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Identifying Family through Fingerprints

CSEF · 2012 Mammalian Biology

Noah J. LaBella · St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Encino, Los Angeles County

Overview

Objectives/Goals I will attempt to show that fingerprint patterns show similarities in family members. Methods/Materials The materials I used in my scientific experiment are fourteen human subjects, an official forensics police kit and a fingerprint classification chart. My experiment procedures were to fingerprint each subject, analyze and compare the fingerprints, document findings, then draw conclusions. Each subject was compared first to the control subject who is not blood related to any other subject and then to all blood related subjects. Results There are no similarities in fingerprint patterns among blood related subjects any more so than in non-blood related subjects. Identical twins' fingerprints have more similarities than two random people's fingerprints but their fingerprints are not identical. Conclusions/Discussion Under close examination, there is conclusive evidence that all fingerprints are unique to each individual. Therefore, fingerprints are the most reliable identification available for human beings and there is no evidence to suggest that identifying family through fingerprint patterns is possible.

Summary statement

My project compares the fingerprints of family members to see if they have general familial similarities.

Help received

Was instructed in the use of fingerprint comparison equipment by Officer John Abel and Deputy Chief John Toomey of the Utica Police Department; Mother took photographs and helped cut out charts for display

Competition history

  • CSEF 2012 Mammalian Biology · Entry J1215

Resources

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Source: California Science & Engineering Fair public projects

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