A Comparison of Palmar Dermatoglyphics in Two Ethnic Indian Populations of North Bengal,India*

Abstract: Dermatoglyphic print comparisons can be utilized to establish personal identification in forensic cases. The northern part of the state of West Bengal, India, is the home to many ethnic populations. Two such populations are the Rajbanshi and the Mech. Palm prints were collected from 192 adult Rajbanshi (105 men and 87 women) and 100 adult Mech (50 men and 50 women) individuals for print comparison using the standard ink and roll print method. The dermatoglyphic variables studied were mainline formulae, termination of mainline, positional variation of axial triradii, and true pattern of hypothenar and thenar configuration area. There were differences between the Rajbanshi and Mech individuals with respect to these dermatoglyphic variables. The uses of these variables appear to be limited only to ethnic identification, not personal identification. The present investigation further highlights the racial affinity, sex, and bilateral differences among Rajbanshi individuals using dermatoglyphic palmar variables.     

文化视角下的英汉时问隐喻比较研究

时间隐喻作为一种重要的语言现象,承载着浓重的文化信息。中西文化存在共同性,也存在差异性,而文化的多样性反映在具体的时间隐喻表达中,体现民族文化的独特性。本文以文化视角审视英汉时间隐喻的异同点,并分析形成这一现象的深层原因。最后,揭示语言隐喻现象及其文化特征在历史与社会进程中的时代意义,从而为我们提供认识自身文化,学习和借鉴西方文化,顺应时代潮流的一个新视角。     

A simple technique for imaging the human skeleton using a flatbed scanner

A simple technique for imaging the human skeleton with a flatbed scanner is presented using the auricular surface of the ilium as an example. A flatbed scanner with resolution capabilities of 600 dpi or greater allows for images of human bones. The auricular surface of the ilium was selected to demonstrate this technique as it is a fairly three-dimensional area that can be difficult to record photographically. Fifty left ilia of various ages at death from the Athens Collection were selected from which three observers (SCF, CE, and IM) scored the morphology of the auricular surface using a well-established aging method. Observations were taken of the dry bone, of digital photographs of the bone, and of scanned images of the bone, and in that sequence. Results indicate that scores of scanned images are equivalent or better than digital images of the same ilia. This technique allows for sharing data electronically with ease.