Potential of new dermatoglyphic methods for the examination of external characteristics of a person in criminalistics

The investigation of crime is connected with criminal, criminal procedural, criminological and criminalistic study of a person [1. P. 193194]. Mental, psychological and psychophysiological characteristics of a person constitute essential inner conditions for the commission of socially dangerous acts [2. P. 57-58]. The problems of studying both properties and external characteristics of a person are currently central in the context of their relationship with the palm surface design of hands. Thus, dermatoglyphics is one of the most effective identification methods. It enables to examine the morphological characteristics of epidermis within the framework of consistent and structural approaches. This broadens the range of possibilities for identification, classification and diagnostic research of dermatoglyphs in order to determine both psychological and physiological features which influence the person's behavior. These features are necessary for the identification and study of the criminal personality. The research into dermatoglyphic methods is characterized by a new complex approach to the examination of dermatoglyphs of palm skin design of hands which can be considered as an integral object having a unified information field [3. P. 42-43]. Thus, the dermatoglyphic methods based on steady ties between ridge patterns and external characteristics of a person (sex, age, height etc.) are used for the criminalistic examination of the person's appearance [4. P. 44-45; 5. P. 20-22]. Various anatomical and physiological characteristics of a person, obtained on the basis of the examination of ridge patterns can be supplemented and widened [6. P.122-123; 7. P. 127-131]. To establish the relationship between finger and palm dermatoglyphics and external characteristics of a person we analyzed the tables of contingence using x2-criterion of Pearson. The relationship was proved to be statistically significant under the level of statistical significance equal to p < 0.05. The relationship between finger and palm dermatoglyphics and physiognomic characteristics of a person was established taking into account the sexual dimorphism. The above analysis enabled us to establish the existence of ties and their extent depending on the type of design and its place. The established relationship between the dermatoglyphic characteristics of hands and physiognomic indicators of a person form the basis for the construction of prognostic models. Thus, the results of the examination of finger and palm dermatoglyphics together with external characteristics of a person can be useful for the solution of identification and other expert tasks. Further development of dermatoglyphic methods and elaboration of new recommendations for experts and those who are involved in criminal prosecution are impossible without further generalization of empirical materials [10. P. 38]. To use the obtained results, it is necessary to take into account the need for the complex approach to the examination of dermatoglyphs on the basis of the revealed correlations.

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