BHOPAL: A whistleblower in Madhya Pradesh Professional Examinations Board ( MPPEB ) scam has shot off a letter to special task force (STF) asking for conducting a 'poroscopy' of thumb impression given by all medical students who appeared in Pre-Medical Test ( PMT ) after 2010.

Impersonators in many cases apparently have used synthetic bandage having thumb impression of actual candidates made by a Haryana-based company, it is alleged.

"Traditionally, fingerprints were used as evidence in court cases and even in high-tech security systems. But, revelations by those arrested for impersonation in Bihar are proving to the world of forensic science that creating forged, latent fingerprints is relatively easy," claims Dr Anand Rai, whistleblower in the MPPEB scam.

Rai has requested STF officials to look into interrogation report of 140 impersonators arrested by Bihar police during constable recruitment exam from different centres on Sunday. One Vivek Kumar, who had appeared for exam at A N College in Bihar, revealed he was using a bandage on his thumb which had thumb impression of the candidate he impersonated.

This was something Bihar police had not heard about. They are now trying to get to the roots of impersonation racket which is competent enough to duplicate the fingerprints, said sources. Bihar module of examination mafias are involved in MPPEB scam too.

STF is yet to lay their hands on those who had been sending scorers and impersonators to MP for the last three years.

"Faking fingerprints with Super Glue and a computer is very easy. STF had been overlooking this point. Poroscopy is one method to detect the fraud," said Dr Anand Rai. Poroscopy involves a comparative study of the pores visible in impressions and in the fingerprints of an identified person.

"Number of medical students impersonated by scorers is higher than those on STF's radar. Many students were left off only because their fingerprints matched though pictures mismatched" claims Dr Rai.

"I don't say it's impossible to fake thumb impression using a cast. But poroscopy can detect the flaws by examining the configuration, size, and relative position of the pores in human skin, which are the external openings of the sebaceous and sweat glands," says Dr D S Badkur, director of the state medico legal institute.

"There are proofs that many students have used glue to tamper thumb impressions. Experts at state forensic laboratory avoided this angle when PMT answer sheets were sent to them. I have sent some samples to forensic lab at my own. Will submit evidences when necessary," says Asish Chaturvedi, another whistleblower in the MPPEB scam.

