The first dermatoglyphic syndrome, called ‘Ridges-off the-End’, is described in a family from Dorset, England. The syndrome appears to be inherited as an autosomal dominant, and consists of: (1) Ridges running vertically off the end of finger and toe prints instead of forming the normal patterns, (2) a tendency for the fingertip patterns to partly cross the distal interphalangeal flexion crease, with the triradius en or below the f coon crease, (3) a tendency for several of the patterns to take their exit on the radial border of the fingers, (4) a complete absence of arches, whorls, twinned loops, lateral pocket loops and composites in every affected member, (5) a tendency for inter-digital patterns on the palm to extend more proximally than normal, (6) considerable distal displacement of the t triradius to a t” or t’” position, and (7) a peculiar vertical ‘crack’ in the ridges on the hypothenar eminence above the hypothenar pattern. A second family with ‘ ridges-off-the-end’ again inherited as a dominant character has been found, and it is postulated that there are other inherited dermato