Reliability of lip prints in personal identification: An inter-racial pilot study

Forensic science is a branch of science that deals with the application of science and technology in solving a crime and this requires a multidisciplinary team effort. The word "Forensic" is derived from the Latin word, "Forensis" which means the study of public. Dental professionals should develop interests in contributing to legal issues.

To study the lip prints among people of different races.

Descriptive study.

The present study comprised of ninety subjects of which Group A comprised of Africans, Group B comprised of Dravidian, and Group C of Mongoloid race. Each group was then further divided into 15 males and 15 females for whom the lip prints were recorded and evaluated.

ANOVA test.

ANOVA statistical analysis was used to compare three races of African, Dravidian, and Mongoloid races. The observed data among male and female were found to be significant with a P = 0.000492.

The present study showed a significant difference in lip pattern among the three races. Perhaps future studies with a larger sample size and comparison between many other races may be done for better personal identification.