Korean J Phys Anthropol.  1995 Dec;8(2):147-156. 10.11637/kjpa.1995.8.2.147.

Morphologic Characteristics of Finger and Palm Prints of the Akha and Lahu in Northern Thailand

• Chung MS
• Cho JH
• Han SH
• Choi BY
• Kim HJ
• Koh KS
• Hwang YI

• KMID: 2376336
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.11637/kjpa.1995.8.2.147

Abstract

In this study of the physical anthropological characteristics of the Akha and Lahu in northern Thailand, whose customs are similar to the Koreans, the authors examined the finger and palm prints of the Akha (male 107, female 114) and Lahu (male 92, female 101) using qualitative methods, and compared them with those of various ethnic groups including Koreans. The results were as follows : The whorl types (Akha 57.7%, Lahu 58.1%) were the most common finger prints, followed by ulnar loop types (Akha 39.7%, Lahu 38.7%), arch types (Akha 2.6%, Lahu 2.8%), and radial loop types (Akha 1.7%, Lahu 1.2%). Of the palm print types, 9-7-5 (Akha 32.7%, Lahu 21.3%) and 7-5-5(Akha 25.4%, Lahu 21.3%) were most common, followed by 11-O-7 (Akha 2.0%, Lahu 11.3%), 9-O-5 (Akha 1.5%, Lahu 10.0%), 11-9-7 (Akha 6.0%, Lahu 5.7%), 7-5-4 (Akha 7.0%, Lahu 2.2%). The finger and palm print patterns of the Akha and Lahu did not correspond closely to the patterns of those classified as White, Negro, or Oriental, although they were closest to the patterns of the latter, particularly Chinese (rather than Korean or Japanese).

Keyword

Thailand; Akha; Lahu; Finger print; Palm print; Dermatoglyphics; Anthropology

MeSH Terms

African Continental Ancestry Group
Anthropology
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Dermatoglyphics
Ethnic Groups
Female
Fingers*
Humans
Thailand*