Digital and palmar dermatoglyphs of South African Whites.

Digital and palmar dermatoglyphs in a random sample of normal Whites from Durban are described. The sample consisted of 200 males and 200 females. Features examined included frequency and distribution of finger patterns, digital and total ridge count, a-b score, and palmar topography. Data from this study are compared to similar data from South African Negroes, Indians, and Coloureds (mixed racial origin) and several outstanding racial characteristics are demonstrated in the dermatoglyphic profiles. It is suggested that the Indians' dermatoglyphic profile is dominant to those of Whites and Negroes.