RESUMEN
Fingerprints are created by elevations and depressions on the fingertip pads. Each person has their own unique fingerprints which can be used in the identification of that individual when alive, during the immediate postmortem period, or even after the digits have become mummified. Mummification can occur naturally; it can be partial (such as localized to only the hands and feet, extensive, or complete. Obtaining fingerprints after the skin has become mummified can be attempted while the digits remaining intact with the hand; however, the digits may need to be removed from the hand and the finger pads may also need to be separated from the underlying bone to secure an adequate fingerprint. Frequently, the mummified tissue needs to be rehydrated; numerous solutions have been used that increase the turgor of the digits, provide softening and pliability of the tissue, and enhance the details of the finger pad ridges. An aqueous solution of sodium carbonate (either combined with acetic acid or combined with 95 percent ethanol and distilled water) was found to be most effective for rehydration. Thereafter, various techniques can be attempted to obtain the fingerprint. These include the traditional method of inking and rolling of the finger or photographing the finger. Powders (such as aluminum powder, black fingerprint powder, white cornstarch-based powder, or fluorescent powder) can be used to enhance the ridge features; adhesive tape can be pressed against the powdered digit and the print pattern preserved by applying the adhesive tape to a clear transparency sheet. In addition, molds (using modeling clay or silicone rubber) and casts (using plaster of Paris, dental casting materials, or putty) can be made of the digits; either the molds or the casts or both can be photographed with or without prior application of fingerprint powder. Transillumination, using a fiber optic light source to illuminate the epidermis and underlying remaining dermis of a scraped and defleshed finger pad can be used to demonstrate the finger ridge pattern when the photographing the tip of the digit. In summary, forensic dermatology can have an integral role in obtaining fingerprints from mummified digits, which can be successfully used for the identification of the decedent.
RESUMEN
Dermatographism was first described by William Heberden (1710-1801) more than 250 years ago as a type of urticaria brought on by rubbing or scratching the skin. In 1859, William Gull (1816-1890) gave it the name factitious urticaria, distinguishing dermatographism from chronic urticaria, in which the skin lesions appear spontaneously. During the 1870s French physicians at the Salpetriere Hospital in Paris became impressed by their ability to write words on the bodies of patients admitted with hysteria and other psychiatric disorders, who also exhibited dermatographism. At first, they described this phenomenon as "autographisme," but by 1890 it became known as "dermographisme," the forerunner of the current term "dermatographism." At the Salpetriere and elsewhere in the world, it became fashionable to photograph patients with dermatographism, to capture the striking urticarial writing on their skin. These photographs were used in atlases and to illustrate dermatology texts and medical journals as well as popular magazines. This contribution presents several vintage photographs of dermatographism from the late 19th century to the early 20th century. Dermatographism has also become featured in popular culture including film, comic books, poetry, and body art, examples of which are provided in this contribution with the assistance of two of our authors, Ariana Page Russell and Jeannine Hall Gailey, who have embraced their dermatographism and have used their artistic and poetic talents to educate and inspire patients about this common skin condition.