Dysplasia / Dissociation

[Pat]

An intern I am trying to help is working on a project this summer investigating dysplasia and dissociation. Some LPEs have noticed a seemingly high incidence of dysplasia or dissociation in the friction ridges of a certain ethnic group. The speculation is that perhaps there is a genetic factor of inbreeding in tribal societies that might produce such an abnormally high percentage of the population with this condition.

In searching the literature available to us, we cannot determine a clear difference between dysplasia and dissociation. Then the word aplasia pops up, too. Somewhere in my memory from the distant past, I seem to recall learning that of the two D-words, one is genetic and the other is due to environmental causes (disease during the critical period of ridge formation?)

Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. If you can point us toward more detailed scientific treatises on these topics, that would be very helpful.

Thanks!
-- Pat

[timbo]

Pat -
My recollection from training is that dysplasia is, in simplified terms, dissociated ridges over the entirety of the finger (or other ridge detail), whereas dissociated ridges is just ridges malformed in smaller areas of the print. With that in mind, the theory is (to my recollection) that dysplasia is genetic, and dissociated ridges is more due to trauma/disease/etc. during fetal growth. My recollection is that dissociated ridges is commonly associated with schizophrenia - a non-genetic disorder.

HOWEVER, SWGFAST defines dissociated ridges as:
2. An area of friction ridge units that did not form into friction ridges, generally due to a genetic abnormality.

Maybe I didn't pay enough attention in training......

SWGFAST also says that dysplasia is genetic.

Dysplasia - abnormal development (of organs or cells) or an abnormal structure resulting from such growth
Aplasia - failure of some tissue or organ to develop

So with those definitions, I would see aplasia as not applicable to these abnormalities.

Sorry, I don't have any links to scientific treatises.

Tim.

[Bill]

Hi Pat,

I think Charles Parker wrote about this condition at least once, perhaps more. I recall he and I having a phone discussion about it. Charles was quick to add that whatever he wrote wasn't exactly academic, but more of a paper of interest. I am not sure if I have anything from him, but I will look and send you an email if I find anything.

I am interested in the topic myself and make copies of prints with dissociated ridges from time to time as I have time, which isn't often. It appears more pronounced in the thumbs and index fingers than the sides toward the ulna. In other words, it seems to lessen in intensity from thumb to little fingers. As for ethnic groups, I wouldn't know. I am not certain of its frequency in palms.

There is a type of dysplasia that, as far as I know, affects only a handful of people in the United States. It's called DPR and the name is about 20+ characters long. That may have an ethnic componet to it. I have a media article on that I will forward to you.

Regards,
Bill

[Les Bush]

Hello once again Pat,

Into the second year since retiring and my interest has returned to what is happening with fingerprint science. The intern you are helping has hopefully finished the paper by end of summer and it will be submitted on time. In case references on ectodermal dysplasia are still needed there are several websites that lead to quality references and associated to the study of dermatoglyphics and bio-medical science. Try "geneSkin", SpringerLink, and your own USA site PubMed, just search for Ectodermal Dysplasia and you will see the research. The ectoderm is one of three primary germ layers and is responsible for both the skin and the nervous system. It is not surprising that abnormalities, genetic in origin will influence many associated organ systems, hair, teeth and skin. Enjoy and hopefully this has been of help. Cheers from oz, Les

[Pat]

Les! It's great to 'hear' your 'voice' once again in this forum!

The summer intern left about mid-August. Whether she found the sites you mention is unknown to me. She did not work with me daily, but did stop by for a visit before going back to university for the fall semester. She had become very knowledgeable on the topic during the summer and was speaking in medical/biological terms that are not part of the usual latent print examiner's vocabulary.

Funny thing, though, in a study session yesterday with my current class of five students the topic of dysplasia & dissociation came up. With the recent coincidental interest, I shall certainly pursue the sites you suggest and see what more I can learn with them. Thank you!

Cheers,
Pat