Gender differentiation by finger ridge count among South Indian population.

The goal of this study is to determine the gender based on finger ridge count within a well-defined area. Rolled fingerprints were taken from 550 subjects (275 men and 275 women) belonging to South Indian population all within the age range of 18-65 years. Results show that women have a significantly higher ridge count than men. Application of Baye's theorem suggests that a fingerprint possessing ridge density <13 ridges/25 mm(2) is most likely to be of male origin. Likewise, a fingerprint having ridge count >14 ridges/25 mm(2) are most likely to be of female origin. These results are helpful as a tool for fingerprint experts as they can be used as a presumptive indicator of gender based on the degree of ridge density.