The first principal of fingerprinting is the assumption that no two fingerprints are the same.

Over the past 110 years, this has been a proven fact. Out of the 64 million people that have had their prints taken, none have been the same (Saferstein, R. 2011). The second principal is every person fingerprints remain unchanged during their life time; every human is provided with what is designed to prevent slippage. There are a number of lines that are considered ridges and grooves, this is because skin is composed of layers of cells, therefore defining fingerprints will be defined as a reproduction of friction skin ridges found on the palm side of the fingers and thumbs (Saferstein, R. 2011). There are three classes that are involved in fingerprinting; those general patterns are loops, whorls, and arches. The author tells us, there are 60% with loop, 35% whorls and 5% with arches (Saferstein, R. 2011). In 1901, Scotland Yard was coined the original Henry system, the primary classification originated from the Henry system. The difference in visible and plastic prints is, visible prints are made by individual fingers touching a surface after the ridges have been in contact with a colored material, a substance like blood, paint or grease, and plastics are defined by leaving impressions in such material as putty or soap. The condition of fingerprints are not good once they are collected, technology has been found a way to preserve them until it is time to use them. There are a number of ways fingerprints are collected: 1. by using a sheet with adhering powder pressed against cardboard backing that will provide a permanent record. 2. the other is digital images a process by which a picture is converted into a digital file (Saferstein, R. 2011). Yes, fingerprinting will be around for a long time, it is the forefront of a criminal investigation and how can this be replace if no two people prints are same.

Reference

Saferstein, Richard M.. Criminalistics: An Introduction to Forensic Science for Ashford University, 10th Edition. Pearson Learning Solutions.