CHAPTER ONE

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Dermatoglyphics was derived from the Greek word, “dermis” meaning skin and “glyph”meaning curving. Dermatoglyphics is the science of configuration of epidermal ridges of thevolar surfaces of the fingers, toes, palms and soles (cummins and mildo, 1961).Dermatoglyphics is the scientific study of epidermal ridge (or papillary peaks) patterns on fingers (fingerprints) and palms (palmprints). Each person has distinct and unique ridges on the fingers and palms that are genetically determined (Gutierez et al., 2012). Dermatoglyphic patterns are not influenced significantly after birth by environmental factors (Naffah, 1977).

The ridges and their characteristics as they appear on the fingers and palms are unique, permanent and remain unchanged throughout life; thus aiding in investigations of

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