[Lip prints--variability and genetics (author's transl)]

In a sample of 500 persons, including 76 families with 133 children, 22 mono- and 17 dizygote twins, lip prints were prepared for the study of variability and genetical basis of ridge-pattern in the region of mucous membrane lips. Taking 4 classes of pattern with different ridge-branching as a basis we observed more frequently branched pattern at the upper lip and mainly simple pattern at the lower lip. About 30% of the lip-prints showed whirling figures--at the upper lip simple and median, at the lower lip double and paramedian. Investigations during several months showed stability against environmental factors. The results of twins, families and mother(father)-child combinations proved a genetical basis of lip-prints. Applications of cheiloscopy to genetical investigations are reported.