Are identical twins fingerprints the same; Identical twins are so similar in appearance that they are confused; But can their fingerprints help distinguish them from each other?
Your fingerprint is different from all humans on earth, and your genetic makeup partly determines the patterns on your fingertips. Now the question arises: If you had identical twins with the same genetic makeup, would your fingerprints still be unique?
Identical twins also called “monozygotic twins”, originate from an embryo that splits into two in the early stages of development. The result of this phenomenon is the creation of two people who inherit the same genetic information from their parents and look almost identical in appearance. Identical twins are essentially clones of each other; However, genetic mutations that occur in the uterus can cause their DNA to not be exactly the same.
Monozygotic twins do not have the same fingerprint despite having almost the same DNA. “Simona Francis, a forensic scientist and fingerprint expert at the University of Sheffield Hallam in the UK, said:
While identical twins have more in common than two random people, their fingerprints are different enough that they can be used to identify them.
Are identical twins fingerprints the same
No two people on earth have the same fingerprints. Francis said the probability of two people having the same fingerprint is 1 in 64 billion. To date, no two fingerprints have been found to be the same. Each fingerprint is different from the other fingerprints. Each finger has different patterns that produce different fingerprints.
If identical twins have almost identical DNA, why are their fingerprints different? This is because DNA is not the only factor that affects a person’s fingerprints; However, it plays an important role in determining fingerprints. Different environmental factors in the uterus also affect the growth of fingerprints. The fingerprint is formed between the thirteenth and nineteenth weeks of fetal development. The position of the fetus in the uterus and access to nutrients and even the length of the umbilical cord can affect the fingerprint.
Other factors may change the fingerprint after the twins are born. Skin conditions, wounds, burns, and in rare cases, medications can permanently or temporarily change fingerprints. So while identical twins may be able to fool their family and friends into who they are, there is always a sure way to tell them apart.
Are identical twins fingerprints the same
