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Fingerprint. View of a human fingerprint. It shows the details of skin ridges in the outer cornified (keratinised) part of the epidermis (skin). These minute ridges form a distinct pattern, with each fingerprint pattern unique to an individual. Even identical twins have different fingerprints. The patterns are classified into four main types: loops, whorls, arches, and combinations of these three. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/CORDELIA MOLLOY)