Book 2, Question 91
Why Do We Have Fingerprints?
Look closely at your fingertip, and you will see tiny swirly lines. Those ridges form before you are born, and they help you hold things. A grip pattern just for you!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 2
More fun facts
- A fingerprint's design depends on how skin ridges spread out from three starting spots on the fingertip and then join up.
- When you touch something, you can leave a stamp of your fingerprint on it.
- Forensic scientists have long collected fingerprints from crime scenes to help solve cases.
- You can model how fingerprints grow with you by inking a print onto a balloon and blowing it up.
- Kids can do an experiment comparing the fingerprints of brothers and sisters to see if patterns run in families.
Sources: Science News Explores, Science News Explores
Questions kids ask
Can fingerprints help solve crimes?
Yes. People leave fingerprint stamps on things they touch, and forensic scientists collect them.