Abstract

Background: Establishment of sex is an important aspect of forensic medicine. Previously conducted studies have shown that differences exist between male and female index and ring finger ratios. Aim: The purpose of the present study is to evaluate sexual dimorphism of index and ring finger in adolescents in the western part of the Indian population. Material and Method: The study was carried out on a cross sectional sample of 103 adolescents; out of which 50 of the respondents were males and the remaining 53 were females. Data on age, sex, and handedness was collected through a structured paper questionnaire as primary data collection and the anthropometric measurements as secondary data collection. Result: The result of the present study shows that the mean age of male population is 13.74 years while the mean age of female population is 14.91 years. Statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) between index and ring finger ratios in male and female are observed. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the ratio of less than 0.99 suggests male sex while a ratio of 0.99 or more suggests female sex. The findings of present study can be utilized to establish sex especially in circumstances where body was mutilated or only remains were brought or in cases of mass disaster.

• 1.   Dahodwala T M, Bardale R. Determination of sex from index and ring finger ratio. Indian J Forensic Med Pathol 2013; 6:51-55.
• 2.   Shelake M, Ninal N, Bardale R, Sonar V. Determination of sex from index and ring finger ratios in neonates. J Indian Acad Forensic Med 2015; 37:378-80.
• 3.   Kanchan T, Kumar GP, Menezes RG, Rastogi P, Rao PP, Menon A, et al.Sexual dimorphism of the index to ring finger ratio in South Indian adolescents. J Forensic Leg Med. 2010; 17:243-6.
• 4.   Kanchan T, Kumar GP. Index and ring finger ratio— a morphologic sex determinant in South-Indian children. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2010; 6:255-60.
• 5.   Krishan K, Kanchan T, Asha N, Kaur S, Chatterjee PM, Singh B. Estimation of sex from index and ring finger in a North Indian population. J Forensic Leg Med 2013; 20:471-9.
• 6.   Sen J, Kanchan T, Ghosh A, Mondal N, Krishan K. Estimation of Sex From Index and Ring Finger Lengths in An Indigenous Population of Eastern India. J Clin Diagn Res 2015; 9(11):HC01-5. doi: 10.7860/JCDR/2015/14940.6846. Epub 2015 Nov 1.
• 7.   Galis F, Ten Broek CM, Van Dongen S, Wijnaendts LC. Sexual dimorphism in the prenatal digit ratio (2D:4D). Arch Sex Behav. 2010; 39:57-62.
• 8.   Mularczyk M, Ziêtek-Czeszak A, Ziêtek Z. Assessment of sexual dimorphism of finger length ratio (2D:4D) Ann Acad Med Stetin. 2014; 60(1):47- 51.
• 9.   Zheng Z, Cohn MJ. Developmental basis of sexually dimorphic digit ratios.Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Sep 27; 108(39):16289-94.