Cheiloscopy: A preliminary study of lip prints for gender determination

Abstract

Aims: The present study was conducted to assess gender identification and this can be used as a reliable tool in the identification of an individual at any judicial process. Materials and Methods: This study comprised of 82 dental students (42 females and 40 males) with age ranging from 19 to 21 years. Lip prints were recorded with the help of a cellophane tape strip and analysed according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification criteria. Results:The mean age distribution among males was 20.07 ± 0.81 where as in females it was 19.78 ± 0.73. Distribution of different patterns in upper lip vertical patterns was very prominent when compared with reticular, branched and intersecting.Distribution of different patterns in lower lip branched patterns was very prominent when compared with reticular and verticals. Comparing between upper lip with lower lip pattern wise there was no statistically significant.Compared different patterns in relation with lower lip the values showing stastically significant (p≤0.05). Conclusion: Lip prints or Cheiloscopy can be used an individual identification. The results obtained in our study do not show any evidence that cheiloscopy can be used as gender identification. This could be because of smaller sample size, we need larger sample to give consolidated evidence related with gender identification. Key words: Lip prints, Cheiloscopy, Forensic odontology, gender, identification