Relationship of orbital dimensions and facial angles with thumbprints ridge count among hausa ethnic group of Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Higher level of uniqueness exhibited by fingerprints and face across different individuals, sex, and population may suggest that there could be some mechanisms that control the two simultaneously. Objectives: The objectives of the study were to determine the correlation between thumbprint ridge counts with facial distances and angles and to predict the facial distances and angles from thumbprints ridge counts among Hausa Ethnic Group. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study. The study population comprises 457 participants. The ridged count was determined from ulnar, radial, and proximal areas of the thumbs. The facial distances and angles were measured from two-dimensional images. Pearson's correlation and stepwise multiple regression analyses were used for relationship and prediction, respectively. Results: It was observed that in males, a significant negative correlation was observed between left orbital height and radial ridge counts. The right and left proximal ridge counts were found to correlate negatively with interocular distances and left orbital width, respectively. The nasion angle significantly correlated negatively with right ulnar ridge counts and proximal ridge counts, whereas the left proximal ridge count correlated positively with proximal ridge counts. In females, only the right and left ulnar ridge counts correlated negatively and positively with nasomental angle and right orbital width, respectively. Facial angles were predicted from ulnar ridge counts in both sexes. In females, the left ulnar ridge count predicts the right orbital height and width. The left and right orbital heights were best predicted by left proximal ridge count. Conclusion: The thumbprint ridge count correlates with facial distances and angles. Different types of facial dimensions and angles can be predicted from thumbprint ridge counts.