Dermatoglyphics in Schizophrenia

This paper reviews and reports on the frequencies of qualitative dermatoglyphic characters in schizophrenia. Dermatoglyphics is the name given by Cummins and Midlo (1943) to the study of the ridged skin found on the fingers, palms and soles. The biological value of dermatoglyphic investigation lies in the morphological constancy, from the time of formation until death, of the dermal ridge arrangements. The dermal ridges are fully formed by the fourteenth week of foetal development, therefore only genetic and prenatal environmental factors can influence ridge formation.