Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

Hey,
i have a question for you concerning my science fair project, are fingerprint patterns inherited?
i have been research my topic and learned that there are three main types of fingerprints but within those three main groups there are other types such a the main group, loop and within that group their is one called ulnar loop which only has to do with the left thumb. i was wondering if i should test both the right and left thumb or just the right and just use the three main types or if i should include all of them and test the left thumb too. second i was wondering what size my sample group is i know someone has probablly already asked this but if i am thinking of testing ten families with 3 to 5 member in each one i was wondering if that would be enough.
sorry about how long this is but hanks for helping!

thanks again,
Hannah
p.s. this is not my ask an expert, its a friends

Have you looked at this Science Buddies project idea:

Are Fingerprint Patterns Inherited?
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p009.shtml

Looking over the Experimental Procedure in the project may help you think about how to conduct your project -- and how many samples you will need to fingerprint.

Amy
Science Buddies

Hello!

This sounds like a very interesting topic; I found an article that describes the inheritable properties of fingerprints: http://www.scientificamerican.com/artic ... prints-sim
If you are interested in a much more advanced analysis here is a link to a research paper (this may be a tough read, but it has a lot of good information): http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1685016/

Hope this helps, Good luck with your project!
Nithin T

Thank you for the links! I will be sure to use them. I have already viewed the Science Buddies link. It was helpful. Thank you again!