NCJ Number
225529
Journal
Journal of Forensic Identification Volume: 58 Issue: 6 Dated: November/December 2008 Pages: 682-695
Date Published
November 2008
Length
14 pages
Annotation
This literature review provides a comprehensive and concise explanation of the morphogenetic pathways of skin ridges on fingers as empirically determined to date, so as to provide an updated scientific basis for the uniqueness of these ridges for each individual.
Abstract
The scientific studies presented in this review produce multiple observational findings at the cytological level that provide a better understanding of the scientific basis of the ontogeny of the friction ridge on fingers, thereby providing fingerprint examiners a detailed explanation of how the various embryologic tensions and stresses result in the uniqueness of such ridges. This review identifies the theoretical discrepancies that have been reported based on various observations of epidermal ridge development by Cummins and Hale, as well as modern researchers such as Babler and Ashbaugh, so as to provide a unified explanation of epidermal ridge development that occurs as localized proliferations into the superficial layer of the skin at the site of sweat gland anlagen. However, due to cellular growth and the proximity of these localized condensations, a continuous ridge system appears. These ridges follow the path of least resistance from the embryological stresses that act in that moment of proliferation. The specific elevation of the volar pad at the site of the cellular proliferation provides a unique stress vector situated along the y-axis. The combination of stresses define the irregularities in ridge contour, and the ridge develops as a continual system because adjacent areas of proliferation are mathematically more closely related in their net vector of stresses and tensions acting at the moment. The development of minutiae is the result of stress vectors being too significantly different due to time differences in the proliferation of one localized area compared to another in close proximity. 4 figures and 16 references