Classical Forensic Biomarkers in a Nigerian University Population: Distribution and Associations Between ABO-Rh Blood Groups with Primary Fingerprint Patterns

Chiwar H.M.1, Holma M. 1, Kolomi M.L.1, Yirima A.I.2, Zarami L.B.2, Abbas M.M.3, Ishiyaku A.4, Andebutop H.J.1, Maibulangu I.M5, Kindin AA.6

1Department of Medical Laboratory Science, University of Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria.
2Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Kashim Ibrahim University, Maiduguri, Nigeria.
3Department of Haematology, Federal Teaching Hospital Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria.
4Department of Histopathology, Federal Medical Centre Mubi, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
5Department of Pathology, Federal University of Health Sciences Teaching Hospital Azare, Nigeria.
6Department of Laboratory Services, State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Nigeria

*Corresponding author’s Email: alaskiry@gmail.com, doi.org/10.55639/607.02010098


ABSTRACT

The ABO–Rh blood group system and dermatoglyphic fingerprint patterns represent classical biological markers historically utilized in forensic and medico-legal investigations. Although both traits are genetically determined and stable throughout life, their discriminatory capacities differ substantially, with ABO blood grouping serving primarily an exclusionary role and fingerprint ridge patterns providing morphological classification rather than individual identification when limited to primary categories. This analytical cross-sectional study assessed the distribution of ABO–Rh blood groups and primary fingerprint patterns and examined their associations with sex among undergraduate students of the University of Maiduguri, Nigeria. A total of 1,876 consenting students were enrolled using a convenience sampling approach. Blood groups were determined using the slide agglutination method with Anti-A, Anti-B, and Anti-D antisera, while fingerprint patterns were collected using the inked fingerprint technique and classified into arch, loop, and whorl categories. Statistical analyses were performed using chi-square tests with Cramér’s V to evaluate the strength of associations. Blood group O Rh positive was the most prevalent (46.0%), followed by Blood group A Rh positive (22.2%) and Blood group B Rh positive (16.7%), while Rh-negative phenotypes were relatively uncommon. Loop patterns predominated (49.7%), followed by whorls (27.6%) and arches (22.7%). A statistically significant but weak association was observed between ABO Rh blood groups and fingerprint patterns (p < 0.05; Cramér’s V ≈ 0.14). A small association was also observed between ABO Rh blood groups and sex (p < 0.05; Cramér’s V ≈ 0.19), whereas no statistically significant relationship was found between sex and fingerprint pattern distribution. Overall, the observed associations were modest in magnitude and likely reflect minor distributional variation within the institutional sample rather than strong biological relationships. The forensic relevance of these findings lies primarily in their descriptive contribution to the documentation of classical forensic biomarkers within a defined population, while acknowledging that these markers lack the discriminatory power of DNA profiling or detailed ridge analysis for individual identification.

KEYWORDS

ABO-Rh blood group,
dermatoglyphics,
fingerprint patterns,
forensic biomarkers.

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