dermatoglyphics

n. skin ridges, pattern of ridges on the skin of hands and feet

Dermatoglyphics (from ancient Greek derma = "skin", glyph = "carving") is the scientific study of fingerprints. The term was coined by Dr. Harold Cummins, the father of fingerprint analysis. All primates have ridged skin, and it can also be found on the paws of certain mammals and on the tails of some monkey species. In humans, dermatoglyphs are present on fingers, palms, toes, and soles, and give insight into a critical period of embryogenesis, between 4 weeks and 5 months, when the architecture of the major organ systems is developing.
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Dermatoglyphics /der·ma·to·glyph·ics/ the study of the patterns of ridges of the skin of the fingers, palms, toes, and soles; of interest in [more]Dermatoglyphics - Community and Resources

Noun
1. the study of the whorls and loops and arches in the fingertips and on the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet; "some criminologists specialize in dermatoglyphics"
(hypernym) life science, bioscience

The study of skin patterns, such as finger prints