Evaluating Pore Count and Pore Shape in Fingerprints Across Professional Cohorts

Abstract

This study investigates the relationship between occupation and poroscopic characteristics in the context of forensic science. Pores are the small openings found within the ridges of fingerprints from which the sweat is released. Fingerprint samples were collected from individuals representing 5 different occupations using a live scanner, with observation total pore count and shape count were analysed. The results reveal significant differences in pore characteristics among occupations, suggesting that environmental and lifestyle factors associated with different occupations may influence pore development and morphology. There are noticeable differences in pore count and distorted shape of pores. Manual labour has the highest number of distorted pores among the professions.
The observed differences in pore characteristics among occupations can be used to enhance fingerprint identification and provide contextual information for investigators. Gives an option where the occupation can be estimated and the number of suspects can be reduced or could work as circumstantial evidence to identify a particular person.
The findings have implications for fingerprint analysis, occupational inference, and forensic investigations. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge on Poroscopy and its applications in forensic science, highlighting the potential for occupation-based analysis to enhance fingerprint identification and investigation.