Permanence and Uniqueness are two principles used in understanding the embryology and physiological development of friction ridge skin. The uniqueness and permanence of friction ridge skin have been applied as one of the fundamental factor used in fingerprint identification in forensic science. Fingerprint identification, analysis and comparison play a significant role in forensic science for solving criminal cases. It is imperative to note that friction ridge skin possesses unique attributes that persevere from before birth until decay after death (Edelmann & Denton, 2007). These two principles of unique attributes and their persistence from before birth until decomposition after death are what are referred to as permanence and uniqueness.
Uniqueness, in the context of embryonic and physiological development, refers to the existence of exclusive attributes in friction ridge skin. Each and every friction ridge skin of different people possesses exclusive features which can be used for identification. These unique attributes of friction ridge skin may leave an imprint of consistent, unique details upon contact with a surface. The uniqueness of these attributes allows scientist to analyse, compare and evaluate for the presence or lack thereof correspondence. It is imperative to note that there are no two sections of any living organism that are precisely similar. The extrinsic and intrinsic factors that affect the development of any distinct organ are difficult to duplicate. Additionally, the individuality of the friction ridge skin can be traced back to late embryological stages and early fetal development stages.
According to Edelmann & Denton (2007), permanence refers to the persistence of the unique attributes of the friction ridge skin from late embryonic stages to early fetal developments. It is imperative to point out that the unique attributes of the friction ridge skin remain permanent from early development until after death and decomposition.
References
Edelmann, J. B., & Denton, M. J. (2007). The uniqueness of biological self-organization:
Challenging the Darwinian paradigm. Biology & Philosophy,22(4), 579-601.
