Morphological patterns of lip prints in relation to gender in a defi ned cohort

Abstract

Objective: The aim was to underline the significance of lip prints in forensic investigation for identification, to document common lip-print patterns, to analyze and evaluate them in relation to the gender from the population under study. Materials and Methods: The present study was conducted on 150 Nepalese medical students, of which 75 were males and 75 were females with age ranged from 18 to 25 year-old, of Universal College of Medical Sciences and Teaching Hospital, Bhairahawa. After applying lipstick evenly, the glue portion of cellophane tape was used to obtain the impression of the lip, which was transferred on to a white bond paper. The data were compiled and analyzed using Z-test for proportion to assess gender differences in lip-print patterns and P < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: No two individuals had similar lip print pattern, the most frequent pattern was Type I (48%), followed by Type II (31%). The predominant pattern of lip print in males was clear-cut grooves running vertically across the lip (75%) and that in females were branched grooves (56%). Type I, Type II, and Type V lip print patterns were significantly associated with sex (P < 0.001) hence can be used in the identification of gender among the suspects in defined cohort. Conclusion: This loom of gender and individual identification utilizing lip prints is pertinent in defined group and the authors recommend the practical utilization of this technique, which is virtually absent in Nepali medico-legal system, in routine civil and criminal litigations.