History of Dermatoglyphics& Multiple Intelligence

The study of ridged skin on fingers, palms, soles and toes is termed as Dermatoglyphics. Etymologically this term dermatoglyphics comes from two Greek words (Derm = Skin and glyphe = carving). It gives the impression that something has been mould out of the skin (Kumbnani, 2007 ; Kiran et al., 2010). The term Dermatoglyphics was coined by Dr. Harold Cummins in 1926, the father of American fingerprint analysis. It has been accepted and approved internationally. For the first time Cummins (1936, 1939) demonstrated the frequencies of various dermal ridge patterns on fingers of Downs syndrome patients. Workman , 1939 analysed Downs syndrome and his observations agreed with those of Cummins (1936, 1939).

The ridges and creases on the palms, fingers, soles and toes have a great significance in determining the characteristics of human beings because of their permanency, variability and unchangeability. Traditionally, dermatoglyphics has been regarded by physical anthropologists and population geneticists as a useful tool in the analysis of the relationship in human populations. With the increasing developments in human genetics, dermal pattern indices together with clinical features are being currently employed for the diagnosis of various inherited syndromes. However, recognition of the role of dermatoglyphics in medicine and its correlation with heritable disease is comparatively recent. 

Dermatoglyphics, as a scientific tool, came into use only towards the end of the 19th century. Dermatoglyphic traits are polygenitically regulated and are non – adaptive. It has distinct methodological advantages over anthropometry and serology.

Earlier scientific descriptions were given by Grew,1684 ; Bidloo, 1685 and Malphighi, 1686. During the 18th century several anatomical reports were published some of them are Hinze, 1747 ; Mayer, 1788. A basic principle of finger print identification was given by Mayer, 1788, in the dermatoglyphic field. The work of Francis Galton, 1892, given appears to the fundamental finger-print studies concerning with morphology, classification, inheritance and variation. 

Dermatoglyphics got the attention of medical researchers, when it was found that many patients with chromosomal aberrations had unusual ridge formations. For the first time Cummins (1936, 1939) demonstrated the frequencies of various dermal ridge patterns on fingers of Downs syndrome patients. Workman , 1939 analyzed Down syndrome and his observations agreed with those of Cummins (1936, 1939). Turpin and Casper, 1945 confirmed these findings on a French series of Downs cases and compared with European and American normal with some differences.