Observations of ridge appearances in a normal population and in Down syndrome patients (21-trisomy) using the scanning electron microscope.

A celluloid plate containing a drop of amyl acetate was pressed to the skin. The impression thus obtained was coated with carbon and gold and observed under the scanning electron microscope. Impressions from the fingers of the normal population showed the crests and furrows of the finger prints clearly. The impressions from the fingers of Down syndrome patients were a mixture of the normal crests and furrows and of hypoplastic crests and furrows.