Dermatoglyphics is the study of the ridge patterns of fingers and hands.. Instead of studying palms or hands to know about the future,, dermatoglyphics takes a scientific approach,, looking for features which are associated with certain disorders.. The formation of ridges begins very early,, in fatal development.. As a result,, people with congenital abnormalities,, especially severe ones,, often develop unusual or abnormal dermatoglyphics.. Doctors sometimes use dermatoglyphics as a diagnostic tool to identify congenital abnormalities,, and the errors in fatal development which contribute to abnormal dermatoglyphics..

Specific variations in fingerprints have been linked with a number of chromosomal abnormalities.. Usually,, other diagnostic clues exist to indicate that someone has a severe genetic abnormality,, but studying the hands and feet can still be of interest.. Some people also claim that dermatoglyphics can be used in the diagnosis of disease,, ranging from mental disorders to certain cancers.. Studies seem to suggest that dermatoglyphics cannot be used for this purpose,, as there are distinct differences between study samples and the general population..

The study of dermatoglyphics is also important in fingerprint analysis,, a technique which is used to link fingerprints associated with a crime or event to a specific individual.. Fingerprints are highly unique,, and especially when a sample includes prints from several fingers,, it can be used to link someone with an event.. Fingerprints are also be used to identify deceased individuals who lack identification,, and because fingerprints linger so long,, scientists have even successfully taken fingerprints from ancient mummies by carefully rehydrating the skin..

Scientific approaches to studying the development of distinctive skin ridges on the hands and feet should not be mistaken with palmistry and various types of fortunetelling which also rely on the skin ridges.. Although skin ridges can sometimes predict someone's future,, as in the case of distinctive skin ridges which indicate that someone has a chromosomal disorder,, they will not predict character,, preferred learning style or occupation..