Digital Dermatoglyphics in Students of Delta State University, Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatoglyphic studies have established that palmer and digital ridges form well defined patterns exhibiting traits that are genetically determined, appear to be conservative in their evolution and are therefore very reliable for establishing and confirming the historical relationship and within populations. Unilateral thumbprints of 248 students were recorded, studied and classified using standard methods. The results obtained showed that loops were the most predominant pattern type in both sexes followed by whorls and arches. However, no significant differences occurred between sexes in the pattern types (p>0.05). This study documents for the first time fingerprint patterns in undergraduates of Delta state university and further confirms findings in other parts of Africa.