Do identicals have the same fingerprints?

Mama-Bear

No idea why, but I've always been curious about this.  I would think so, but DH was saying that he thought fingerprints came later in pg.  Just curious.

cands

No, they don't.

Genes determine your general type of fingerprint, but the specific lines and whirls are determined in great degree by the interaction between the skin in your fingers and the amniotic fluid.  Since even identical twins have slightly different exposure to the movement of amniotic fluid around their skin, their fingerprints are different.

It would be nice if they did have the same fingerprints, it would save folks money on DNA tests to find out if their twins are identical.

 

FaeryStarGazer

Nope. cands is right!

itsallover

I had no idea that fingerprints were caused by the motion of the amniotic fluid!  Learn something new every day. 

sweater

So I heard this same info and always wondered if MONO twins would have the most similar fingerprints since they share the same amniotic fluid...but then again they don't even look exactly identical because blood flow is so different usually, so I assume fingerprints are no similar than regular mono/di babes.

MrsSweetpeaMagee

fingerprints also have to do with blood flow and since they don't have the same blood flow even though monos share the same amniotic fluid they would have different fingerprints.

sweater

Mrs.SweetpeaMagee:

fingerprints also have to do with blood flow and since they don't have the same blood flow even though monos share the same amniotic fluid they would have different fingerprints.

monos have QUITE different blood flow. There cords are sooo close together on the placenta that TTTS is usually present...and of course the tangled cords...?

EverAfterinMi

I wondered about this because they can/do have the same DNA....

Mama-Bear

Thanks for the replies, I never knew it was so complex (blood/amniotic fluid flow).  Like pp said, you really do learn something new everyday.