DERMATOGLYPHICS OF UNDERGRADUATE DENTAL STUDENTS - AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

INTRODUCTION: Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of fingerprints, mount, line, ridges and shapes of hand. Fingerprints have been the important tool for personal identification in the forensic community because fingerprints are never repeated,and It is different and unique for each and every individual AIM : The aim of this study is to study the different types of fingerprints in male and female undergraduates of private dental college MATERIALS AND METHODS : Data(fingerprints) were collected from 50 undergraduate students,26 females and 24 males. The fingerprints are collected by ink pad method using ink stamps and paper RESULT : The most frequently seen fingerprint type is loop(left loop and right loop). The frequency of loop type of fingerprint is 74% , frequency of whorls is 12% and the frequency of arch is 14%. CONCLUSION : The present study concludes that the most frequently seen fingerprint type among undergraduate dental students is loop(left loop and right loop) type. Highest percentages of loops and lowest percentages of whorl were found in both male and female medical students. This study suggests that fingerprint patterns are unique and can be used as forensic evidence in crime scene investigation.