The aim of this thesis is to comprehensively analyze and describe one of the oldest methods of individual identification of individuals, which originates in ancient civilizations and consists of identifying a person on the basis of unique drawings of his papillary terrain. The dactyloscopy will be viewed primarily from a criminalistic perspective, although the text also deals with its expansion and use in other areas of human life. This is also a current trend, whose tendencies can be expected in the future. The thesis is divided into three basic chapters - history, present, future, which will gradually summarize the whole issue of this established forensic science. The text is supplemented with pictures and photographs with regard to practical use of this method. The first part of the thesis deals with the history of dactyloscopy from the discovery of papillary lines by ancient cultures to the gradual introduction of scientific approach to this discipline, either from physiological point of view or later from the criminalistic point of view. The text focuses mainly on important personalities who have helped to develop dactyloscopy and put it into practice. At the end of this part, the historical background and the development of the doctrine of papillary lines in the Czech Republic are also...