Fingerprints are formed during fetal development, starting around the third month of pregnancy. They are formed when the outer layer of skin on the fingertips, which is initially smooth, begins to develop tiny ridges. These ridges then spread out and collide with each other, creating the unique patterns of whorls, loops, and arches that make up our fingerprints.
This process is similar to how a zebra gets its stripes or a cheetah gets its spots, with waves of tiny ridges spreading and colliding. The specific patterns are influenced by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. The pressure from the amniotic fluid and the fetus's movements within the womb all contribute to the final fingerprint pattern.
By the sixth month of pregnancy, fingerprints are fully formed and remain the same throughout a person's life. No two people have the same fingerprints, making them a unique identifier for each individual.
