Unique and Persistent Nature of Digital Dermatoglyphic Traits: Case study on the Thumbs and Index Fingers of Departmental Cadavers, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria

Dermatoglyphic studied epidermal configurations on the fingers and palms of the hands; the toes and the soles of the feet. Once these skin ridges are formed in the mother's womb, remain persistent until decomposition in the tomb. This study therefore, aimed at analyzing the qualitative dermatoglyphic characteristics in cadaveric specimens in the Department of Anatomy to estimate the persistent character of the finger prints in cadaveric specimen and compare them with the previously reported observations in live-ssubjects. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on Sixty (60) Cadaveric Specimens (Ten (10) fetuses and Fifty (50) Adult Cadavers). Consents were obtained from the Heads of Department and Ethical approval was obtained from the University Ethical Committee. The cadaveric digital skin was dissected out and analyzed under a magnification of x50 using a dissecting microscope. Arches, Ulnar Loops, Radial Loops, Whorls and Twinned Loops are among the digital patterns observed on the Two Hundred and Forty (240) Cadaveric Digits; Thumbs (n=120) and Index Fingers (n=120) and the dermatoglyphics details of each of the patterns were maintained similar to the live subjects and were fully described. In view of the similarities between these cadaveric dermatoglyphs and those of the live subjects in previous studies; great importance must be attached to the preservation, growth and development of human resources. The observations in this study will be an eye-opener to the Governments in Nigeria to make them work harder on security of lives and the safety on the roads, since most of the Cadavers were unclaimed accident victims and armed condemned criminals.

Key Words: Dermatoglyphics, Descriptive Topography, Cadaveric Specimens, Wasted Human resources