Upon examination of latent fingerprints, examiners may encounter friction-ridge skin impressions that bear scars. When comparing two sets of latent prints, it is possible that the scar will be absent in one set. In this case, an understanding of the way in which scar tissue forms can help determine whether the latent prints are from the same source, even though one bears a scar and the other does not. The author presents a review of the morphology and anatomy of friction-ridge skin and then describes the two phases of wound healing. The way in which the wound healing process impacts the impressions left by friction-ridge skin is explained as the author offers advice on how to examine and weigh the significance of a scar appearing in latent prints. Figures, resources