By: SHEETAL SINGH, AMAN KHAJURIA, AJEET JAISWAL
This study investigates sexual dimorphism in dermatoglyphic traits among adolescents from the Sagar district of Madhya Pradesh. The sample included 260 participants (130 males and 130 females) aged 10–18 years, selected through purposive sampling. Fingertip and palmar prints were collected using the standard ink method, following established dermatoglyphic procedures. The analysis examined the distribution of fingertip patterns and subtypes, digitspecific variations, bilateral combinations, and three quantitative indices: the Pattern Intensity Index, Furuhata’s Index, and Dankmeijer’s Index. The palmar ATD angle was also measured. Chi-square tests assessed sex differences in qualitative traits, while independent-samples t-tests compared quantitative indices and ATD angles. Loops were the most frequent patterns in both sexes, followed by whorls, arches, and composite types, with only minor sexbased variation. The dermatoglyphic indices showed no statistically significant dimorphism. In contrast, the ATD angle differed significantly between sexes, with males exhibiting higher mean values. These findings indicate that traditional fingertip indices have limited discriminatory value for sex determination in this adolescent population, whereas palmar metrics—particularly the ATD angle—offer a more reliable parameter.
