Content uploaded by Sergii Vladimirovich Kozlov
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Sergii Vladimirovich Kozlov on Aug 05, 2022
Content may be subject to copyright.
Судово-медична експертиза, 2022, №1 http://forensic.bsmu.edu.ua
58
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24061/2707-8728.1.2022.9
УДК: 340.65:[616-071.3+343.982.3
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS OF DERMATOGLYPHIC FEATURES
OF HUMAN HANDS AND FEET IN TERMS OF IDENTIFICATION
Dunaev O. V.1, Kozlov S. V. 2, Popadynets O. G.3
1Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine
2 Dnipro State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Dnipro, Ukraine
3 Ivano- Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano- Frankivsk, Ukraine
Summary. The article presents generalized data on the possibility of using dermatoglyphic
characteristics of a person in terms of the latest approaches to the identifi cation of an unknown per-
son. Morphological characteristics of papillary patterns of hands and feet, their topography and types
are given. Quantitative and qualitative features of dermatoglyphs are presented, which may be useful
in terms of factor features for the identifi cation of an unknown person. Data on the possibility of us-
ing artifi cial neural networks in forensic identifi cation examinations using dermatoglyphs are given.
Keywords: dermatoglyphics, identifi cation of the person.
Introduction. Human dermatoglyphic patterns are one of the main identifying features that
remain unchanged throughout life. However, there is scientifi c evidence that with age the comb pat-
tern loses clarity, the comb count decreases, the pattern deforms (changes in height, the appearance
of minutes, etc.), ie there is a problem of determining signs of aging dermatoglyphic parameters, as
evidenced by some theoretical fi ndings on this problem. [1,3,7]
The unique morphological structure of the papillary pattern, which is essentially a genetically
determined manifestation of the phenotype, as well as the fact that dermatoglyphic parameters consist
of structural elements easily accessible to quantitative and qualitative study, determine a wide range
of dermatoglyphics in practical medicine. [4,6,8]
On the distal phalanges of the fi ngers, the palmar surface of the hands and the plantar surface of
the foot are the papillae of the dermis, which form a dermatoglyphic pattern. The study of the above
papillary, as well as fl exor patterns, is a dermatoglyph. The study of patterns on the distal phalanges
of the fi ngers is called fi ngerprinting.
There are three main types of simple patterns on the distal phalanges of the fi ngers and toes, as
well as on the toe pads of the hands and feet: arc (A), ulnar loop (fi bular) (Lu, Lf) or radial (tibial)
(Lb, Lt) and curl (W) (fi g. 1).
Fig. 1. Types of skin patterns: a – arc, b – radial loop (tibial), c – ulnar loop (fi bular), d – curl.
Arcs can vary in width (wide, medium, narrow) and height (high, medium, low). Determination
of the width and height of the arc is based on the calculation of the ratio of its largest dimensions in
the vertical and horizontal planes.
Forensic-medical examination, 2022, №1 http://forensic.bsmu.edu.ua
59
Loops can be high, medium and low, as well as wide, medium and narrow, which is determined
by the ratio of the width of the base of the loop and the vertical lowered through its top to the hori-
zontal line of its base.
Curls can be simple or complex (to simplify calculations, we’ve combined them), high, medi-
um, and low, as well as wide, medium, and narrow, determined by the ratio of their largest vertical
and horizontal sizes through the center of the pattern.
All these fi gures form a central pattern, which is bordered by papillary lines that go in diff er-
ent directions from it. At the meeting points of line fl ows, deltas or triradii are formed, the number of
which is always greater than one (fi g. 2).
Fig. 2. Triradius (delta).
The human palm in the dermatoglyphic aspect contains the palm fi elds, under the fi nger triradii
and the main palm lines.
To simplify the method of studying the dermatoglyphic parameters of the palm, we determined
the palm angles atb, atc, atd, btc, btd, ctd on both hands using a graphic editor KOMPAS
–
5, and also
calculated delta and comb accounts of the palm, types of patterns on the toes (fi g. 3, 4).
Fig. 3. Scheme of measuring palm angles.
In the study of dermatoglyphs of the feet, the type of pattern on the toe pads, delta and comb
counts, the direction of papillary lines in the calcaneus (heel) area were determined (fi g. 4).
Thus, in addition to the type of pattern, its height, width, type of fl ow of lines, you can also de-
termine the relative indicators that indicate the density, frequency, ratio and prevalence of patterns:
- delta account and comb account (number of skin combs between the center of the edge of the pattern);
- furugati index (number of curls/number of loops×100);
Судово-медична експертиза, 2022, №1 http://forensic.bsmu.edu.ua
60
- denmeyer index (number of arcs/number of curls×100);
- fi eld index (number of arcs/number of loops×100) d;
- gapel index (number of curls on I-III fi ngers/0,5 number of curls on IV-V fi ngers).
Dermatoglyphic study of the hand and foot was performed according to the method proposed by
I. V. Paliychuk and L. E. Kovalchuk [2] in the modifi cation proposed by N. M. Kozan, V. D. Mishalov,
Yu. Z. Kotsyubynska (2017).
Fig. 4. Scheme of palm (a) and sole patterns (b): a: 1-13
–
palm fi elds; a, b, c, d
–
fi nger triradii, starting
from them the main palmar lines A, B, C, D; t
–
the main (axial) triradius of the palm; k
–
zones of palm patterns;
b: 1-14
–
sole fi elds; a, b, c, d, e
–
fi nger, Pr
–
lower additional triradii; I-V is the direction of the papillary lines
in the calcaneus (heel) area.
For dermatoglyphic examination of the palms and soles, we used macrophotographs of the entire palm
and the upper third of the plantar surface of the foot. The obtained data were transferred to a personal com-
puter, where with the help of graphic programs (drawing and design editor KOMPAS-GRAFIK 5) they were
processed, studying the qualitative and quantitative indicators of dermatoglyphs of hands and feet (fi g. 5).
a b
Fig. 5. Digital photographs of dermatoglyphs of hands (a) and feet (b).
Forensic-medical examination, 2022, №1 http://forensic.bsmu.edu.ua
61
Digital images allow you to get a clear image of the comb pattern of the distal phalanges of the
fi ngers, because when obtaining fi ngerprints in the traditional way possible pattern defects (fuzzy,
blurred, missing fragment), and when counting the number of combs and deltas, you can increase the
image folds of the palms, etc.
Currently, there is a wide range of diff erent software that can improve image quality. The most
common and powerful tool in digital image processing is the Adobe product package
–
Adobe Creative
Cloud. In our work we used Photoshop SS and Illustrator CC. These programs have a large number of
tools that can improve the image quality in a particular case, but usually for a satisfactory result it is
necessary to use several of them
–
increase (decrease) contrast, lighting, focusing, etc. These actions
usually have built-in functions in photo editors (fi g. 6).
Fig. 6. Material processing in Adobe Illustrator CC.
The purpose of improving image quality is to obtain reliable data for further statistical process-
ing. Researchers solve data processing problems in diff erent ways, but in most cases, this stage is re-
duced to fi lling the database (array) of data, its structuring and formalization with further processing
in programs for statistical analysis.
The dermatoglyphic method, as a source of initial identifi cation features, is a budget option for
rapid identifi cation of an unknown person. The proposed method can greatly facilitate and systematize
the work of a forensic expert in the identifi cation of an unknown person.
Dermatoglyphic examination of the skin relief is possible using many methods. For a long peri-
od in Ukraine, the most common method was the use of printing ink. It is characterized by simplicity
in practice, low cost of consumables and cost-eff ective. However, in addition to the advantages, this
method has a number of disadvantages: the inconvenience associated with contamination of the ex-
tremities with printing ink, the quality of the prints is not always satisfactory, which requires a repeat
procedure and entails additional time. There are also inconveniences associated with processing the
data obtained and creating electronic archives. To improve this method, the researchers proposed to
digitize the obtained fi ngerprints on paper using scanning.
Dermatoglyphics For Prediction (DFP) computer identifi cation program based on artifi cial neu-
ral networks. It does not require signifi cant budgetary costs of data acquisition, training of specialists
in its maintenance, and the construction of the neural network, its training and examination are short
in time. In the study, the reliability of the results ranged from 73 to 90 % (automatically calculated by
the software Dermatoglyphics For Prediction (DFP)), which is signifi cantly higher than previously
obtained results. [9]
Prospects for further research are beyond doubt, as the integrated use of all available iden-
tifi cation methods accelerates, reduces the cost and improves the quality of identifi cation forensic
examinations.
Судово-медична експертиза, 2022, №1 http://forensic.bsmu.edu.ua
62
Література
1. Вой ченко ВВ, Мішалов ВД, Мамедов ШМо, В’юн ВВ, Івашина ОХ. Комплексний підхід
при проведенні судово- медичної ідентифікації загиблих під час збройних конфліктів
та катастроф. Судово- медична експертиза. 2017;1:20-5.
2. Ковальчук ЛЄ, винахідник; Івано- Франківський національний медичний університет,
патентовласник. Спосіб отримання дерматогліфіки долонь правої та лівої рук. Патент
України № 40653. 2009 Кві 27.
3. Козань НМ. Діагностика загальних фенотипових ознак людини шляхом комплексного
дослідження дерматогліфічних особливостей кисті та стопи [дисертація]. Київ; 2018. 418 с.
4. Gunas VI. Modeling using discrimination analysis, priority of practically healthy men to northern
or other administrative- territorial regions of Ukraine on the basis of dermatoglyphic indicators
features. Світ медицини та біології. 2018;1(63):9-14. doi: 10.26724/2079-8334-2018-1-63-9-14
5. Mishalov VD, Gunas VI. Discriminating models of dermatoglyphic priority of practically
healthy men to southern or other administrative- territorial regions of Ukraine. Судово- медична
експертиза. 2018;1:17-21.
6. Mishalov VD, Gunas IV, Kryvda GF, Bachinsky VT, Voichenko VV. Actualy questions of forensic
medical dermatoglifi cs. Судово- медична експертиза. 2018;1:15-7.
7. Mishalov VD, Kryvda GF, Bachinskiy VT, Voichenko VV. History of development and up-to-
date tendency. Судово- медична експертиза. 2017;1:86-8.
8. Mishalov VD, Serebrennikova OA, Klimas LA, Gunas VI. Regional trends indicators fi nger
dermatoglyphics among modern Ukrainians. Biomedical and Biosocial Anthropology.
2018;30:5-12. doi: 10.31393/bba30-2018-01
9. Kotsyubynska Yu, Kozan N, Chadyuk V. «Classifi cation tree» for prediction ethnotherritirial
affi lation unknown person. In: The III-rd congress of legal medicine service from the Republic
of Moldova dedicated to the 70-th anniversary of the centre of legal medicine; 2021 Sep 30-Oct
2; Chisinau. Chisinau; 2021. p. 110-4.
References
1. Voichenko VV, Mishalov VD, Mamedov ShMo, V’iun VV, Ivashyna OKh. Kompleksnyi pidkhid
pry provedenni sudovo- medychnoi identyfi katsii zahyblykh pid chas zbroinykh konfl iktiv ta
katastrof [A comprehensive approach for the forensic identifi cation of victims during armed
confl icts and disasters]. Sudovo- medychna ekspertyza. 2017;1:20-5. (in Ukrainian)
2. Koval’chuk LIe, vynakhidnyk; Ivano- Frankivs’kyi natsional’nyi medychnyi universytet,
patentovlasnyk. Sposib otrymannia dermatohlifi ky dolon’ pravoi ta livoi ruk [The method of
obtaining dermatoglyphics of the palms of the right and left hands]. Patent Ukrainy № 40653.
2009 Kvi 27. (in Ukrainian)
3. Kozan’ NM. Diahnostyka zahal’nykh fenotypovykh oznak liudyny shliakhom kompleksnoho
doslidzhennia dermatohlifi chnykh osoblyvostei kysti ta stopy [Diagnosis of general human
phenotypic traits by a comprehensive study of dermatoglyphic features of the hand and foot]
[dysertatsiia]. Kyiv; 2018. 418 s. (in Ukrainian)
4. Gunas VI. Modeling using discrimination analysis, priority of practically healthy men to northern
or other administrative- territorial regions of Ukraine on the basis of dermatoglyphic indicators
features. Svit medytsyny ta biolohii. 2018;1(63):9-14. doi: 10.26724/2079-8334-2018-1-63-9-14
5. Mishalov VD, Gunas VI. Discriminating models of dermatoglyphic priority of practically
healthy men to southern or other administrative- territorial regions of Ukraine. Sudovo- medychna
ekspertyza. 2018;1:17-21.
6. Mishalov VD, Gunas IV, Kryvda GF, Bachinsky VT, Voichenko VV. Actualy questions of forensic
medical dermatoglifi cs. Sudovo- medychna ekspertyza. 2018;1:15-7.
Forensic-medical examination, 2022, №1 http://forensic.bsmu.edu.ua
63
7. Mishalov VD, Kryvda GF, Bachinskiy VT, Voichenko VV. History of development and up-to-
date tendency. Sudovo- medychna ekspertyza. 2017;1:86-8.
8. Mishalov VD, Serebrennikova OA, Klimas LA, Gunas VI. Regional trends indicators fi nger
dermatoglyphics among modern Ukrainians. Biomedical and Biosocial Anthropology.
2018;30:5-12. doi: 10.31393/bba30-2018-01
9. Kotsyubynska Yu, Kozan N, Chadyuk V. «Classifi cation tree» for prediction ethnotherritirial
affi lation unknown person. In: The III-rd congress of legal medicine service from the Republic
of Moldova dedicated to the 70-th anniversary of the centre of legal medicine; 2021 Sep 30-Oct
2; Chisinau. Chisinau; 2021. p. 110-4.
ЗАГАЛЬНА ХАРАКТЕРИСТИКА ДЕРМАТОГЛІФІЧНИХ ОЗНАК РУК
І НІГ ЛЮДИНИ В АСПЕКТІ ПИТАННЯ ІДЕНТИФІКАЦІЇ ОСОБИ
Дунаєв О. В.1, Козлов С. В.2, Попадинець О. Г.3
1 Харківський національний медичний університет, м. Харків, Україна
2Дніпровський державний медичний університет МОЗ України, м. Дніпро, Україна
3Івано- Франківський національний медичний університет, м. Івано- Франківськ, Україна
Резюме. У статті представлені узагальнені дані стосовно можливості використання дер-
матогліфічних характеристик людини в плані новітніх підходів до ідентифікації невідомої
особи. Подані морфологічні характеристики папілярних візерунків рук і ніг, їхні топографія
та види. Представлені кількісні й якісні ознаки дерматогліфів, що можуть бути корисними в пла-
ні факторних ознак для ідентифікації невідомої особи. Надані дані щодо можливості застосу-
вання штучних нейронних мереж при проведенні судово- медичних ідентифікаційних експертиз
з використанням дерматогліфів.
Ключові слова: дерматогліфіка, ідентифікація особи.
Відомості про авторів:
Дунаєв О. В.
–
доктор медичних наук, професор кафедри судової медицини, медичного пра-
вознавства ім. засл. проф. М. С. Бокаріуса Харківського національного медичного університету,
м. Харків, Україна, e-mail: dunaev1969@ukr.net ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0459-9041
Козлов С. В.
–
доктор медичних наук, професор кафедри патологічної анатомії і судової
медицини Дніпровського державного медичного університету МОЗ України, м Дніпро, Україна,
e-mail: tanatholog@i.ua, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7619-4302
Попадинець О. Г.
–
доктор медичних наук, професор, завідувач кафедри анатомії люди-
ни Івано- Франківського національного медичного університету, м. Івано- Франківськ, Україна,
e-mail: anatomy@ifnmu.edu.ua, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2093-5984
Information about authors:
Dunaev O. V.
–
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Forensic Medicine,
Medical Law named after prof. M. S. Bokarius, Kharkiv National Medical University, Kharkiv, Ukraine,
e-mail: dunaev1969@ukr.net ORCID ID: 0000-0003-0459-9041
Kozlov S. V.
–
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Pathological Anatomy
and Forensic Medicine of the Dnipro State Medical University of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine,
Dnipro, Ukraine, e-mail: tanatholog@i.ua, ORCID ID: 0000-0002-7619-4302
Popadynets O. G.
–
Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Head of the Department of Human Anatomy,
Ivano- Frankivsk National Medical University, Ivano- Frankivsk, Ukraine, e-mail: anatomy@ifnmu.edu.ua,
ORCID ID: 0000-0002-2093-5984
