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Are toe prints unique like fingerprints?

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Yes, like fingerprints, each toe print is unique and is not genetically determined. They are ridges and folds of skin, which help with improved sensation and to a degree, better grip. These ridges are caused by underlying interface between the dermal papillae of the dermis and the interpapillary pegs of the epidermis. These friction ridges serve to amplify vibrations triggered and importantly they reduce friction by cutting down on the surface-to-surface contact between fingers and object. The ridge patterns develop while foetus is in the mother's womb. The pressure on the fingertips, movement within the womb and thickness of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby, all affect the patterns that form. Therefore, environmental factors influence their formation, since even identical twins have distinct sets of prints. Their role in criminal investigation or biometrics is still controversial.
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