| Author | Message | ||
     Webmaster |
Assuming your question is, "Is there a classification method for differentiating human populations using fingerprints, i.e., Native American, European, etc.?" The answer is no insofar as forensic identification is concerned. We cannot even differentiate Caucasoid, Negroid and Mongoloid, let alone lesser population (geographic) groups based on fingerprint classification. Please also see the answer here. Undoubtedly, collecting the fingerprints of everyone in (or a large portion of) a population group will give you some fingerprint pattern demographics... but, such numbers will vary as you reduce the number of individuals sampled and are meaningless in attempting to apply with any degree of scientific certainty to identify the group to which any one person belongs based on their loop/arch/whorl fingerprint patterns. In that we identify one person at a time, such Level 1 detail demographics have no value insofar as forensic identification as applied by Latent Print Examiners (the topic area of fingerprints at onin.com). The factors governing volar pad formation and resulting fingerprint patterns during fetal development are NOT merely gene based. If they were, monozygotic twins would always have the same basic fingerprint patterns (loops, arches and whorls on corresponding fingers)... which they do not. And, of course, even when identical twins do have similar patterns on corresponding fingers, the Level two and Level three detail is completely different. Best wishes, --Ed German | ||
| Ann Means |
classification of human populations by classification of latent fingerprints - Native American, European, etc. Thanks |
