title: Gender differentiation by finger ridge count among South Indian population.
abstract: The goal of this study is to determine the gender based on finger ridge count within a well-defined area. Rolled fingerprints were taken from 550 subjects (275 men and 275 women) belonging to South Indian population all within the age range of 18-65 years. Results show that women have a significantly higher ridge count than men. Application of Baye's theorem suggests that a fingerprint possessing ridge density <13 ridges/25 mm(2) is most likely to be of male origin. Likewise, a fingerprint having ridge count >14 ridges/25 mm(2) are most likely to be of female origin. These results are helpful as a tool for fingerprint experts as they can be used as a presumptive indicator of gender based on the degree of ridge density.
authors.affiliation: Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, J.S.S University, J.S.S. Medical College, Sri Shivarathreeshwara Nagar, Bannimantap, Mysore 570015, Karnataka, India. nithin7755@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: M D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Nithin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Manjunatha
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Preethi
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Balaraj
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003878:Dermatoglyphics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D055815:Young Adult