STUDY OF FINGERPRINT PATTERN IN KASHMIRI POPULATION

Background: Dactylography/Dactyloscopy/Dermatoglyphics is the study of fingerprints as a method of identification.Fingerprint is an easily available,accurate and authentic method of identification.Importance of fingerprints is of immense use in forensic,and criminal application.Nowadays the subject is also developing importance in various other field as well.A Aim:To identify the fingerprint pattern and its relation with gender in kashmiri population. Material and Method: A cross sectional study was done in the government chest disease hospital.The subjects were the staff of the department belonging to various regions and districts of kashmir.The subjects were asked to press their fingers on the stamp pad and then transfered to the paper. Result: Loops were the most common pattern found followed by whorls and arches.Loops was found in 53.8%,whorls in 39.5% and arches in 6.7%.In gender wise distribution a higher percentage of loops was found in females and whorls in males. Conclusion: In the current research work different types of fingerprint patterns were found. Fingerprint is an easily available and effective method of identification of a person. This study will prove helpful to experts in solving criminal cases, identifying missing persons or in case of a disaster.