Human Identification: Assessment of Interrelationships between Sex, Handedness and Dermatoglyphics

 Philip, O. Ogunnaike¹, Joshua, O. Owolabi¹, Abimbola, O. Ogunsola², John A. Olanrewaju³

¹Department of Anatomy, Ben Carson Sr. School of Medicine, Babcock University, Nigeria

²Department of Physiology, Ben Carson Sr. School of Medicine, Babcock University, Nigeria

³Department of Anatomy, College of Health Sciences, Babcock University, Nigeria

E-mail: Olaowolabi001@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

Humans have numerous forms of diversity ranging from the very fundamental form of gender to inter- and intra-populations forms of diversity. Several methods have been established for identifications of humans; very importantly, gender and dermatoglyphic features, especially thumbprints. Handedness has also been shown to vary among humans. There is however the need to investigate further, the nature of interrelationships between the parameters. This investigation was carried out to observe the prevalence of each of the selected parameters of identification: sex, handedness and thumbprints; and to evaluate the interrelationship between them within the study group. A total of (n = 120) subjects participated, having met the criteria for participation. They completed questionnaires for demographic information and the thumbprints of both hands were obtained with the aid of ink. These were classified primarily as Whorl (W), Arch (A) or Loop (L). Handedness could be Right (R), Left (L) or Both (B). Data obtained from the subjects were subjected to descriptive statistics. Right handedness was the predominant; without left handedness, thus ambidexterity accounts for the remaining 3%. Most right-handed subjects had the Whorl right thumbprint pattern and the Loop left thumbprint pattern. Both handedness and thumbprints patterns vary between sexes, but to varying extents.