As pointed out by Hauser & Abraham, dermatoglyphic methodology investigates either shape or size rather than both variables simultaneously. Hauser & Abraham have given a method to analyse simultaneously the shape and size of the third palmar interdigital area. We describe analytically their selection of the shape variables and indicate how their method can fit into a general framework of size and shape analysis. Their data are reanalysed and we describe some advantages of their choice of variables. However, their size and shape variables are highly correlated.