Cheiloscopy in gender determination: A study on 2112 individuals

Area of Science:

• Forensic Science
• Anthropology
• Oral Medicine

Background:

• Lip prints are unique and permanent identifiers for individuals.
• Cheiloscopy, the analysis of lip prints, serves as a valuable forensic tool for personal identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalent lip groove patterns within the Calicut population in Kerala.
• To contribute anthropological data on lip print variations.

Main Methods:

• A study of 2112 individuals (1056 males, 1056 females) in Calicut, Kerala.
• Lip prints were recorded using lipstick and analyzed with a magnifying lens.
• Ethical clearance and informed consent were obtained prior to data collection.

Main Results:

• Common lip groove patterns identified were Type 1', Type 1, Type 4, and Type 5.
• Males predominantly exhibited Type 1' and Type 1 patterns.
• Females predominantly exhibited Type 4 and Type 5 patterns, consistent across upper and lower lips.

Conclusions:

• Cheiloscopy is a dependable method for personal and gender identification.
• This research establishes geographical prevalence data for lip groove patterns.
• Further studies in diverse regions will enhance the utility of cheiloscopy in forensic databases.