How does deposition pressure generally affect the shape of friction ridges?

Deposition pressure is an important factor in the formation and appearance of friction ridges, which are the patterns found on the tips of fingers. When there is increased deposition pressure, it tends to flatten or broaden the friction ridges. This occurs because the increased pressure causes the papillary ridges to spread out more across the surface of the skin. As the pressure increases, the natural contour of the ridges is altered, resulting in a wider and less pronounced shape.

This characteristic can be crucial for forensic analysis and the interpretation of fingerprint patterns, as it may affect how a print appears when lifted or captured. Understanding the relationship between deposition pressure and the shape of ridges can help forensic experts assess the quality of latent prints and estimate the conditions under which they were made.