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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009
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Man Without Prints Stumps Airport Security

1 in 50 lack matchable fingerprints worldwide

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(Newser) – The side effects of a drug to treat cancer led to a Singapore man being detained for hours by airport security officials who couldn’t find his fingerprints, USA Today reports. The drug capecitabine causes hand-foot syndrome, in which the skin peels off; the man was finally allowed through after being advised to carry a doctor’s note. His oncologist describes the unusual case today in an online letter to the Annals of Oncology.

Two years ago, Spanish doctors reported a similar incident involving a flight attendant taking the drug for breast cancer. In fact, for a variety of reasons, about 1 in 50 people worldwide lack matchable fingerprints, notes USA Today. "We have standard operating procedures that take that into account," says a Homeland Security official, adding that border agents consider other physical and behavioral traits.

Customs officials held up the cancer patient for four hours as they tried to discern whether he was a security risk.
Customs officials held up the cancer patient for four hours as they tried to discern whether he was a security risk.   (AP Photo)
The man lost his fingerprints after taking a cancer treatment drug. The condition, called hand-foot syndrome, is a common side effect that causes the hands and feet to peel.
The man lost his fingerprints after taking a cancer treatment drug. The condition, called hand-foot syndrome, is a common side effect that causes the hands and feet to peel.   (Shutter stock)
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We have standard procedures that take that into account.
- Anna Hinken, Department of Homeland Security, on people who lack fingerprints

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4 comments
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May 27, 09 4:56 PM CDT
a doctors note huh... nice Reply
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riffran
May 28, 09 1:05 AM CDT
hmmm new one....Oncology drugs, are known for a variety of sometimes nasty side effects, it doesn't suprise me....but is very intresting Reply
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Snarfeh
Jun 11, 09 11:46 AM CDT
I'm only commenting on this to test html in comments. Does it work or not? Reply
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Snarfeh
Jun 11, 09 11:46 AM CDT
Damn. It doesn't. Reply
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He was held up for 4 hours
Los Angeles Times

Drug is commonly used
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