Definition
Dermatoglyphics is a science in which the patterns presented on finger tips and
toes are studied by scientists.
History
Dermatoglyphics (from ancient Greek derma = "skin", glyph = "carving") is the scientific
study of fingerprints. The term was coined by Dr. HaroldCummins, the father of American
fingerprint analysis, even though the process of fingerprint identification had
already been in use for several hundred years.
Research & Studies
1684 Dr. Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) :- presented Finger Prints, Palms and
Soles An Introduction To Dermatoglyphics to the Royal Society.
1685 Dr.Bidloo 1685 :- published an anatomical atlas, Anatomia Humani Corporis,
with illustrations showing the human figure both in living attitudes and as dissected
cadavers.
1686 Dr. Marcello Malphigi (1628-1694) :- noted in his treatise; ridges,
spirals and loops in fingerprints.
1788 J.C.Mayer :- was the first to write out basic tenets of fingerprint
analysis and theorised that fingerprints were unique.
1823 Dr. Jan Purkinje :- classified the papillary lines on the fingertips
into nine types: arch, tented arch, ulna loop, radial loop, peacock's eye/compound,
spiral whorl, elliptical whorl, circular whorl, and double loop/composite.
1823 Joannes Evangelista :- Purkinji found that the patterns on one's finger
tips and the ridges and lines on one's prints begin to form at around the thirteenth
week in the womb.
1832 Dr. Charles Bell (1774-1842) :- was one of the first physicians to combine
the scientific study of neuroanatomy with clinical practice. He published The Hand:
Its Mechanism and Vital Endowments as Evincing Design.
1893 Dr. Francis Galton :- published his book, "Fingerprints", establishing
the individuality and permanence offingerprints. The book included the first classification
system for fingerprints: Arch, Loop, and Whorl.
1897 Harris Hawthorne Wilder :- was the first American to study dermatoglyphics.
He invented the Main Line Index, studied thenar hypothenar eminencies, zones II,
III, IV.
1926 Dr. Harold Cummins & Dr. Charles Midlo coined :- the term "dermatoglyphics".
They showed that the hand contained significant dermatoglyphic configurations that
would assist the identification of mongolism in the new-born child.
1936 Dr. Harold Cummins & Dr. Charles Midlo :- also researched the embryo-genesis
of skin ridge patterns and established that the fingerprint patterns actually develop
in the womb and are fully formed by the fourth fetal month.
1957 Dr.Walker :- used the dermal configurations in the diagnosis of mongolism
1969 John J. Mulvihill, MD and David W. Smith, MD published :- The Genesis
of Dermatoglyphics that provides the most up to date version of how fingerprints
form.