[thedoc (OP)]

Pauline asked the Naked Scientists:
   I want to know why my fingerprints won't take?

Really enjoy your programme,
What do you think?

[evan_au]

I'm not sure what the question means by "fingerprints won't take"...?

Once when I was passing through immigration, I was asked to scan my fingerprint.
It didn't read properly.
The previous person had left a smear of something greasy on the reader, but it gave a clear image after a wipedown with tissue paper.