What is the scientific study of fingerprints called?

The scientific study of fingerprints is called Dactylography. The term comes from the Greek words daktylos, meaning “finger,” and graphein, meaning “to write” or “to record.” Dactylography is an important branch of forensic science and biology that focuses on analyzing, classifying, and comparing fingerprints to identify individuals.

Fingerprints are the unique patterns formed by ridges and grooves on the skin of human fingers. These patterns begin to develop before birth and remain unchanged throughout a person’s life, even after injuries or aging. This uniqueness makes fingerprints a reliable tool for personal identification and criminal investigations.

In dactylography, scientists study three main types of fingerprint patterns: loops, whorls, and arches. These patterns are categorized based on the shape and direction of the ridges. Fingerprint experts use magnifying lenses, digital scanners, and computer databases to record and match prints found at crime scenes with those stored in official records.

The practice of using fingerprints for identification began in ancient times but was scientifically developed in the 19th century. Sir Francis Galton, a British scientist, played a key role in establishing the scientific principles of fingerprint identification. Later, Sir Edward Henry introduced the Henry Classification System, which is still used in many countries for organizing fingerprint data.

Dactylography is not only used in forensic science but also in security systems, biometric authentication, and civil identification processes like passports and national ID cards. It helps ensure accurate verification of a person’s identity without relying on documents or personal testimony.

By studying fingerprints, scientists combine biological understanding of skin structure with technological methods of data analysis, making dactylography an essential part of both biology and modern forensic investigation