sõrmejälge

Sõrmejälge, meaning fingerprint in Estonian, refers to the impression left by the friction ridges on a person's fingertip. These patterns are unique to each individual and remain unchanged throughout a person's life. They are formed by the development of epidermal ridges in the womb and are characterized by loops, whorls, and arches. The science of fingerprint analysis, known as dactyloscopy, is widely used in forensics for identification purposes. Fingerprints are collected by dusting latent prints with powder or using chemical processes to make them visible. These prints can then be compared to known databases or other crime scene prints. Beyond forensic applications, fingerprints are also employed for access control and personal identification in various civilian contexts. The uniqueness of sõrmejälge makes it a reliable biometric identifier.