Abstract
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 mm2 while females have 13.01 ridges/25 mm2. 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.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Acree MA (1999) Is there a gender difference in fingerprint ridge density? Forensic Sci Int 102(1):35–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0379-0738(99)00037-7
Ahmed AA, Osman S (2016) Topological variability and sex differences in fingerprint ridge density in a sample of the Sudanese population. J Forensic Leg Med 42:25–32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2016.05.005
Banik SD, Pal P, Mukherjee DP (2009) Finger dermatoglyphic variations in Rengma Nagas of Nagaland India. Coll Antropol 33(1):31–35
Baryah N, Krishan K, Kanchan T (2023) Unusual fingerprint patterns in humans: implications for forensic casework and fingerprint research. Sci Nat (naturwissenschaften) 110(1):5. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-023-01834-z
Chovancová M, Beňuš R, Švábová P, Masnicová S (2023) Sexual dimorphism and bilateral difference of fingerprint sweat pore among Slovak population. J Forensic Leg Med 94:102487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2023.102487
Cummins H, Midlo C (1961) Fingerprints, palms and soles: an introduction to dermatoglyphics. Dover Publications, New York
Cummins H, Waits WJ, McQuitty JT (1941) The breadths of epidermal ridges on the finger tips and palms: a study of variation. Am J Anat 68(1):127–150. https://doi.org/10.1002/aja.1000680106
Eshak GA, Zaher JF, Hasan EI, Ewis AAE (2013) Sex identification from fingertip features in Egyptian population. J Forensic Leg Med 20(1):46–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2012.04.038
Gutiérrez-Redomero E, Alonso C, Romero E, Galera V (2008) Variability of fingerprint ridge density in a sample of Spanish Caucasians and its application to sex determination. Forensic Sci Int 180(1):17–22. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.forsciint.2008.06.014
Gutiérrez-Redomero E, Alonso MC, Dipierri JE (2011) Sex differences in fingerprint ridge density in the Mataco-Mataguayo population. HOMO-J Comp Hum Biol 62(6):487–499. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchb.2011.05.001
Gutiérrez-Redomero E, Quirós JA, Rivaldería N, Alonso MC (2013) Topological variability of fingerprint ridge density in a sub-Saharan population sample for application in personal identification. J Forensic Sci 58(3):592–600. https://doi.org/10.1111/1556-4029.12092
Jantz RL, Parham KR (1978) Racial differences in dermal ridge breadth. Hum Biol 50(1):33–40
Karmakar B, Yakovenko K, Kobyliansky E (2008) Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia in two types of dermatoglyphic traits: principal component analysis. Coll Antropol 32(2):467–477
Kaur T, Chitara N, Guleria A, Meena R, Siwan D, Rani D, Kaur K, Sharma V, Kanchan T, Krishan K (2023) Development, detection and decipherment of obfuscated fingerprints in humans: implications for forensic casework. Sci Nat (naturwissenschaften) 110(6):55. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-023-01886-1
Krishan K, Ghosh A, Kanchan T, Ngangom C, Sen J (2010) Sex differences in fingerprint ridge density–causes and further observations. J Forensic Leg Med 17(3):172–173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2009.12.003
Krishan K, Kanchan T, Ngangom C (2013) A study of sex differences in fingerprint ridge density in a North Indian young adult population. J Forensic Leg Med 20(4):217–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2012.09.008
Mukherji D, Mukherji D, Bharati P (2009) Laboratory manual for biological anthropology. Asian Books Private Limited, New Delhi
Nagesh KR, Bathwal S, Ashoka B (2011) A preliminary study of pores on epidermal ridges: are there any sex differences and age related changes? J Forensic Leg Med 18(7):302–305. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2011.06.005
Nayak VC, Rastogi P, Kanchan T, Lobo SW, Yoganarasimha K, Nayak S, Rao NG, Kumar GP, Shetty BSK, Menezes RG (2010) Sex differences from fingerprint ridge density in the Indian population. J Forensic L Med 17(2):84–86. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2009.09.002
Nithin MD, Manjunatha B, Preethi DS, Balaraj BM (2011) Gender differentiation by finger ridge count among South Indian population. J Forensic Leg Med 18(2):79–81. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jflm.2011.01.006
Ohler EA, Cummins H (1942) Sexual differences in breadths of epidermal ridges on finger tips and palms. Am J of Phys Anthropol 29(3):341–362. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330290302
Okajima M (1975) Development of dermal ridges in the fetus. J Med Genet 12(3):243–250. https://doi.org/10.1136/jmg.12.3.243
Penrose LS, Loesch D (1967) A study of dermal ridge width in the second (palmar) interdigital area with special reference to aneuploid states. J Ment Defic Res 11(1):36–42. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2788.1967.tb00201.x
Plato CC, Cereghino JJ, Steinberg FS (1975) The dermatoglyphics of American caucasians. Am J Phys Anthropol 42(2):195–210. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330420205
Reddy GG (1975) Finger dermatoglyphics of the Bagathas of Araku valley (A. P.). India. Am J Phys Anthropol 42(2):225–228. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.1330420208
Rivaldería N, Sánchez-Andrés Á, Alonso-Rodríguez C, Dipierri JE, Gutiérrez-Redomero E (2016) Fingerprint ridge density in the Argentinean population and its application to sex inference: a comparative study. HOMO-J Comp Hum Biol 67(1):65–84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jchb.2015.09.004
Sánchez-Andrés A, Barea JA, Rivaldería N, Alonso-Rodríguez C, Gutiérrez-Redomero E (2018) Impact of aging on fingerprint ridge density: anthropometry and forensic implications in sex inference. Sci Justice 58(5):323–334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2018.05.001
Sharma S, Shrestha R, Krishan K, Kanchan T (2021) Sex estimation from fingerprint ridge density a review of literature. Acta Biomed 92(5):e2021366. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92i5.11471
Sharma S, Krishan K, Rani D, Mukhra R, Kanchan T (2022) Is fingerprint ridge density influenced by hand dimensions? Acta Biomed 93(6):e2022315. https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v93i6.13548
Siváková D, Scheil HG, Schmidt HD, Vulpe C (2007) Population affinities assessed by dermatoglyphic and hemogenetic variables. Anthropol Anz 65(2):137–146. https://doi.org/10.1127/anthranz/65/2007/137
Soanboon P, Nanakorn S, Kutanan W (2016) Determination of sex difference from fingerprint ridge density in northeastern Thai teenagers. Egypt J Forensic Sci 6(2):185–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejfs.2015.08.001
Tafazoli M, Shahri NM, Ejtehadi H, Farhang H, Nooghabi HJ, Shahri MM, Naderi S (2013) Biological variability of sweat gland pores in the fingerprints of a Fars Iranian family from Khorasan Razavi province. Iran Anat Sci J 10(2):99–104
Thakar MK, Kaur P, Sharma T (2018) Validation studies on gender determination from fingerprints with special emphasis on ridge characteristics. Egypt J Forensic Sci 8(1):1–7. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41935-018-0049-7
Acknowledgements
We are also grateful to the participants, who volunteered for the study.
Funding
KK is supported by UGC Centre of Advanced Study in Anthropology (CAS II), awarded to the Department of Anthropology, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. NC is thankful to the NFSC, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India, for funding the Ph.D. in the form of a research fellowship. RM is thankful to the NFST, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Government of India, for funding the Ph.D. in the form of a research fellowship. AG is thankful to Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, for awarding INSPIRE Fellowship under grant number IF190719 for pursuing Ph.D. AR is grateful to Panjab University Chandigarh, India, for providing the fellowship in the form of a Panjab University Research Scholarship for pursuing PhD.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no competing interests.
Additional information
Communicated by Matthias Waltert
Publisher's Note
Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.
Rights and permissions
Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.
About this article
Cite this article
Das, D., Seal, S., Pal, S. et al. Sexual dimorphism and topological variability in fingerprint ridge density in a north-west Indian population. Sci Nat 111, 23 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-024-01911-x
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:
Published:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00114-024-01911-x