Fingerprints are nature's most remarkable form of identification. No two people share similar patterns - even identical twins have distinct fingerprint characteristics. The FBI's Next Generation Identification system highlights the importance of fingerprints today. The system processes over 193,000 fingerprint searches daily against over 158 million records. Fingerprints are distinctive patterns that fall into three basic types: loops, whorls, and arches. A person's fingerprints develop during the third month of pregnancy and remain unchanged throughout their lifetime unless affected by serious injury.
