Sex identification from fingertip features in Egyptian population

Area of Science:

• Forensic Anthropology
• Dermatoglyphics
• Human Identification

Background:

• Individual identification is crucial in medico-legal investigations.
• Fingerprints are a highly reliable method for identification.
• Understanding demographic variations in fingerprint features is essential for forensic science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate sexual dimorphism in fingertip features among Egyptians.
• To determine the accuracy of specific fingertip characteristics in sex determination.
• To establish the utility of these features for medico-legal identification.

Main Methods:

• Data collected from 752 healthy adult Egyptians (20-30 years).
• Photographic analysis of 10 digits to measure ridge count, square area, finger breadth, and ridge density.
• Statistical analysis using multivariate logistic regression.

Main Results:

• Females exhibited significantly narrower finger breadth, smaller square area, higher ridge count, and greater ridge density compared to males.
• Left-hand ridge density was the most accurate single predictor of sex.
• Combining ridge count, square area, and ridge density achieved 82% classification accuracy for sex determination.

Conclusions:

• Fingertip features in Egyptians display significant sexual dimorphism.
• These features, particularly ridge density, can be reliably used by medico-legal experts for sex identification.
• The study provides valuable data for forensic identification practices in the Egyptian population.