1. Can fingerprint patterns be inherited?

2. Big Question
Can fingerprint patterns be inherited through family members.
I know that every person has there own fingerprint and that no one’s is the same but I wanted to see if family members could have like fingerprint patterns.

3. Hypothesis
I do think that fingerprint patterns can be inherited through family members.
It makes sense that fingerprint patterns could be inherited just like hair or eye color can.

4. Interesting facts
The 3 basic types of fingerprint patterns are arch, loop, and whorl.
Arch fingerprint patterns are found in about 5% of the fingerprints.
Loops occur in about 60%-70% of the fingerprints.
Whorls are seen in about 25%-35% of the fingerprints.

5. More Interesting Facts (Types of Fingerprints)
Plain Arch
Tented Arch
Ulnar Loop
Radial Loop
Double Loop
Whorl

6. Label each sheet of paper with a family member’s name.
Materials
4 sheets of paper
Ink pad
My family
Piece of paper and a pencil
Magnifying glass
Control
I used the same ink and paper for each person.
Variables
The people/family that I used.
Procedure
Label each sheet of paper with a family member’s name.
Split the sheet of paper into 10 equal sections.
Label each section of paper with the name of a finger and the hand it is on.
Have each member of my family press their finger onto a pad of ink.
Each person will then press that same finger onto the piece of paper in the correct section.
Repeat with the rest of the family and observe.

7. Data JD Nash (Dad) IndL: Whorl ThmbL: Radial Loop MdlL: Arch
RingL: Whorl
PnkL: Arch
IndR: Arch
ThmbR: Ulnar Loop
MdlR: Arch
RingR: Whorl
PnkR: Radial Loop
Lois Nash (Mom)
IndL: Whorl
ThmbL: Radial Loop
MdlL: Whorl
RingL: Whorl
PnkL: Radial Loop
IndR: Ulnar Loop
ThmbR: Ulnar Loop
MdlR: Arch
RingR: Arch
PnkR: Ulnar Loop

8. Data continued Madison IndL: Double Whorl ThmbL: Radial Loop
MdlL: Whorl
RngL: Whorl
PnkL: Radial Loop
IndR: Whorl
ThmbR: Radial Loop
MdlR: Ulnar Loop
RingR: Ulnar Loop
PinkR: Ulnar Loop
Hunter
IndL: Whorl
ThmbL: Arch
MdlL: Arch
RingL: Whorl
PnkL: Arch
IndR: Whorl
ThmbR: Ulnar Loop
MdlR: Arch
RingR: Whorl
PinkR: Ulnar Loop

9. Analysis of Data
80% of Hunter’s fingerprint patterns were either the same as my mom’s or my dad’s.
70% of Madison’s (my) fingerprint patterns were the same as my dad’s or my mom’s.
My data shows that fingerprint pattern’s can be inherited.

10. Conclusion
My hypothesis was correct because based on my data, fingerprint patterns can be inherited.
If I was to do this same experiment again I would use multiple families and more people from each family. I would get fingerprints from grandparents, aunts, and uncles.
After performing my experiment I thought of more questions.
Are fingerprint patterns more often found on certain fingers?
Do identical twins have identical fingerprint patterns?

11. References