Chronological History of Dermatoglyphics

Definition of Dermatoglyphics:

Dermatoglyphics is the study of epidermal ridge pattern and lines (fingerprints) on the skin of the fingers. Dermatoglyphics is a Greek word. Derma means skin, Gly means curve and Phics means image.

Fingerprints are formed as the brain develops in the womb during 13th to 21st trimester during pregnancy. It is also observed that the spastic child or the children with cerebral palsy, or drown syndrome doesn’t have fingerprints or broken fingerprints as they have no brain or have damaged brain.

1684

Dr. Nehemiah Grew presented an introduction to Dermatoglyphics on Fingerprints, Palms & Soles to the Royal Society of London.

1686

Dr. Marcello Malphigi noted in his theses “Ridges”, “Spiral”, “Loop” in Fingerprints.

1788

JohaanChristoph Andreas Mayer was the first to mention that“Fingerprints are unique”.

1823

Joannes Evangelista Purkinjifound that the patterns on one’s fingerprints begin to form at the thirteenth week in the womb. Dr. Purkinji also classified the fingerprints into nine types.

1832

Dr. Charles Bell was one of the first physicians to combine the scientific study of Neuroanatomy with clinical practice. He published – “The hand : It’s mechanism and Vital Endowments as Evincing Design” .

1892

Dr. Francis Galton published his book “Fingerprints”, establishing the individuality and permanence of fingerprints. The book included the first classification system for fingerprints.

1920

Based on Dermatoglyphicsconcept,Dr. William M Marston published his great DISC Theory, which is still practiced around the world.

1926

Dr. Harold Cummins & Charles Midlo Coinedthe term “Dermatoglyphics”.

1936

Dr.Harold Cummins & Dr. Charles MidloMidloresearched on the embryogenesis of skin ridge patterns, and established that the fingerprint patterns actually develop in the womb and fully formed by 21st week during pregnancy.

1943

Dr. Harold Cummins & Dr. Charles Midlo Midlostudied all the aspects offingerprint analysis, from Anthropology to Genetics and Embryology. In 1943 Dr. Harold Cummins published a book “Fingerprints, Palms and Soles”, a bible in the field of Dermatoglyphics.

1950

Dr. Wilder Graves Penfieldan American-Canadian Neurosurgeon and researcher showed in his research that-functions of the various regions of the brain are different. Dr. Penfield mapped the human brain and showed which part of the brain are strongly associated with function - such as different senses, different body movements, speech etc. He also established the functional connection between fingerprints and various locations of human brain. Dr.Penfield also discovered which areas of the brain produce certain thoughts, and how memories are stored in the brain.

1968

Dr. Sarah Halt showed in her research -“Genetics of Dermal Ridges”–that brain and fingerprint patterns are deeply linked.

1969

John J. Mulvihill (MD) & David W Smith (MD) published “The Genesis of Dermatoglyphics” that provides the most up to date version of how fingerprints form.

1972 & 1976

Using the Dermatoglyphics theory, USSR, the former Soviet Union,selected the most effective athletes for each sport according to their genetic traits for the Olympic Games, and won 50 gold medals in 1972, and 125 gold medals in 1976. Thus proved a part of the Dermatoglyphics theory.

1980

China carry out researching work of human potential, Intelligence, and talents in Dermatoglyphics and human genome perspective.

1981

Roger Walcott Sperry an American Neuropsychologist, Neurobiologist discovered that human brain has specialized functions on the right and the left brain, and the two sides can operate almost independently. He was honoured with Nobel Prize in 1981 for this great work.

1983

The great scientist of Harvard University, Dr. Haward Gardner , published his great research “The Theory of Multiple Intelligence”, which has been accepted by all the scientists of the world. He published his theory in a book – The frame of the mind , which is a best seller and is recommended as a text book around the world. The book has been published in 27 languages, and 20 most renowned Universities of the world honoured him with their degrees for his great work.

1985

Dr. Chen Yi Mou, scientist of Harvard University, researched Dermatoglyphics based on multiple intelligence theory of Dr Haward Gardner. He applied Dermatoglyphics to educational fields and brain physiology.

1986

Dr. Rita Levi Moltancini& Dr. Stanley Cohen , got Nobel Prize as they proved that fingerprint and brain growth happening at the same time during 13th to 21st trimester during pregnancy.

1987-1993

FitzHerbert, The significant figure for the scholastic research for skin grains, FitzHerbert published over 300 thesis on the relationship of Dermatoglyphics, Anthropology, Anatomy and Medical.

2000

Dr. Stowens, Chief of Pathology at St.Lukes Hospital in Newyork, claims to be able to diagnose schizophrenia and leukemia with up to a 90%` accuracy.

2004

International Behavioral & Medical Biometrics Society (IBMBS) published over 7000 report and theses. Nowadays the U.S., Japan, China, Taiwan apply Dermatoglyphics to educational fields, expecting to improve teaching qualities and raising learning efficiency by knowing various Learning Styles.