Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
97788 Forensic Science International 2007 12 Pages PDF
Abstract

There is currently no general agreement on the process by which fingerprint (epidermal ridge) patterns form. Nevertheless, many possible mechanisms have been proposed. Based on an extensive literature review and mathematical modeling we argue that the pattern arises as the result of a buckling (folding) process in a cell layer of the epidermis. Using this model we were able to explain the long-known observation that the pattern type is related to the geometry of the embryonal fingertip.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemistry Analytical Chemistry
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