Publication:

Estimation of sex from dimensions of hand prints in North Indian Haryanvi adolescent population

Background Studies have established racial identification, sexual dimorphism, height and age estimation from hand and hand print dimensions for forensic applications. The present investigation was conducted to study the sex differences in hand print dimensions among North Indian Haryanvi adolescent population.

Methods The study was carried out in the department of anatomy at MM institute of medical science and research, Mullana, Ambala (Haryana), India. Data for the study were obtained from 400 Haryanvi adults (200 males and 200 females) aged between 21-25 years randomly selected from population of Haryana India. Diseased and/or disabled hands were excluded from the study. Hand print length (HPL), hand print breadth (HPB) and palm print length (PPL) were measured using sliding Vernier calipers.

Results Hand print index (HPI) was calculated using formula following standard protocols. Statistical analysis of the obtained data was done in relation with gender and side. The dimensions of both hands print showed significant relation with sexual dimorphism.

Conclusions The results of our study may be useful to identify sex in medico-legal investigations for the population of this specific area.