How do the police catch a burglar unless the person is caught in the act? Well, if the unlucky intruder wasn’t practicing “safe stealing”, ie. not wearing gloves, it’s likely that the police will rely on fingerprints left at the scene of the crime to match to criminals with prior history of breaking the law.
Fingerprints, something that develops in utero at about eight weeks, are entirely unique to each of us. By the time a baby is full term, and well into her adult life, the tissue on the pads of the digits develops a complicated, one-of-a-kind pattern made up of whorls, loops and arches.
Have you ever wondered what years of practicing reflexology or massage might do to your fingerprints? I recently got to find out first-hand (pun not intended – ah, maybe it was!).
As part of the national move to eliminate human trafficking from the United States, the state of Florida required that all licensed massage therapists be electronically finger-printed by the end of this month. (In Florida, one must hold a massage license to practice reflexology.)
The poor woman trying to capture my prints had quite the time. It took numerous attempts before she was successful. After the third stab at it, she asked, “What do you do for a living?” When I told her that I have practiced reflexology since 1983, she replied, “Ah, that explains it. You’ve worn your fingerprints down to a point where they are nearly unattainable.”
Have any other bodyworkers experienced anything similar when getting fingerprinted? Do tell. Maybe we can all team up to form a nationwide gang of thieves!
OMG! Priscilla G. downstairs from me had the same problem!
I had the same story. Delay in receiving my massage license due to fingerprints being ineligible. The clerk asked me to retake and not use oil/cream/lotion for 3 days before retaking. Only after that it was accepted by FBI. Same goes for people who pick pineapples. Impossible to read. For them the information is obtained by looking at their ears.
Sofia – when I first immigrated to the US from Canada and when was fingerprinted and photographed, they were most concerned with getting a picture of my ear. The technician told me that it is an almost impossible part of the body to alter without it being noticed. Maybe they should take pictures of our ears? LOL
I had a very similar experience with my fingerprinting experience. After three tries and then finding out I had been doing massage for over 30 years, I was told they might make me retake them, and if they were unable to get a good scan at that point, the BOMT would just use my photo (which is what I think was really wanted ) for the facial recognition software the FBI and NSI and the rest of the alphabet soup gang are building, and my SS# to certify me.
Hah! This made the 3rd time I have paid to be fingerprinted for different reasons.
Anyway, I could be an official member of thugs with no fingerprints!
I had exactly the same thing happen. Apparently my DoB is similar to a known sex offender so I had to have my prints taken when applying for a Vulnerable Sector Check. After a lot of work, they were finally able to get one fingerprint and prove that I do not match the bad guy. I am sure it will not get better.
This fingerprinting activity is sounding more and more like the makings of a good comedy, Marion. I sure hope all our efforts accomplish the goal.
I did massage and reflexology for several years. My finger prints have almost entirely disappeared. I’ve been trying to find out what has caused it. I suspected my work but didn’t find anyone else with the same situation. Thanks for publishing.