Forensic anthropological examination of lip-print pattern types among northwest Indians subjects: A pilot study

Origin of unique print patterns on fingers, palm, feet and lips is anthropological in nature, as the development of these patterns has some evolutionary adaptive strategy. Cheiloscopy has proven to be a powerful forensic tool for identification of intruders of any criminal activity likes theft, frauds, robbery, assault (both physical and sexual) or intra-partner violence cases. For the present study, lip prints were lifted from cleaned lips of 106 Northwest Indian subjects (64 Males, 42 Females) using traditional lipstick cellotape method. Of these, 31 subjects were some occupationists like brass-players, musicians, shoemakers, tailors, carpenters and beauticians, which involved active and continuous use of their lips during their professional activities. The lip prints were divided into four quadrants and recognized according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. The results showed that Type II lip print pattern was the most common in both sexes (53.1% males; 46.1% females), followed by Type I (20.3% males; 28.6% females). Among the occupationists, Type II (branched grooves) and Type I (vertical grooves) were the dominant pattern types in males and females, respectively. Significant dimorphism was noticed in the pattern types in both sexes and among different quadrants of lip prints in two sexes. Statistically insignificant occupational differences were noticed in some quadrants which were inconclusive to generalize any facts in such a small sample of occupationists. Though significant sexual differences were noticed in pattern types, however, no forensic generalizations can be concluded based on these findings. the findings of the present studymay corroborate scientific analyses of other circumstantial or collected physical evidences from crime scene.