During a medicolegal consultation, counsel argues that a suspect could have altered his fingerprints surgically to evade matching. Which statement about the biology of friction ridges is CORRECT?

• A Friction ridges continue to change in pattern throughout life due to skin growth
• B Friction ridges form during fetal life and regenerate with the identical pattern after superficial injury ✓
• C Friction ridge patterns are fully developed only after puberty
• D Friction ridges are absent at birth and appear during the first year of life

Explanation

Friction ridges are laid down by about the sixth month of intrauterine life, governed by the dermal papillary architecture, and remain permanent and unaltered throughout life unless the injury destroys the papillae deeply. Superficial abrasions heal with exact regeneration of the original ridge pattern. The pattern is complete well before birth and never remodels thereafter, which defeats arguments based on growth or puberty. Only deep burns, scarring of the dermis, or deliberate destruction of papillae produce permanent distortion.

Reference: Modi's Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.