Who was the first to describe friction ridge skin in detail?

The correct choice is Dr. Nehemiah Grew, who was the first to provide a detailed description of friction ridge skin. Grew's observations in the late 17th century laid the groundwork for the scientific study of fingerprints. He noted the unique patterns and ridges found on the fingertips, and his work contributed significantly to the understanding of the skin structures that are crucial for personal identification through fingerprints. This early research opened the door to further studies in dermatoglyphics, the field dedicated to the examination of skin patterns and ridge formations, which would eventually lead to advancements in forensic science and latent print analysis.

Other figures, while significant in various fields, did not provide the same foundational descriptions of friction ridge skin nor contribute directly to the understanding of fingerprints as Dr. Grew did. This is what makes his contributions particularly noteworthy in the context of latent print identification and forensic analysis.