Abstract: Finger patterns and finger ridge count were studied on 5,013 samples from 11 national minorities (12 populations) in China. Several basic parameters were calculated, and the difference between sexes, left and right sides, nationalities and races, as well as the characteristics in distribution of finger patterns and finger ridge count were compared and analysed. The study shows that the finger patterns of these nationalities have both their own feature and the general character of the Mongoloid.

Key words: Dermatoglyphics; Finger patterns; Total finger ridge count