DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2017.v05i11.002

Pages: 785-789

Dermatoglyphics is defined simply as the study of patterns of the skin (dermal) ridges present on human fingers, toes and the soles. The finger ridge counts as a parameter could be used as an investigative tool in forensics. The study was aimed at investigating whether there is a characteristic finger ridge count difference in acquired idiopathic blindness and comparing with non-blind subjects. The design of the study was non-experimental analytical and cross-sectional. The study had 72 subjects which were 14 female blind, 22 male blind, 18 female non-blind and 18 male non-blind subjects recruited for the study. The fingers ridge counts were determined using a classical scanner type, Hp G3110 Scanjet Scanner (9000x4800 dpi resolution) to obtain a clear and visible print. One–way Anova and Kruskal-Wallis Test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS 20.0 version). The blind male subjects had the highest mean value [66.42± 5.73, 64.36±3.28] on the right index finger and left middle finger respectively. The least mean value [46.63±4.21; 55.15± 2.67] right little finger and the left thumb respectively. The Non-blind subjects had the highest mean value [73.05± 5.30; 72.10±1.86] the right middle finger and left index finger respectively. The least mean value [61.45±2.16; 55.05± 4.67] right thumb and left little finger respectively. It has been established that there is a characteristic finger ridge distribution that could be used to differentiate blind males from non-blind males. This information will be very helpful in forensics.