Analyzing Sexual Dimorphism through the Central Curved Portion of Palm Print Arches

Abstract

Palm arch analysis of the middle portion of the palm print has been an unexplored area for forensic applications like sex determination and stature estimation. Unlike palm, a large number of studies have been focused on flat feet with a very low arch or no arch on one or both feet and their utility in forensic and anthropological analysis. Like flat feet, the palms of hands show an arch at the central portion with high or low arch density. This study aims to analyse the arch of palm prints at the central portion and its correlation with gender, occupation and physical activity of the person. No research has been done so far to find such forensic relevance of the arch observed in palm prints. Palm prints of 200 right-handed volunteers (100 males and 100 females) between the age group 18-45 years were collected for the study. Ink prints were taken from both hands by ink and roller technique on plain A4 sheets. The female palm curve area was found to be larger than the male for both hands. Large curve regions of women’s palms differ from men's, possibly due to more involvement of males in physical activities and tenderness of skin due to gym and sports. The Chi-Square method was applied at respective degrees of freedom, giving significant results at 95% of left and right hands. Gender identification can be done by palm arching property. Inter-spatial distance between thenar, hypothenar and inter-digital regions in latent and patent prints can be useful to determine the gender and physical activities of a person.

Keywords

• palm prints
• gender identification
• palm arch
• arch