How did I get my own unique set of fingerprints?

By: Sarah Leupen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 21, 2025

Words: 889

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 6 days ago

By Sarah Leupen, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you’d like an expert to answer, send it to CuriousKidsUS@theconversation.com.

How do we get the fingerprints we have? – Oscar V., age 8, Somerville, Massachusetts

Fingerprints are those little ridges on the tips of your fingers. They’re essentially folds of the outer layer of skin, the epidermis. The …

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