History of human fingerprints & development of DMIT
History of human fingerprints & development of DMIT
The history of fingerprints and the science behind their analysis, including the development of Dermatoglyphics Multiple Intelligence Test (DMIT), involves a fascinating interplay of disciplines including anatomy, medicine, genetics, and psychology. This exploration traverses’ centuries, touching upon the contributions of several pivotal figures and the gradual understanding of dermatoglyphics as a crucial tool in both forensics and psychological assessment.
Early History of Fingerprint Analysis
1. Ancient Civilizations: The use of fingerprints has been recorded as far back as ancient Babylon, where fingerprints were used on clay tablets for business transactions. Ancient Chinese documents also mention the use of handprints as evidence during burglary investigations.
2. Henry Faulds (1843-1930): A British surgeon and missionary in Tokyo, Faulds was one of the first to propose fingerprints as a method for identifying individuals. His work, published in the scientific journal Nature in 1880, suggested that fingerprints do not change over time and are unique to each individual.
Advancements in Fingerprint Science
3. Sir Francis Galton (1822-1911): A British polymath and a cousin of Charles Darwin, Galton conducted the first systematic study of fingerprints and developed a classification system for them. His book, Finger Prints, published in 1892, established the uniqueness and permanence of fingerprints, laying the foundation for their use in forensic science.
4. Juan Vucetich (1858-1925): An Argentine police officer who developed his own system of fingerprint identification in 1891. Vucetich's system was first used to solve a murder case in 1892, marking one of the earliest uses of fingerprints in criminal investigation.
Dermatoglyphics and Psychological Assessment
The term "dermatoglyphics" itself was coined in 1926 by Dr. Harold Cummins, often referred to as the "Father of Dermatoglyphics." Cummins, along with his colleague Charles Midlo, extensively mapped the fingerprints and hand prints of various population groups. Their landmark book, Finger Prints, Palms and Soles, was an anthropological triumph that laid the groundwork for further scientific research in the field.
Development of DMIT
5. Dr. Howard Gardner (b. 1943): The theory of multiple intelligences, proposed by Howard Gardner in 1983 in his book Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences, has been instrumental in the development of DMIT. Although Gardner did not directly work on fingerprint analysis, his theory suggested that intelligence is not a single general ability but multiple distinct types of intelligences. This idea has been used in DMIT to suggest that fingerprint patterns could be associated with different intellectual potentials.
6. Integration into DMIT: Modern DMIT tools and theories have integrated dermatoglyphics with Gardner's multiple intelligences. The exact origins of DMIT as a product are somewhat diffuse, with various practitioners and companies developing their own systems and methodologies. While no single scientist or doctor can be credited with creating DMIT, it is the culmination of interdisciplinary research involving dermatoglyphics, psychology, and educational theory.
7. DMIT is a solution built on over two centuries of research by eminent scientists
1823 - John Evangelist Purkinji a professor of anatomy at the University of Breslau, published his thesis researching of fingerprint patterns classification.
1892 - Sir Francis Galton a British anthropologist and a cousin of Charles Darwin, He published his book, "Fingerprints", establishing the individuality and permanence of fingerprints. The book included the first classification system for fingerprints.
1926 - Harold Cummins, M.D. aka. the Father of Dermatoglyphics. And C.Midlo, M.D. studied all aspects of fingerprint analysis, from anthropology to genetics and embryology perspective. 1943 Published book, Finger Prints, Palms and Soles, a bible in the field of dermatoglyphics.
1944 - Dr Julius Spier Psycho-Analytic Chirologist published “The Hands of Children” he made several significant discoveries especially in the area of psycho-sexual development and the diagnosis of imbalances and problems in this area from the patterns of the hands.
1968 - Sarah Holt, whose own work 'The Genetics of Dermal Ridges' published in 1968, summarizes her research in of dermatoglyphics patterns of both the fingers and the palm in various peoples, both normal and congenitally afflicted.
1976 - Schaumann and Alter's 'Dermatoglyphics in Medical Disorders' published. Significant investigations have also been carried out into the dermatoglyphics indicators of congenital heart disease, leukaemia, cancer, rubella embryopathy, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia etc. Dermatoglyphics research being directed into genetic research and the diagnosis of chromosomal defects.
1970 - USSR, Former Soviet Union. Using Dermatoglyphics in selecting the contestant for Olympics.
1980 - China carry out researching work of human potential, intelligence and talents in dermatoglyphics and human genome perspective.
1985 - Dr. Chen Yi Mou PhD. of Havard University research Dermatoglyphics based on Multiple Intelligence theory of Dr. Howard Gardner. First apply dermatoglyphics to educational fields and brain physiology.
2000 - Dr Stowens, Chief of Pathology at St Luke's hospital in New York, claims to be able to diagnose schizophrenia and leukaemia with up to a 90% accuracy. In Germany, Dr Alexander Rodewald reports he can pinpoint many congenital abnormalities with a 90% accuracy.
2004 - IBMBS- International Behavioural & Medical Biometrics Society. Over 7000 report and thesis published. Nowadays the U.S., Japan, China, Singapore, Malaysia & Taiwan apply dermatoglyphics to educational fields, expecting to improve teaching qualities and raising learning efficiency by knowing various learning styles.
Conclusion
The development of DMIT is a testament to the evolving understanding of human fingerprints, not only as unique identifiers for forensic purposes but also as potential windows into understanding human intelligence and personality. While the scientific community continues to debate and research the efficacy and validity of correlating fingerprint patterns with personality traits, the field of dermatoglyphics remains a rich area of study contributing to our understanding of human biology and psychology.
