INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue XI, November 2025  
“Mapping the Correlation Between Fingerprint Pore Diameter and  
Chronological Age”  
Poonam Kumari, Dikshita S. H, Dr. Mrinmayee Kale  
National Forensic Science University, Goa  
DOI : https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2025.1411000081  
Received: 26 November 2025; Accepted: 03 December 2025; Published: 18 December 2025  
ABSTRACT  
Fingerprints are unique dermatoglyphic patterns found on the volar surfaces of the fingertips, characterized by  
ridges and furrows. Poroscopy, the systematic examination of sweat pores located along these ridges, is a  
significant technique in forensic identification due to the individual specificity of pore configurations. While  
previous research has established the uniqueness and consistency of pore patterns, the potential influence of  
aging on these characteristics remains insufficiently studied. Current literature offers limited insight into  
agerelated changes in pore size, morphology, or visibility, and there is a notable absence of longitudinal data and  
diverse age cohort studies to fully address this issue. This study aims to address this gap by systematically  
analysing pore features across four distinct age cohorts: adolescents and young adults (13–24 years), middleaged  
adults (25–48 years), older adults (49–60 years), and senior adults (60+ years). Atotal of 400 fingerprint samples  
were collected from these groups. Fingerprint impressions were obtained using an inkless ink pad on glossy  
paper, selected for its ability to produce high-resolution prints with clearly visible pores. Adequate pressure was  
applied to ensure optimal ridge and pore detail. The collection sequence commenced with the right thumb and  
concluded with the left little finger, with ten prints gathered per age cohort. A mirrorless camera equipped with  
a fixed focal length and zoom lens was employed for print documentation. The number of pores per ridge  
segment was manually quantified to calculate the average pore diameter. The results demonstrate the  
considerable potential of poroscopy in forensic age estimation, highlighting its utility as a supplementary tool  
for approximating the age of an individual from latent fingerprint evidence recovered at crime scenes.  
Keywords: Fingerprint, Poroscopy, ridges, valleys, inkless ink pad, mirrorless camera  
Data Statement  
Sample of 40 individual from 4 different age groups:  
1. Age group of 13-24  
2. Age group of 25-48  
3. Age group of 49-60  
4. Age group of 60+.  
Data collected manual through inkless pad on glossy paper surface.  
Data is observed in 5x5mm square box.  
Data observed; total pores, no. of pores on 1 ridge, pore shapes (elliptical, circular & others) and average pore  
diameter.  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue XI, November 2025  
INTRODUCTION  
Fingerprints are the unique identification feature for every individual. Even, identical twins with identical DNA  
can easily be identified independently through fingerprints. Sir Francis Galton known as the father of fingerprint.  
Fingerprints are permanent throughout the life until and unless any permanent damage occurred to the fingertips  
like any severe injury, deep burn, acid burn, etc. There are different minutiae characters on the fingertips which  
helps in matching one print with other to know if those two are from same individual or different. Mainly  
minimum eight points should be matched in questioned and sample print to say them as identical or same prints.  
There are three levels of fingerprint analysis; Pattern, Minutiae and Poroscopy & Ridgeology.  
Poroscopy is discovered and developed by Sir Edmond Locard in 1912. It is a study of sweat pores on the  
papillary ridges of the skin to identify the individual. Locard observed pores on the epidermal ridges are unique  
for each individual. Locard also found that like ridge characteristics the sweat pores are also permanent,  
immutable and individual. It may help in establishing identity of individuals when there is no sufficient minutiae  
characteristics are available in case of partial and unclear prints for identification purpose. A single pore appears  
like a dot on fingerprint. There are different shapes of seat pores on fingerprint like; Oval, Square, circle.  
The study aims to develop an age-stratified fingerprint database that enables more precise and context-aware  
identification. By assigning each sample to its appropriate age group, the system reduces the search space and  
improves overall matching accuracy. Poroscopy lies under level 3 of FP analysis which means it is the best way  
to identify an individual through the sweat pores present on the print and by providing a data base we can also  
work on this domain as till now poroscopy is not used in the identification purpose commonly due to the lack of  
research and database on it.  
AIM  
The main purpose of this, is to study various sweat pores present on the fingertips of the different people on the  
basis of their age groups. As the pores are unique for every individual, through the study of pores we can make  
an easy approach in the field of fingerprint for comparison and identification through different age groups.  
Poroscopy is the study of sweat pores present on the ridges like the ridge characters it is also unique for each  
individual. Poroscopy comes under ‘level three’ under features of fingerprint scan. Through poroscopy we can  
also determine the gender. As per the studies with increasing age the density of the ridges decreases in humans.  
Males exhibit a lower density of pores in comparison of females. Through poroscopy, it is possible to identify a  
certain age group with accuracy. These pores of different age group make the identification and comparison of  
fingerprints easy which found on the crime scene, even if they do not have sufficient minutia character.  
Significance  
1. Help in identification purpose even after incomplete prints.  
2. Can help in more precise results because of 3rd level detail.  
3. Help in forensic investigation and studies.  
4. Help in reducing the suspects by eliminating different factors like age, occupation, region, etc and find  
suspect easily.  
Sample Collection  
The samples were collected under a stratified method by using a glossy paper and an inkless pad. The samples  
collected are simple prints not rolled ones. During the collection process the glossy paper is turned as a ten-digit  
fingerprint data sheet and the prints are taken accordingly in a proper order. The prints are taken in a pattern  
started from right thumb and end by left little finger. All the ten fingers are simply pressed again the inkless pad  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
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first and then pressed against the glossy paper with appropriate force as instructed. Samples are collected from  
40 different people including all ten fingers which makes the count of total samples 400.  
Samples collection is done in 4 different groups of the age;  
1. Age group (13-24) :10 samples including both male and female  
2. Age group (25-48) :10 samples including both male and female  
3. Age group (49-60) :10 samples including both male and female  
4. Age group (60+) :10 samples including both male and female  
Examination Procedure  
The sample of different people according to different age groups are collected and preserved properly for the  
further examination work. Samples of 40 people are collected within four different age group categorizes which  
includes 13-24, 25-48, 49-60 & 60+ ages. The fingerprint collection procedure is held manually with the help of  
glossy paper and inkless ink pad. The prints are collected age wise and proper instruction are given while  
collecting prints. Prints are started taking from Right Thumb and ends at Left Little. The examination part of the  
samples is started from the stereomicroscope which has limitation of instrumentation for the diameter calculation  
so to make it possible the whole examination part is done manually. For this study, each individual print was  
photographed using a mirrorless camera, with a measurement scale placed adjacent to the print to ensure accurate  
scaling and measurement. The photographs are then taken for the examination part. For the examination of pores  
in prints, a square of 5x5 mm is drawn on the print using measurement scale placed adjacent to the sample for  
accuracy. After that the counting of total no. of pores in square, total no. of pores on a single ridge, total no. of  
circular pores in square, total no. of elliptical pores in square, total no. of other shaped pores in square and the  
average diameter of the pores are taken. The average diameter of pores includes the mean of minimum 5-6 pores  
in the square. The diameter of each pore is taken from the paint in the pixels by using line and then converted  
the pixels into micrometres to get the diameter of each pore. After measuring diameter of each pore, mean value  
was calculated to obtain average pore diameter and finally average diameter of each sample is obtained through  
this process. All the measurements were compiled into a detailed table, and the results were plotted graphically  
to make the data easier to interpret.  
Data Analysis and Interpretation  
Table showing the values of analysis for sample 1(age 13-24) with graphical representation:  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XIV, Issue XI, November 2025  
Table showing the values of analysis for sample 11(age 25-48) with graphical representation:  
Table showing the values of analysis for sample 26(age 49-60) with graphical representation:  
Table showing the values of analysis for sample 11(age 60+) with graphical representation:  
The collected samples are stored and a square of 5x5 mm is made on print for the sweat pore counting purpose.  
The sweat pores of all the fingers of all the participants are counted thoroughly. Average diameter for every print  
is also counted through the excel sheet.  
For the collected data tables and graphs are prepare for each participant’s fingerprint which contain each detail  
as shown above. The details are represented in the graphical form from the table which is prepared with the  
details for easy understanding. The table contain the name of sample and then the name of finger on which the  
examination is performed and further the total no. of pores on that particular finger, different shape pores on the  
finger as well as the average diameter of the pores. Single table for a single person’s print is prepared and  
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,  
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according to different ages to give a required output. Above only few samples are provided as per the age groups  
and we can provide the whole content if it is needed.  
Observation  
1. Samples of 40 people are collected according to their age group. Four age groups are taken and samples  
of 10 people are collected in each group which involves all ten prints of an individual.  
2. A 5x5 mm square is taken as per the process to count the sweat pores. The pores within the square of  
5x5mm are counted as per the table shown above the total no. of pores in the square, no. of pores on  
single ridge, shapes of different sweat pores and then the average diameter of the pores present in the  
square.  
3. Here we observed that the no. of pores in each age group differs not only no. of pores but diameter of  
pores also differs.  
4. As per the study, no. of pores in the age group 13-24 is more and less in the 60+ age group which shows  
the no. of sweat pores decrease with respect to increasing age.  
5. The sweat pores in the early age are dense in comparison of old age. When average diameter of the sweat  
pores is calculated it is observed that the diameter of pores increased with increasing age and the diameter  
of pores are small in the early age.  
6. When the density of the ridges decreases the diameter of sweat pores increased. The no. of the pores on  
the ridges is less in 60+ and the diameter of the pores are larger as the age increases the density of the  
ridges decrease and the diameter of pores increased in both males and females.  
7. The pores in early teenage shows the pores very clearly and densely with high density of ridges.  
Future Scope  
Through this study we can provide a type of data and further we can produce a proper data base of the sweat  
pores as these are also permanent and inevitable like fingerprints so this can give a more precise result for the  
identification purpose of an individual. As per the data in our hands at present there is not such specific data base  
prepared for the poroscopy which can help in finding the individual and that’s why it is not used for the  
identification purpose. Once we get the data base for this, we can also prepare the instruments for the same and  
can get more precision to identify an individual through poroscopy.  
CONCLUSION  
The study shows the age of an individual can be find out by the no. of pores on a fingerprint. The no. of pores is  
more in the early age people while the no. of pores decreases with increasing age. When the age increases the  
diameter of pores also increase accordingly but in 13-24 age group the diameter of pores is lesser. The density  
of ridges is less in aged people while the ridge density in younger ones is higher. In early age the pores are close  
to each other while with increasing age the pores became far from each other. This study shows satisfactory  
results of establishing the age of the donor with the help of poroscopy. Prints found on SOC which lacks the  
sufficient minutiae points can be used for the further investigation by doing a poroscopy examination of them.  
This may help in categorizing the suspects in a specific age group so the range of suspects became narrow and  
easy to find the criminal as well.  
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MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)  
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