FINGERPRINT PATTERNS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN IDENTIFYING BAZE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (CASE STUDY AT BAZE UNIVERSITY)

ABSTRACT

 

The immense potential of fingerprints as an effective method of identification, has been in use over years in different fields such as forensic and medical science and criminology etc. However, Dactylography is used in Baze University as a means of tracking down student’s attendance, examination, and records. Hence, this study investigated the most prevalent fingerprint pattern among Baze University student. Two hundred (200) fingerprints comprising of one hundred (100 male) and one hundred (100 females) students were collected from the information technology (IT) unit of Baze University with  approval from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. All the thumbprints were classified into loop, whorl, and arches. All data are presented in percentages, analyzed by Pearson chi-square, P <0.05

Findings from this study shows the percentages of different fingerprint as follows: loop (100%), whorl (42%), arched (40%) and Unidentified (18%). This indicates that the loop is significantly higher compared to whorl and arch, at P<0.05. However, the percentage of whorl is 22% in females compared to 20% in males. Likewise, the arches were 18 % in female and 22% in male.

Findings from this study suggested the prevalence of loop fingerprinting among the students

Of  Baze University, followed by whorl and arches.

 

 

 

CHAPTER ONE

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Fingerprints serve as a means of personal identification. Identification can be defined as the determination of the individuality of a person. The fingerprint system of identification is also called as Dactylography/Dermatoglyphics/Galton system/Henry- Galton system.  Fingerprints provide the most powerful means of personal identification available to police and courts (Kaushal N and Kaushal P, 2011).

How this became such a powerful tool, arose from the realization that the patterns of ridge skin and their details are unique, immutable, universal, and easy to classify, and leave marks on any object handled with bare hands. The understanding of the value of fingerprints led to research in detection techniques and operational and strategic uses for fingerprints. Fingerprints form definite patterns that appear to have a general resemblance in shape and design (Perkins and Attwood, 1996).

Since fingerprints are simple to identify and sort, they have becomon a common biometric. They are also accessible. friction ridges are a series of ridges that make up a fingerprint. Fingerprints ridges shaped patterns called arches, loops, and whorls (Baird, 1964).

The tiny ridges and valley patterns on the palmar surface of each finger are known as fingerprint. They develop as a result of  pressure on a baby’s small, growing fingers while still  in the womb. Fingerprints afford an infallible means of personal identification because the ridge arrangement on every finger of every human being is unique and does not alter with growth or age.  A technique of fingerprinting is known as DACTYLOGRAPHY. This is also the study of forensic identification of an individual which is DACTYLOSCOPY

 

 

 

1.1.  BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

 

Fingerprinting

Baze University is an educational institution established in 2011 by Ahmed baba Datti Yusuf. One important technology the university use in the identification of individuals is called DACTYLOGRAPHY.  Biometric is unique among forensic science. It is one of the reliable sources, analysis and classification means of identifying individuals. One of the fastest means of identification is that of DACTYLOGRAPHY (fingerprint). It is the positive, potent, and pertinent means of personal identification through the configuration characteristics marking found on the palmar surface. Dactylographic identification is a very important concept because each print identifies a person, it plays a role in criminology which is the study of various crimes. Since the turn of the century, fingerprints have been used as a very effective means of establishing the identity of the individual.

 

 

 

• STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

Dactylography is considered one of the most suitable parameters for population variability studies and it is very important in forensic science. Fingerprints are dermal ridge patterns that are determined genetically by the interaction of several genes, and thus, they are characteristic features of a person. It differs from one person to another. Galton in his studies classified different fingerprint patterns as loops, whorls, and arches (Galton, 1892).

Dermatoglyphics has found application in establishing ethnic differences (Harlich, 2002). Dactylography has been employed in Baze University to identify individuals because it is a mode of attendance for students generally during exams and lectures. Although there is no information on the pattern that is prevalent among the Baze student populations. Hence, this study investigates the prevalent fingerprint pattern among the Baze student population.

 

1.3.                AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

 

1.3.1.         AIM OF STUDY

The study aims to determine Fingerprint patterns and their Application identifying Baze University students. Assessment of the types of thumbprints application in determinating Baze Univerity students.

 

 

 

 

• OBJECTIVE OF STUDY

The specific objectives of the study are to determine among the individuals population

1. Determination of fingerprint patterns among Baze University students.
2. Determine the predominant fingerprint patterns among Baze University students’ application thumbprints of individuals.
3. To determine the difference in pattern among Male and Female.
4. To elucidate the use of fingerprint patterns in Baze University.

1.4.                SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS OF STUDY

 

Dactylography provides faster means of identifying individuals. It also give accurate identification of individuals. The population is limited to the right Thumbprints of two hundred (200) Baze University Students. Also, this study does not investigate the further classification of loop, whorl, and arches that exist in the fingerprints.

 

1.5.  SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY

 

The development of dactylography is a great tool that is used by security personnel to identify individuals for security purposes, it can be used by the administrative staff to track down the individual and collective records and decision making in terms of problem-solving.

FINGERPRINT PATTERNS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN IDENTIFYING BAZE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS (CASE STUDY AT BAZE UNIVERSITY)