Background: Fingerprints are widely recognized for their uniqueness and reliability in human identification. While ventral (palmar) prints are extensively studied, dorsal finger dermatoglyphics remain underexplored.
Methods: A cross-sectional study of 160 medical students was conducted at Government Villupuram Medical College. Ventral index finger impressions were classified using the Henry–Galton system, while dorsal impressions were categorized as Vertical, Horizontal, Oblique, Semi-lunar, and Mixed. Frequencies and cross-tabulations were analyzed.
Results: Ventral patterns comprised Loops (48.75%), Whorls (40%), Arches (8.75%), and Composites (2.5%). Dorsal patterns showed Vertical (53.75%) as most common, followed by Horizontal (30.63%), Oblique (7.5%), Semi-lunar (5%), and Mixed (3.13%). Cross-tabulation revealed Vertical as the predominant dorsal pattern across all ventral types, with Mixed observed only in Whorls.
Conclusion: Dorsal dermatoglyphics demonstrate consistent, reproducible patterns and hold promise as supplementary identifiers in forensic practice, especially when ventral prints are unavailable due to injury or decomposition.
International Journal of Forensic Medicine
