Final answer:
Identical twins share the same genetic makeup but do not have identical fingerprints since fingerprints are influenced by both genetic factors and unique environmental conditions experienced in the womb. DNA fingerprinting is used to match DNA sequences for confirming relationships or identifying individuals.
Step-by-step explanation:
Even though identical twins have identical genes, they do not have the same fingerprints. Fingerprints are shaped by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, the latter of which twins do not share in the womb. Therefore, the unique ridges and patterns of a person's fingerprints are the result of both their genetic makeup and the unique conditions of the embryonic environment they experience, such as variations in amniotic fluid pressure, their position in the womb, and the rate of growth of their fingers at the end of the first trimester.
DNA fingerprinting is a technique used to compare DNA sequences and establish relationships or identities. It relies on finding similarities in DNA sequences to confirm relationships, such as paternity, or to match a crime scene sample with a suspect. In the case of identifying relationships to parents, DNA fingerprinting looks for evidence that a child's DNA contains sequences common to both the mother and father.