Assessment of Dermatoglyphic Patterns and Sex Distribution in Esan Ethnic Group of Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study was carried out to find out the possibility of a unique pattern of palm and finger prints (Dermatoglyphics) among 192 adults (96 males and 96 females) of Esan origin who, at the time of this study, were residing in Esan-land - the central senatorial district of Edo state, Nigeria. The subjects were selected via multi-stage sampling technique and fingerprint determination was performed using the Indian ink methods. Palm and fingerprints were observed for the angles connecting the triradii at the roots of the fingers (a-index finger, b-middle finger, c-ring finger d-small finger and t-the most proximal triradii in the palm) taken as atd, tad and tda angles. The data collected were statistically analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) using the student t-test, chi square test and ANOVA as statistical tools. Results showed that the loop pattern had the highest frequency (61.7%) followed by whorl (24.9%), arch (12.8%) and double whorl (0.6%). The mean atd angles were 43.49 for males and 44.02 for females; tad angles were 75.11 for males and 74.71 % for females; and tda were 61.22% for males and 61.35% females. These reveals that the pattern of finger prints distribution were similar for both sexes except that the males had more arches on the right hand (53%) than the females with more arches on the left hand (57.1%).

Keywords: Esan people, Dematoglyphic Patterns, Finger Prints, Palm