Dactylographyrefers to the scientific study of fingerprints as a method of identification. Dactylographyis based on the principle that skin of the balls of the fingers and thumbs is covered with characteristics ridges, the arrangement and distribution of which remains constant and persists throughout life and that the patterns of no two hands resemble each other, even the fingerprints of identical twins are different.The present study was designed to study the prevalence of different fingerprint patterns among the study population and its variation among different fingers and different individuals as well. Methods:A total of 100 males and females (each) from MBBS students were enrolled and study was carried out in the department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Government Medical College, Amritsar. Results: Mean age of the study group was 20.91+ 1.10 years. Out of 2000 fingers of both hands of all the subjects, both males and females (n=200), the most predominant fingerprint pattern observed was loop pattern seen in 1217 (60.85%) cases, followed by whorls in 705 (35.25%) cases. Arches were observed in 67 (3.35%) cases. The least observed fingerprint pattern was composite pattern in only 11 (0.55%) cases. Conclusion:The fingerprints are unique to each individual and an important means of personal identification, being easy to compare, transport and store in computers and databases and use cost effective technology. Thus, these must be collected, analysed and stored, which can help in criminal investigations as fingerprints act as an important trace evidence at the scene of crime.