Distribution of Fingerprint Patterns Between the Bukusu and Kabras in Western Kenya

Abstract

Fingerprinting is one of the oldest and most reliable biometric tools taken as legitimate proof of identification of an individual. Gender, ethnicity, and familial relationship are used as tools of individual identity and their associations with fingerprint patterns have been demonstrated in previous studies but were inconsistent. The objective of this study was to describe the distribution of fingerprint patterns in a population in Western Kenya. The specific objectives were to determine the associations between fingerprint patterns and sub-patterns with fingers, gender, ethnic group, and sibling status in a population. In a cross-sectional observation study, a total of 240 study participants were recruited via a clustered sampling technique. Demographic information was collected using a questionnaire. Fingerprints were collected using fingerprint ink pad and classified according to Henry’s classification system. The association of fingerprint patterns with fingers, gender, ethnic groups and relationship status was determined using the chi-square test. Statistical significance was set at P≤0.05. The frequency of arch, composite, loop, and whorl patterns was comparable across the five fingers as well as between gender and ethnic groups for both the right and left arms (P>0.05). However, there was significant variation in the frequency of arch, composite, loop, and whorl fingerprint patterns for all the fingers between siblings and non-siblings (P<0.05). The ulnar loop was found to be the most occurring fingerprint sub-pattern across the five fingers, between the gender and ethnic group as well as between sibling and non-siblings. Plain whorl, radial loop, plain arch, tented arch, central pocket whorl, double whorl, loop arch composite and whorl arch composite followed respectively. There is similarity in fingerprint patterns across the fingers as well as between gender and ethnic groups but not siblings andnon-siblings between the Bukusu and the Kabras western Kenya. Therefore, fingerprint patterns may not be used to discriminate fingers, gender, and ethnic groups but can be used as a tool to distinguish between siblings and non-siblings in the population.