Who established that friction ridge skin was unique and persistent?

The assertion that friction ridge skin is unique and persistent can be traced back to the pioneering work of Sir Francis Galton. He conducted detailed studies on fingerprints and was instrumental in demonstrating that no two fingerprints are exactly the same, highlighting their uniqueness. Galton's extensive research laid the foundation for the scientific legitimacy of fingerprint analysis in forensic science. He also emphasized the permanence of friction ridge patterns, showing that they remain largely unchanged throughout a person's life. This combination of uniqueness and persistence is crucial in the field of latent print examination, as it underpins the reliability of fingerprints as an identification tool.

While Henry Faulds was significant for advocating the use of fingerprints in criminal identification and exploring their uniqueness, it was Galton who provided the scientific basis for their uniqueness and durability. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (better known as Mark Twain) is not associated with the study of fingerprints, and Alphonse Bertillon is known for developing the anthropometric system of identification.