Authors
Nazla Khalid
Abstract
Fingerprints are unique characteristics which helps in positive personal identification. Two fingerprints are never alike, thus one of the best technique for individualization. Fingerprint has been the most commonly encountered trace evidence in scene of crime in the form of latent, patent and plastic prints. Dermatoglyphics is the branch of science related to patterns of ridges on skin. Dermatoglyphics is further divided into qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative Dermatoglyphics encompasses difference in fingerprints patterns and minutiae; whereas, ridge density (RD) and Ridge Count (RC) are incorporated with quantitative study of fingerprints. Epidermal ridge density is determined by means of following: (1) Distance between the ridges and (2) Width of Ridges. Thickness/Width of the epidermal ridges varies among individuals, generally women possess ridges which are fine in contrary to men and, thus, ridge density per given unit of space is greater for female. This form basis for determination of sex from Fingerprints. Researches have conducted the studies among Caucasian–American, Spanish, African–American, Southern Indian and Central Indian populations and similar trend of women having ridge density greater over men is observed. From studies of various researches over the decades, it is proved that ridge density will help the investigators to identify the sex of the perpetrators and thereby eliminate least significant possibilities. Keywords: Fingerprints, Dermatoglyphics, Ridge Density, Sex Determination, Personal Identification, Ridge Width
Introduction
Dermatoglyphics deals with a branch of science related to configurations of dermal ridges on hand and feet (Tikare et. al., 2010). Positive personal identification can be often established from fingerprint, face, teeth, hair, DNA, iris, gait patterns, bones etc. (Karki and Singh, 2014). Identification can be complete (absolute) with complete fixation of the individual or Partial identification which involves ascertainment of specific facts like sex, stature, age etc. regarding an individual (Kapoor and Badiye, 2015). Fingerprints are best to establish the identity owing to its non-invasive and cost effective characteristics. Two fingers will never have identical prints, even monozygotic twins. (Kapoor, 2015; Nayak et al., 2010; Tandon et al., 2017). Fingerprints involves the unique arrangement of furrows and grooves in distal phalanges of fingers (Nabar, 46–52). The science of identification through the examination of fingerprints - Dactyloscopy is devised by Harold Cummins in 1926 (Tandon et al., 2017; Kapoor and Badiye, 2015). Dermal ridges and craniofacial structures are both formed during 5–7th week of intra‐uterine life and are completed by 21-24th week (6-month foetal life) (Tikare et. al., 2010; Sharma et al., 2018; Kapoor and Badiye, 2015). The ridges are thus permanent and are lost through decomposition after death (Sharma et al., 2018). The overall fingerprint characteristic is affected by genetics and environmental factors; thus useful for the diagnosis of congenital malformations (Sharma et al., 2018; Maltoni, 512–13). The genetic code in DNA gives general instructions on the way skin should form in a developing foetus and the specific way it forms is a result of random, influenced by the flow of amniotic fluid, the position of the foetus in the uterus etc (Maltoni, 512–13). This result in uniqueness of the fingerprints. The fingerprints remain permanent and unaltered except in scenarios of injuries of cuts, bruises and burns, however, it is restored once healed (Karki and Singh, 2014; Soanboon et al., 2015).
Dactyloscopy has developed over time. Initially, it was used in ancient Babylonia to mark business transactions. Today fingerprints are the most preferred to biometric security devices and an important scientific evidence in courts throughout the world (Gunas et al., 2018). The foundations for Modern Fingerprint Identification were established by the studies of Sir Francis Galton (Father of Fingerprint) and Sir Edward Henry at the end of the 19th century. F. Galton put forth Dalton details or minutiae and minimum minutiae required to establish a perfect match. Sir E. Henry contributed to the formation of the “Primary classification of fingerprints” (Rao et al., 2008; MHA, Government of India, 2016).
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