Well fingerprints are not inherited but the patterns are. There have been studies that show that the fingerprint patterns of related persons are similar. The exact number, shape, and spacing of ridges changes from person to person.
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Are_fingerprint_inherited
Fingerprint Science Project: Investigate whether fingerprint patterns are inherited. ... In this science project, you'll collect, categorize, and compare the fingerprints of siblings versus unrelated pairs of individuals to determine if fingerprint patterns are inherited.
www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_id... www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project_ideas/Genom_p009.shtml
Re: Help on Project of Inherited Fingerprints ... Hi chang, If you provide "inherited fingerprint patterns" to answers.com you'll get a wide variety of resources. The articles suggest that fingerprints are inherited, with the possibility of false matches between family members.
www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/phpBB3/vie... www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=3841
Frequently Asked Questions about Fingerprints ... What are the fundamentals of the science of fingerprints? ... Are fingerprints inherited... are they more similar between family members than between strangers?
www.onin.com/fp/lpfaq.html
no they are formed by conditions inside the womb
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20090118134...
It is possible for family members to have similar fingerprints.  This is due to our genetic codes.  However, there are at least three variables to consider in the study of this discipline.  The first is the intensity of the inherited gene.
www.dermatoglyphics.com/family/
See Ed German’s Latent Print Examination site, including lots of news and interesting related links, plus his Frequently Asked Questions, including whether fingerprints are inherited...
www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/less... www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/agesubject/lessons/prints.html
1994 Category Winners in; Zoology ... Second Place: J1629 Ropchak, Chris A. Grade 8, Riverside County; Are Fingerprints Inherited? Advisor: Mr. Jim Owen; School: Jurupa Middle School, Riverside...
www.usc.edu/CSSF/History/1994/CatWin_J16.html
Fingerprints have been collected, observed and tested as a means of unique identification of persons for more than 100 years. ... Are fingerprints inherited... are they more similar between family members than between strangers?
faculty.valenciacc.edu/tklenk/labs/printinfo.htm
When there is a permanent scar on the skin or the fingerprints, it is because the dermal papillae has been effected. The third and the most important factor is your genes ! So yes, its true, fingerprints are inherited.
www.useless-knowledge.com/articles/100.html