Abhik Ghosh

Sex differences in fingerprint ridge density – Causes and further observations

Dear Sir Each individual possesses a unique set of minute raised ridges on volar pads called ‘friction ridge skin’. These clear and apparent unique outlines of the ridges are called fingerprints. Fingerprints are highly individualistic and forms the basis for personal identification in forensic examinations. Recent studies have reported that females have a significantly higher ridge density than males. This information facilitates the investigating officer to narrow down the investigating process in a particular case and direct the criminal investigation towards suspects belonging to the most likely sex. The higher ridge density in females has been attributed to the level of ridge thickness and it is opined that females tend to have finer epidermal ridge details. Consequently, the females have significantly higher finger ridge density than males in a given area. In addition to the reason frequently cited, we propose that the difference between the finger ridge density in males and females in a given area may be attributed to the fact that on an average body proportions of males are larger than females thus the same numbers of ridges are accommodated among the males in a larger surface area and thus, a lower density is observed among males. Fingerprint ridge count is controlled by polygenic inheritance and strongly inherited. Consequently, it may be assumed that given the same genetic make up, males and females should both have the same number of ridges in a fingerprint. Therefore, difference in ridge density between sexes should be correlated with other parameters such as stature and built of an individual. It is also probable that some associated genes of dermal ridges may reside in the X chromosome. If so, then having a double dose (XX chromosomes in females) of the same feature may lead to complete/strong penetrance. There seems to be an indication that the total ridge count is influenced by the genetic component of the individual especially by the sex chromosome component. This may also be influenced by height and chromosomal abnormalities. Another possibility is that some kinds of occupations are likely to enhance or play down the genetic endowment given. The differential ridge density among men and women may also be caused perhaps by the sexual division of labour seen. In-depth research is necessary to see if some of these differences may not be attributable to different kinds of work by studying them in population groups having different work culture. It seems that a part of the genetic endowment allows for a specific number of ridges on the fingerprint. Another part of the genetic endowment as well as various environmental and peripheral physiological characters then go onto shape the final ridge density pattern.

Forensic anthropology casework—essential methodological considerations in stature estimation

&NA; The examination of skeletal remains is a challenge to the medical examiners/coroners office and the forensic anthropologist conducting the investigation. One of the objectives of the medico‐legal investigation is to estimate stature or height from various skeletal remains and body parts brought for examination. Various skeletal remains and body parts bear a positive and linear correlation with stature and have been successfully used for stature estimation. This concept is utilized in estimation of stature in forensic anthropology casework in mass disasters and other forensic examinations. Scientists have long been involved in standardizing the anthropological data with respect to various populations of the world. This review deals with some essential methodological issues that need to be addressed in research related to estimation of stature in forensic examinations. These issues have direct relevance in the identification of commingled or unknown remains and therefore it is essential that forensic nurses are familiar with the theories and techniques used in forensic anthropology.

A Pelican Tarsometatarsus (Aves: Pelecanidae) from the Latest Pliocene Siwaliks of India

We report a new fossil specimen of a pelican from the Tatrot Formation of the Siwalik Hills, India. It likely represents Pelecanus sivalensis Davies, 1880, the smaller of the two previously published species from the Siwalik Group stratigraphic sequence. This complete tarsometatarsus is the first fossil bone of a pelican collected in India for over 100 years. It is from the latest Pliocene (∼2.6 Ma), and is the youngest pelican fossil from the region. The new specimen exhibits a derived distoplantar ‘slant’ to the plantar margin of the medial crest of the hypotarsus, and a combination of features related to the morphology of the hypotarsus, the distal foramen, trochleae, and overall size that allow further differentiation from known tarsometatarsi of fossil and extant pelicans, including the three species of extant pelicans that occur in India (Pelecanus crispus, P. onocrotalus, and P. philippensis). It is of appropriate size for Pelecanus sivalensis, which to date has been known only by fragments of other skeletal elements of the wing, leg, and shoulder girdle. Thus, the observation that this tarsometatarsus is morphologically distinct from those of known pelicans provides further support for the distinctiveness of at least one extinct species of pelican from the Siwalik Group sediments. While the morphology of the tarsometatarsus allows for separation from other taxa known from tarsometatarsi, we found no clear shared derived states to place this taxon with any confidence in a phylogenetic context relative to any other pelican species, or even determine if it is part of the crown group of Pelecanidae. However, published molecular data are consistent with an origin of the crown clade prior to the Pleistocene, suggesting (along with one morphological character) the possibility that this species belongs to the Old World clade of pelican species.

The first darter (Aves: Anhingidae) fossils from India (late Pliocene)

New fossils from the latest Pliocene portion of the Tatrot Formation exposed in the Siwalik Hills of northern India represent the first fossil record of a darter (Anhingidae) from India. The darter fossils possibly represent a new species, but the limited information on the fossil record of this group restricts their taxonomic allocation. The Pliocene darter has a deep pit on the distal face of metatarsal trochlea IV not reported in other anhingids, it has an open groove for the m. flexor perforatus et perforans digiti II tendon on the hypotarsus unlike New World anhingid taxa, and these darter specimens are the youngest of the handful of Neogene records of the group from Asia. These fossil specimens begin to fill in a significant geographic and temporal gap in the fossil record of this group that is largely known from other continents and other time periods. The presence of a darter and pelican (along with crabs, fish, turtles, and crocodilians) in the same fossil-bearing horizon strongly indicates the past presence of a substantial water body (large pond, lake, or river) in the interior of northern India in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains.

Sexual behavior of adolescent students in Chandigarh and their perceptions regarding family life education

Background: With rapidly changing lifestyle and exposure to the Internet and mass media, lifestyle and sexual behavior of adolescent students are also changing rapidly. Objectives: To investigate the sexual behavior of adolescent students and to study misconceptions prevailing among them. Methods: A cross-sectional survey of 1022 adolescent students aged 14–19 years as a part of an Indian Council of Medical Research sponsored survey. Sexual behavior explored by interview method. Logistic regression analysis for finding correlates. Results: Intimate friendship was reported by 19.2% respondents. The sexual behavior included 89% exposure to sex-related material, 74.7% were aware of sexual intercourse. Awareness regarding at least one contraceptive was found among 95.5% (94.5% of condoms and 67.2% of emergency contraception). About 6% respondents reported some sex-related problems and 2.5% of all respondents consulted some doctors for these problems. Awareness of HIV/AIDS was quite high (about 99%), and 96.4% of them were of the opinion that it is spread through sexual intercourse. Knowledge regarding transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) through sexual contact was found among 89.2% respondents. Avoidance/abstinence from sex (84.7%), faithful to one partner (81.7), and use of barrier methods (90.3%) was main reported preventive measures for STIs. About 33% want that the discussion about sex should be open and frank, and 69.4% showed the need of sex education in the schools mostly by doctors. Conclusions: Sexual behavior of adolescent students is changing, and awareness about sex acts is also increasing. There is likelihood of indulging in risky behavior by adolescents. Family life education was felt necessary mainly by qualified medical staff.

Stature estimation from inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance – Some technical considerations

Estimation of stature is an important parameter in the identification of unknown human remains. There is always a need to develop methods of stature estimation that can be utilized in the absence of intact long bones and limbswhich aremost commonly used for estimating stature. The issue becomes more significant in the wake of increased frequency of mass disasters which often leave only commingled remains. This letter refers to an interesting article published in your esteemed journal by Nachiket et al.1 on the reliability of inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance as compared to foot length for stature estimation in South Indians. We congratulate the authors for their attempt on the estimation of stature from a comparatively rare and new parameter, i.e. interanterior superior iliac spinous distance. However, we note that certain technical issues of significance have not been taken into consideration that has great importance in anthropometric studies used in forensic investigations and for the future researchers. The authors did not define the standard reference landmarks or the ones used in the study for taking the anthropometric measurements. The accuracy of measurements especially the inter-anterior superior iliac spinous distance are often debated and holds importance with regard to reproducibility of the research, scientific verifiability of the study and future investigations. Without this information, the methodology of data collection remains unclear and its relevance limited since in such cases replication of the results would be impossible for other scientists. Although the authors made mention of instruments used for taking measurements, yet the technical error while taking measurements with the instruments was not calculated. The technical error of a measurement is an accuracy index and represents the measurement quality and control dimension.2–6 The authors do not make a mention of the inter-observer and intra-observer error in taking measurements. The extent to which the measurement error can influence the measurements should have been taken into consideration. We seek information from the authors on these aspects regarding their potentially significant work. The present

A Second Charak Festival from Delhi

Abstract The Charak puja is a symbol and forms a key symbol where a variety of other symbols cluster around. The festival is analysed in conjunction with the earlier Charak puja seen in Delhi. This gives an idea of the reasons that cluster around the key symbol of the festival. The elements of the festival, involving a period of preparation, fasting and then prayers and hook-swinging, are an essential fabric around which a tapestry of relations and needs are woven. The people then use the available local materials to keep alive a semblance of the rituals that these migrants from West Bengal used to follow. Thus this paper uses the concepts inherent in these local symbols to discover the universal referents of the general culture.

The Charak Festival in India: A Review and a Case Anil Kishore Sinha

Abstract The festival of Charak is known, in the actual use of the world, mainly from West Bengal. However, the period, timing and practices – primarily of the inflicting of tortures on the body – are common for many regions in India. As result, the researchers have decided to call them all Charak . Local names are given where possible. The review given here is not encyclopedic. Rather, it is selected for completeness of description, in order to show trends and similarities. It could be that the researchers have missed out certain major works. In case the reader is aware of any such work, the researchers would be grateful to have them pointed out to them . A lack of previous reviews has led to the writers having written in isolation from others who have written on the issue. Initially, then, an account from pan-Indian cases are given. Later, an account of the festival as celebrated by Bengalis from Delhi is given. This leads to a description, however preliminary, on certain similarities and practices. The authors are continuing their researches on the issue and it is hoped that further issues will emerge with time, especially in association with fire-walking.