Comparative and Morphometric Study of Frictional Ridge Pattern of the Fingers and Toes Print of Clubfoot Patients in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Background: Fingerprint is one of the most distinctive characteristics of the human body as each person’s fingerprints are unique. Objective: This study was aimed at investigating the comparative and morphometric study of the friction ridge patterns of the fingers and toe prints of clubfoot patients in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. Methods: Fingerprints and toe prints from 40 clubfoot patients were collected for this study using the ink method. The different print patterns were analyzed and results were presented in frequencies and percentages. Results: Whorls appeared most frequently in both right and left hand (46.1%, 46.3%), ulna loop had (35%, 26.1%), Radial loop (12.2%, 17.8%), Arch (6.7%, 9.4%), plain Arch (2.2%, 2.2%), tented Arch (1.1%, 1.7%) and loop (0.6%) of fingerprint pattern. For the toe print pattern, whorls appeared most frequently on both right and left (36.7%, 46.1%), loop had (40.6%, 38.9%), Arch (21.7%, 15%), and plain Arch (1.1%). Chi-square analysis revealed significant differences in the ridge pattern of the fingers and toe prints of clubfoot patients. The right and left fingerprint patterns varied significantly amongst the fingers of clubfoot patients, while the right toe print pattern has no statistical association with toe print patterns of clubfoot patients, but the left toe print pattern varied significantly amongst the toes of clubfoot patients. Additionally, the morphometric analysis showed significant differences in the finger and toe ridge counts amongst various age groups in clubfoot patients. There was no statistically significant association of fingerprint ridge count amongst the various age groups in clubfoot patients, while the toe print ridge count of both right and left toe varied significantly amongst the various age groups in clubfoot patients. The measurement of lower limb height in clubfoot patients has no significant comparison between both legs. Conclusion: The friction ridge patterns of the fingers and toes of clubfoot patients (CTEV) are unique and hence can be used for medical and forensic purposes.