Fingerprint pattern similarity: a family-based study using novel classification

Abstract

Objectives: Establishing that certain traits are inherited can be assessed from the extent of morphological similarity of the offspring and their parents. This study, evaluated the pattern similarity of the fingerprint of offspring to that of their parents using a novel classification. Methods: Fifty families (comprising of father, mother and a child) without ethnic considerations were recruited and digital fingerprints were obtained. The fingerprints; arch (A), loop (L), and whorl (W) were identified and a novel classification (A, L, W, AL, AW, and LW) for heredity study as described by Aigbogun et al.(2018) was adopted. Chi-square analysis was used to test distribution differences, while a pedigree tree was designed for the offspring's similarity to the parents. Results: In this study, loop (L) was consistently predominant both as single (>60%) and combined distribution (>75%), followed by whorl (<25%) and then arch (<22%); although not entirely consistent for the whorl (W) and arch)