Fingerprint patterns in relation to gender and blood groups - A study in Navi Mumbai

Introduction: Human identification can be done by using various physical and mental characteristics. Being unique, fingerprints can be used to identify an individual. Strong correlation has been found in earlier studies between the fingerprint pattern and gender and blood group. Objectives: The objective of the study was to determine correlation (if any) between the fingerprint pattern and blood group and gender. Materials and Method: The study was conducted on 170 subjects [70 males and 100 females] in the age group of 18-65 years. The fingerprint pattern of the study participants was compared with the gender and ABO-Rh blood group after taking their verbal consent. Results: Amongst ABO blood group, the most common blood group was B (36.47%), followed by O (35.88%), A (18.23%) and AB (9.4%). Rh + ve was the most common rhesus factor (95.88%). The loop was the most common pattern (62.35%), followed by whorl (32.94%) and arch (4.7%). There was significant association between the fingerprint pattern and ABO blood group (P value < 0.05). Conclusion: The present study confirms that loop is the most common fingerprint pattern while arch was the least common. The study revealed significant association between the fingerprint pattern and ABO blood group. No statistical significant association was found between the fingerprint pattern and gender.