The Secrets of Fingerprints
12 Amazing Facts You Didn’t Know About Your Unique Identity
Fingerprints are the unique patterns of ridges and valleys on the tips of our fingers. They are one of the most distinctive and recognizable features of our identity, and they are often used for identification, authentication, and forensics. But how much do you really know about fingerprints? Here are 12 surprising facts about fingerprints, including why we even have them.
1. Fingerprints are formed before birth.
Fingerprints are not randomly generated, but rather determined by our genes and our environment. Fingerprints begin to form in the womb, around the 10th week of pregnancy, when the skin on the fingers starts to grow and differentiate. The shape and size of the fingerprints are influenced by the pressure, temperature, and movement of the amniotic fluid, as well as the position and growth of the fetus. Fingerprints are fully formed by the 24th week of pregnancy, and they remain unchanged throughout our lives, unless they are damaged by injury or disease.
2. Fingerprints are not unique to humans.
Humans are not the only animals that have fingerprints. Many primates, such as chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans, also have fingerprints…
