Abstract
Have you ever noticed that each of your fingertips has a complex pattern of lines? These lines are unique to each person. When you touch different surfaces, you leave impressions of those lines behind. Artists from a long time ago also left such impressions. Previous scientists used photographs of fingerprints to learn more about the artists. They figured out if the artists were male or female. They also figured out the age of the artist. Unfortunately, photos are sometimes of poor quality.
We wanted to develop a new method of fingermark analysis using a 3D-micro CT scan. This technology produced detailed 3D images of the fingerprints left on a sculpture. Then we analyzed these fingerprints for more information about the artist. Our analysis identified the artist as an adult male. This technology will help better analyze the works of artists in the future.