Final answer:
The assertion that fingerprints cannot be obtained post skin slippage is false as forensic methods can still be applied. The extra epidermal layer on hands and feet is beneath the surface, and nail polish is removed before surgery to enable proper monitoring of oxygen saturation levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that 'Once skin slippage begins, it is impossible to obtain fingerprints' is false. While skin slippage, which can be due to decomposition or damage, makes it more challenging to retrieve fingerprints, forensic experts may use alternative methods such as super glue fuming, fingerprint powder, or digital enhancement to recover them. Even in cases where the outer layer of the skin has slipped off, the inner layer may still retain the ridge patterns that can be used for identification.
The extra layer of epidermis found on the palms and soles is called the stratum lucidum, and it is not on the very outer surface; instead, it is located beneath the outermost layer known as the stratum corneum. To clarify, this extra layer helps in providing durability to these areas subjected to friction.
Physicians and Nail Polish
Physicians often insist that patients remove any nail polish before having surgery because the nail bed is a useful spot for monitoring oxygen saturation in the blood during and after surgery using a pulse oximeter. Nail polish can interfere with this monitoring, leading to inaccurate readings.
Langerhans Cells and Fingerprints
It is true that Langerhans cells are immune cells located in the epidermis. They play a role in skin's immune response. Fingerprints are due to the structures of ridges on the surface of the epidermis, which are unique to each individual, aiding in personal identification.