Fingerprint pattern frequencies in schizophrenics. Importance of ethnic origin and plexus visualization score ratings.

Our previous work with schizophrenics has suggested that the plexus visualization score (PVS), a characteristic derived from in vivo observation of skin capillaries, may be helpful in distinguishing between biologically different groups of patients. Preliminary fingerprint data demonstrated a significant difference in the frequency of whorls between high PVS and low PVS schizophrenics. A survey of fingerprints in control subjects revealed, however, that their ethnic background, even within the presumably 'mixed' Caucasian population of the USA, should also be taken into account. In the present study, the fingerprint pattern frequencies were, therefore, studied in 242 schizophrenics selected on the basis of both their ethnic origin and PVS ratings. Our results demonstrate a statistically significant difference in fingerprint pattern frequencies between high PVS and low PVS schizophrenics, even when they are matched for ethnic origin. The effect of the ethnic factor on fingerprint pattern frequencies in this patient sample is similar to the one previously reported for normal subjects.