Under what circumstances would ridge breaks occur?

Ridge breaks occur as a natural result of variations in ridge formations. This phenomenon can be influenced by numerous factors, including the physiological attributes of an individual’s skin and the environmental conditions to which the skin is exposed.

Ridge formations themselves can have inherent irregularities, including breaks or discontinuities, that are a normal aspect of fingerprint patterns. These natural variations can arise due to genetic factors, skin health, the aging process, or specific activities that impact the skin, such as friction or wear.

Recognizing this emphasizes that ridge breaks are not necessarily indicative of damage or external factors but are often part of the unique and complex structure of each person’s fingerprints. Understanding this helps in accurately analyzing latent prints, as it provides a context for interpreting the presence of breaks within ridge patterns.