A key line of inquiry

Chinese experts say they have tracked the origin of some of the nation's ethnic groups through a study of finger tips and feet soles, which could eventually help decipher the origin of the human race. Lin Shujuan reports

Where did the human race originate? The latest answer to this age-old question comes from experts in dermatoglyphics, or the study of the pattern of ridges on finger tips and feet soles.

"Cheirologists (professional hand analysts) might be wrong, or lie about everything they tell you," says China's leading dermatoglyphic expert Zhang Haiguo.