The study of dermatoglyphic pattern of thumb and its correlation with academic performance of medical students

Abstract

Background: Dermatoglyphics is the study of fingerprint pattern which is unique for every individual and remains unchanged after birth. This has been used in criminology for decades together. In the recent past, its role in screening various medical conditions is established. The dermatoglyphic had a well-established correlation with the cognitive ability which can be used as a predictor of academic potential. Aim and Objectives: This study was conducted to study the dermatoglyphic pattern of thumb and its correlation with the academic performance of medical students. Material and Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted on 200 (94 male and 106 female) undergraduate medical students. The fingerprint patterns were obtained by the standard ink method. Results: In the present study the commonest pattern of fingerprint in both right and left thumbs in male and female students was whorl. The most remarkable finding was the absence of an ulnar loop with a central pocket in the left thumb. In the present study correlation of the fingerprint pattern of the thumb to the marks scored in National Eligibility Cum Entrance Test (NEET) showed that the higher academic performers had more frequency of whorl and composites whereas low performers had a high frequency of loops and arches in the thumb. However the same findings were not reflected in performance in first-year university examination and no correlation could be substantiated with marks scored in Anatomy, Physiology, and Biochemistry in the preliminary examination. Conclusion: Though present study is small scale involving a single institution, it indicates definite correlation of fingerprint pattern of thumb with academic performance of medical students which can be used as predictor of low performers so as to initiate necessary measures.

Keywords

• predictor
• academic potential
• cognitive ability
• screening