7. • There are three basic patterns
found in fingerprints:
–Loops
–Arches
–Whorls
• Fingerprints may have common
patterns, but it is the other ridges
and spaces on the finger that make
the prints unique to each person.
8. Articles and Publications
January 24, 2005 Scientific American:
Article by Glenn Langenburg discussed:
– Dermatoglyphic (fingerprint) studies
have found a strong correlation (link)
between the inheritance of fingerprint
patterns and the overall size, shape
and spacing of the ridges.
– Primary ridge patterns are inherited,
but the individual identifying features
are not inherited.
11. Research Steps:
• Began research notebook:
– Wrote background information about
fingerprints in research notebook.
– Taped pictures of FBI pictures and information in
research notebook.
• Obtained permission from subjects.
• Printed off fingerprint cards (one for each subject)
• Obtained fingerprints of test subjects using
fingerprinting techniques from the FBI website.
• Analyzed fingerprint patterns.
• Identified common patterns.
• Examined results for inherited traits.
• Documented findings.
• Made conclusion.
12.
13. Obtaining Permission
Due to the fact that fingerprint
patterns are unique to each
individual, I obtained permission
from each individual who
participated in this science fair
project. I also had to ensure that
the names, ages, and locations of the
test subjects would be protected.
14. Obtaining Fingerprints
1. Examined fingertips for cracks or
scars.
2. Had subject wash hands.
3. Taped fingerprint identification sheet
to counter top.
4. Pressed subject’s fingers in ink.
5. Stamped fingerprint on sheet in
correct boxes for different fingers.
6. Had subjects wash hands.
20. • I identified the fingerprint
patterns for each finger for
each person.
• I used the FBI identification
chart to help me identify the
fingerprint patterns.
• When I was finished identifying, I
compared the results for
similar and different
characteristics.
25. Similarities Between Parents
and Immediate Siblings:
• Right thumb: my mother and two
siblings had a whorl pattern.
• Right thumb: my father and two
siblings had a loop pattern.
• Right index: my father and all
siblings had an arch pattern.
• Right middle: my mother and three
siblings had an arch pattern.
26. • Right middle: my father and two
siblings had a loop pattern.
• Right ring: my mother and three
other siblings had an arch pattern.
• Right ring: my father and one
sibling had a loop pattern.
• Right little: my father and one
sibling had a loop pattern.
• Right little: both parents and all
five siblings had an ulnar loop.
27. • Left thumb: my mother and four
siblings had loop patterns.
• Left index: my mother and two
siblings had tented arch patterns.
• Left index: my father and two
siblings had tented arch patterns.
• Left middle: my mother and three
siblings had a tented arch pattern.
• Left middle: my father and two
siblings had a radial loop pattern.
28. • Left ring: my mother and one
sibling had an arch pattern.
• Left ring: my father and four
siblings had a radial loop pattern.
• Left little: both parents and all
of the siblings had a radial loop
pattern.
29. Similarities in
parental siblings:
• Right thumb: father and one of his
siblings had loop patterns.
• Right index: father and four of his
siblings had arch patterns.
• Right middle: father and two of his
siblings had loop patterns.
• Right ring: father and all four of his
siblings had loop patterns.
• Right little: father and all four of his
siblings had loop patterns.
30. • Left thumb: father and three of his
siblings had arch patterns.
• Left index: father and all four of
his siblings had arch patterns.
• Left middle: father and one of his
siblings had loop patterns.
• Left ring: father and one of his
siblings had loop patterns.
• Left little: father and all four of
his siblings had loop patterns.
31. Interpretation of Data:
= significant correlation
Immediate Family R Thumb R Index R Middle R Ring R Little L Thumb L Index L Middle L Ring L Little
Inherited Paternal Traits 2 loop 5 arch 2 loop 5* loop 0 2 arch** 2 loop 4 loop 5***
Inherited Maternal Traits 3 whorl 3 arch 4 loop 5* loop 4 loop 2 arch** 3 arch 1 arch 5***
Independent Trait 1 arch 1 whorl 3 loop
Paternal Siblings 2 u loop 5 arch 3 u loop 5 loop 5 loop 4 arch 5 arch 2 r loop 2 r loop 5 loop
3 arch 2 arch 1 r loop 3 t arch 3 t arch
* Paternal & Maternal patterns included loop, however, 4 of the 5 subjects demonstrated ulnar loop similar to maternal.
**Paternal & Maternal patterns included tented arch. 2 test subjects demonstrated tented arch, while 3 demonstrated radial loop.
*** Paternal & Maternal trait had radial loop pattern on L Little finger.
32. Conclusions:
Based on the results of the
study, fingerprint patterns
are genetically related.
Families demonstrate many
similar fingerprint patterns.
33. Bibliography:
• This article gave information bout fingerprints being similar to
parents. Langenburg, G. Scientific American January 24, 2005. Retrieved
January 30, 2012 from
http://www.scientificamerican.com/articl.cfm?id=are-ones-
fingerprints-sim
• The FBI website describes how to take fingerprints.
FBI. (n.d.). Taking Legible Fingerprints. Federal Bureau of Investigations,
Criminal Justice Information Services. Retrieved January 26, 2012 from
http://www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/takingfps.html
• This Australian police website describes fingerprints, how they're
formed, and their uses in forensics.
Lennard, C. and Patterson, T. (2003). Dactyloscopy: The Science of
Fingerprinting. New South Wales Police Service. Retrieved January 26,
2012 from
http://www.policensw.com/info/fingerprints/indexfinger.html
• This Wikipedia entry gives an overview of fingerprints and their history.
Wikipedia contributors. (2006). Fingerprints. Wikipedia, The Free
Encyclopedia. Retrieved January 26, 2012 from
http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fingerprint&oldid=190845125
34. “Thank You’s”
• My parents, brother, sisters, and
aunts for providing me with
fingerprints to study.
• My parents for helping me with this
power point presentation.
