# Fingerprints... **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 1, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438 "2003-05-01T18:30:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a3d4f5/32.png) [@McDeath\_the\_Mad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/McDeath_the_Mad)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/1 "2003-05-01T18:30:37Z")
A few questions regarding fingerprints: Is there any scientific reason humans have fingerprints? Do other bi-ped mammals have them (apes, monkeys)? When were fingerprints first thought to be used in solving crimes? Thanks… MtM ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/2 "2003-05-01T18:44:55Z")
[The Science.](http://155.217.58.58/cgi-bin/atdl.dll/fm/19-20/ch7.htm) [Primate Fingerprints.](http://www.wonderquest.com/Fingerprints.htm) [The History.](http://onin.com/fp/fphistory.html) ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/3 "2003-05-01T18:49:46Z")
Fingerprints may actually be on their way out as a crime-solving tool. It’s very hard to get a complete, non-smeared one, there’s way more room for error than DNA, and fingerprints can’t be dated. Just some trivia. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/4 "2003-05-01T18:52:57Z")
And of course, [More Science!](http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/scienceshack/articles/questions/q_ou29.shtml) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ccd318/32.png) [@John\_Kentzel-Griffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Kentzel-Griffin)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/5 "2003-05-01T19:43:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by \*\*\*McDeath\_the\_Mad \*\* > > Is there any scientific reason humans have fingerprints? My guess is that the ridges help the fingers grip things. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/6 "2003-05-01T20:11:58Z")
Interestingly, koalas also seem to have “fingerprints.” ---
**Author:** ![J\_String](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ce73a5/32.png) [@J\_String](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/J_String)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2003, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/7 "2003-05-01T23:18:29Z")
slight hijack… The prints on my right hand are mirror images of the ones on my left–except for the index finger. Anyone else notice anything like this? ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2003, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fingerprints/172438/8 "2003-05-02T00:12:21Z")
Mine too J String. And yes, I had noticed. Had even thought about posting a question regarding that in the last 4 or 5 days.