Sexual dimorphism and topological variability in fingerprint ridge density in a north-west Indian population

The science of fingerprints is very crucial in criminal investigation as it helps identify perpetrators or victims of a crime. Fingerprint ridge density (FPRD), which refers to the number of ridges within a specific area on the epidermal skin layer of the distal phalanges in humans, has been found t...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Die Naturwissenschaften 2024-06, Vol.111 (3), p.23-23, Article 23
Main Authors: Das, Devi, Seal, Saumya, Pal, Sreeparna, Chitara, Nandini, Meena, Rakesh, Guleria, Ankita, Rana, Akansha, Verma, Ritika, Krishan, Kewal
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Crime
Criminal investigations
Density
Ecology
Environment
Female
Females
Fingerprints
Forensic science
Humans
Life Sciences
Male
Males
Original Article
Parameter identification
Ridges
Sex Characteristics
Sexual dimorphism
Topology
Young Adult
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Summary:The science of fingerprints is very crucial in criminal investigation as it helps identify perpetrators or victims of a crime. Fingerprint ridge density (FPRD), which refers to the number of ridges within a specific area on the epidermal skin layer of the distal phalanges in humans, has been found to differ between males and females. This study attempts to estimate the sex from FPRD and evaluates the diversity in FPRD across several topological areas. The study involves 208 participants (120 males, 88 females) between the ages 18 to 25 years from a North-west Indian population. Fingerprints were collected, and FPRD was accessed in radial, ulnar, and proximal areas as recommended by Gutierrez-Redomero et al. (Forensic Sci Int 180(1):17–22, 2008 ). FPRD has been quantified using the techniques described by Acree (Forensic Sci Int 102(1):35–44, 1999 ). When evaluating FPRD in the lateral pocket loops and twin loops, the proximal-side core was considered. The study reveals that males have a mean fingerprint ridge density of 12.82 ridges/25 mm 2 while females have 13.01 ridges/25 mm 2 . Females have higher fingerprint ridge density solely in the proximal area; males have higher fingerprint ridge density in both radial and ulnar areas. In conclusion, this research underscores the potential of fingerprint ridge density as a parameter for investigating population variations and individual identification. Future studies on fingerprint ridge density in India’s diverse population will help establish reference ranges, allowing for sex and likely population group estimation, making it a valuable tool for preliminary examinations and exclusion criteria for sex estimation in crime scene investigations.
ISSN:0028-1042
1432-1904
DOI:10.1007/s00114-024-01911-x