Determination Of Sex From Fingerprint Ridge Density Among South Indian Population-A One Year Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Objectives and Background ABSTRACT Fingerprints appeared to be permanent features of each person’s body and personal identification through fingerprints has long been recognized because of its uniqueness. Criminals often leave there fingerprint at the site of crime unknowingly which though not apparently visible can be subsequently developed and studied successfully. Identification of sex by fingerprint ridge density will be helpful to the investigating officer which would save time in nabbing the suspects. The present study was undertaken to determine the sex from fingerprint ridge density. Materials and Methods The present study was conducted in the year 2010-11 consisting of 200 subjects ( 100 males and 100 females) of South Indian origin of J.N.Medical College, Belgaum, by simple random technique. After taking fingerprints, the ridges of upper portion of the radial border of each print in an area of 25 mm iv 2 counted. The mean value is calculated for all the ten fingers. This value represents the approximate number of ridges for the particular individual. The significance of this value is determined. Results In our present study females were found to have significantly higher ridge density than males ( p < 0.001) . Study showed that 95% of the males have a mean ridge density of ≤ 15 ridges/25 mm density of ≥ 16 ridges/25 mm 2 2 and 87% of the females have a mean ridge . It is observed that none of the males have a mean ridge density of more than 18 ridges/25 mm 2 and there are no females who have a mean ridge density below 13 ridges/25 mm v 2 . It is found that thumb finger tends to have less ridge count compared to other finger. Ring finger and Little finger showed higher ridge density compared to other fingers. It is found that thumb finger tends to have less ridge count compared to other fingers and Ring finger and Little finger showed higher ridge density compared to other fingers. Study also showed that average ridge count doesn’t differ in all the four blood groups but the percentage of distribution of gender into two categories is significantly different in all the blood groups. Conclusion The present study has shown that a fingerprint with ridge density of ≤ 15 ridges/25 mm ridges/25 mm 2 2 is more likely to be of male and fingerprint with ridge density of ≥ 16 goes in favour of female.