Sex Determination Using Discriminant Function Analysis of Handprint Variables Amongst Adults of Cross River State, Nigeria

Forensic investigation is very crucial towards attaining a crime free society and identification of humans in disaster related issues. This aimed at determining sex from handprints dimensions. The handprint were taken from 232 subjects (102 males and 130 females) aged between 18-45 years, whose parents are of Cross River State, void of congenital or acquired handprint deformities. Handprint collection was taken by smearing indelible ink on a constructed ink pad and the hand of the participant was placed gently against the inkpad and then place with a little pressure on the A4 sized white paper to make outline of handprint the paper was allowed to dry after which anatomical landmarks were drawn using HB pencil followed by measurement using a meter rule calibrated in centimeters. This data was analysed using SPPSS software version 21 Chicago incorporated. Result of independent sample t-test for sexual dimorphism for measured left hand and right hand prints dimensions of male and female of Cross River State are statistically significant different (P<0.05). This data reveals that male and female values are sexually dimorphic (P<0.05) in right and left total hand print dimensions measured, as greater values are consistently observed in the males than females. The result of discriminant function test record 1.267 and -0.994 as male and female cut off of group centroids function of prediction differs. This variation in function group centroids value shows that handprints can predict sex accurately. More so the hand print dimension of male is significantly higher (p<0.05) than female. Therefore, data from this research will be of great importance in forensic practice in aspect of human identification by engaging handprint dimension associated with sex differentiation in human individualization.

Key Words: Forensic Science, Discriminant Function Analysis, Handprints Dimensions