Question for scientific types here........re:fingerprints

[npmommie]

So I was reading the allnurses forums, and there was a discussion about being fingerprinted in some states for a nursing license
someone piped in that nurses have the worst fingerprints because we wash our hands so much and the prints are hard to view
what do you think? can our fingerprints become less distinctive over time and frequent handwashing. I googled, but didn't really find much.

 

[cm8]

I think the prints would be readable, but worn down over the period. I know what you mean about the "washing" things. My hands stay dry, and wrinkly from all that hand washing, and that "cheap" soap

 

[AKL_Megs]

My DH's step-grandfather was a brick layer all his life. He told us a story one time about a time he needed to have fingerprints taken...

When they went to take them, they just couldn't get any from his fingers, and his palm print wasn't any better.

They had to take prints from his FEET!

Anyways, I think it's possible... but unlikely.

 

[npmommie]

My DH's step-grandfather was a brick layer all his life. He told us a story one time about a time he needed to have fingerprints taken...

When they went to take them, they just couldn't get any from his fingers, and his palm print wasn't any better.

They had to take prints from his FEET!

Anyways, I think it's possible... but unlikely.

see now that makes more sense, the bricks wearing them down, sounds reasonable.

I think the prints would be readable, but worn down over the period. I know what you mean about the "washing" things. My hands stay dry, and wrinkly from all that hand washing, and that "cheap" soap

haha, maybe it is the cheap soap wearing them away!!
I have tubes of handcream attached to my hip.......LOL

 

[simba20]

Even trying to erase your fingerprints with acid will yeild fingerprints. Sometimes they aren't too clear, but an expert is still able to recognize patterns of loops and swirls.

My grandmother was one of the few women who worked in the fingerprinting department (one department women were placed in) of the FBI under Hoover. My granfather also worked for the FBI, but them found an opportunity to work with the ICC. When my grandfather passed away he passed on to me a fingerprinting manual from the 1930's from the FBI. Pretty cool thing to have. Maybe I should read it in depth and then apply to my local PD.

 

[NotUrsula]

No expert, but I'll tell you a funny fingerprint story.

One rainy day on a trip to Tampa, we took the kids to MOSI, the science center there. One of the exhibits was a group of mounted microscopes, with a whole bunch of slides so you could look at things.

I was helping DS put a slide in (he was looking through the viewer) when he said, "Mom, your fingers are all slashed!" So being curious, I looked, too, and darned if he wasn't right -- my fingertips are heavily crisscrossed with tiny scars. We were speculating out loud what might have caused it when an older man standing nearby said, "Shrimp." Huh? So he looks at me again and says, "Have you spent a lot of time handling shrimp?" Shrimper's child that I was, the answer was yes. "Well, there's your answer. Shrimpers' fingerprints always show a bunch of scars. I was a cop in Pensacola, we saw it all the time."

So while I do have clear fingerprints, they don't look very normal; they have lots of crisscrossing lines.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

So I was reading the allnurses forums, and there was a discussion about being fingerprinted in some states for a nursing license
someone piped in that nurses have the worst fingerprints because we wash our hands so much and the prints are hard to view
what do you think? can our fingerprints become less distinctive over time and frequent handwashing. I googled, but didn't really find much.

They were consusing latent prints given off by people touching something, and fingerprints taken by applying ink (old method) to the prints then pressing them on a tenprint card.

almost all modern law enforcement takes prints by using a automated fingerprint system. it has a "scanner" plate very similar to the scanner at a grocery store, but allows someone to "roll" the print and then capture it digitally.

even the faint ridges that have been worn down by manual labor will show up and can be "captured"

 

[anniemae]

If your hands are very dry (like from hand washing) it can be hard to get good fingerprints. I have been printed for foster parenting and they had a hard time capturing my prints electronically because my hands were sooooo dry (winter time). The tech told me next time I should use hand lotion a week or so beforehand so my hands would be moist.

 

[WL Fan]

Not buying it. I have to use my fingerprint to get into the medication dispensing machine, it shows up clear as a bell every time - maybe 30 or so times a night. And that's with tons of hand washing.

 

[mominwestlake]

I am currently having trouble getting my fingerprints. I am trying to renew my teaching license and you must be fingerprinted and pass an FBI background check. My prints will not work! The first time was with an electronic scanner at the board of ed. I then used lotion for awhile. The next 2 times were at the local police station with ink. My fingerprints were rejected all 3 times and it is holding up my license renewal. I am not a bricklayer or a nurse. I do clean my own home and wash my hands often. I have never tried to remove them with acid.

 

[GRUMPY PIRATE]

each persons lines and ridges will wear and regenerate at a different rate.

 

[Silent1CB]

I used to work as a bank teller. Counting money.

I had to be fingerprinted for a firearms permit at the police department. My prints were rejected by the state because they are pretty worn down according to them.

They asked me if I worked with lots of paper.