I receive about 5 e-mails per week from students on these topics and the most frequently asked questions about fingerprints are listed here, but if you have any others that we can assist you with, feel free to e-mail them: Q1. Will you complete my project for me? A1. No, and I won't even do it for my kids. Next question... Q2. Do twins have the same fingerprints? A2. No, the fingerprints of twins, triplets, etc. are not identical. No two people have been found to have the same fingerprints. Q3.Do family members have the same fingerprint pattern types? A3. It is possible for them to have the same pattern types, but they will not be identical. Q4. What are the basic pattern types and their frequency of occurrance? A4. Arches 5%, loops 60% and whorls 35%. These are further broken down into tented and plain arches, radial and ulnar loops, and plain whorls, central pocket loop whorls, double loop whorls and accidental whorls. Q5. How long have fingerprints been used for identification in the USA? A5. Since the early 1900's. Q6. What is the reason fingerprints can be used for positive identification? A6. Fingerprints are permanent and unique. They last forever and remain in the same formations unless you get cut, burnt, or cut your finger off. They are unique to one person alone, no two people have the same prints, not even twins and a person does not have two identical prints on any of their ten fingers.