Definition

1. Noun:
   • The scientific study of the patterns of ridges on the skin of the fingertips, palms, toes, and soles: Dermatoglyphics is the branch of science concerned with the classification and analysis of these unique epidermal patterns.
   • The patterns of ridges on the skin of the fingertips, palms, toes, and soles themselves: The word can also refer to the actual configurations, such as whorls, loops, and arches, that are studied.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The forensic expert used dermatoglyphics to identify the suspect from a latent print.
  • Dermatoglyphics can reveal certain congenital conditions, as some patterns are associated with genetic disorders.

Advanced Usage

• In genetics and anthropology: Dermatoglyphics is used as a tool for population studies and to investigate hereditary traits.
  • The research paper compared the dermatoglyphics of two isolated tribes.

Variants and Related Words

• Dermatoglyphic (adj): Pertaining to dermatoglyphics.
  • The dermatoglyphic evidence was crucial to the case.

Synonyms

• Fingerprint analysis (specifically for the study aspect, though this is a narrower term).
• Ridge pattern analysis.

Noun

1. the study of the whorls and loops and arches in the fingertips and on the palms of the hand and the soles of the feet
   • some criminologists specialize in dermatoglyphics