The
History of Dermatoglyphics
In Ancient
China finger prints were found on clay seals..
In 1684,,
Dr.. Nehemiah Grew (1641-1712) presented Finger Prints,, Palms and Soles “An
Introduction To Dermatoglyphics” to the Royal Society
In 1685,,
Dr.. Bidloo published an anatomical atlas,, Anatomia Humani Corporis,, with
illustrations showing the human figure both in living attitudes and as
dissected cadavers
In 1686,,
Dr.. Marcello Malphigi (1628-1694) noted in his treatise; ridges,, spirals and
loops in fingerprints
In 1788,,
J.. C.. Mayer was the first to write out basic tenets of fingerprint analysis
and theorized that fingerprints were unique
In 1823,,
Dr.. Jan Purkinje classified the papillary lines on the fingertips into nine
types: arch,, tented arch,, ulna loop,, radial loop,, peacock’s eye/compound,,
spiral whorl,, elliptical whorl,, circular whorl,, and double loop/composite..
In 1823,,
Joannes Evangelista Purkinji found that the patterns on one’s finger tips and
the ridges and lines on one’s prints begin to form at around the thirteenth
week in the womb..
In 1832,,
Dr.. Charles Bell (1774-1842) was one of the first physicians to combine the
scientific study of neuro - anatomy with clinical practice.. He published The
Hand: Its Mechanism and Vital Endowments as Evincing Design..
In 1893,, Dr.. Francis Galton published his book,, “Fingerprints”,, establishing the
individuality and permanence of fingerprints.. The book included the first
classification system for fingerprints: Arch,, Loop and Whorl..
In 1897,, Harris
Hawthorne Wilder was the first American to study Dermatoglyphics.. He invented
the Main Line Index,, studied thenar hypothenar eminencies,, zones II,, III,, IV..