1Undergraduate student Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai
2Professor and Head, Department of ProsthodonticsSaveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai
3Lecturer, Department of Forensic OdontologySaveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai
*Corresponding Author : Dr. Dhanraj Ganapathy, Professor and Head, Department of Prosthodontics,Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai-600077. Contact : 91 841504523, Email : dhanaraj@saveetha.com
Online Published on 25 April, 2022.
Cheiloscopy is the identification of humans based on lips traces used as a forensic investigation technique. Lip prints can be used as a reliable forensic tool, considering the consistency of lip prints over time and the accurate correlation of indirect prints to direct prints.
The aim of this survey is to identify the awareness and knowledge of cheiloscopy among dental students.
The cross sectional survey was done among 100 dental students in Chennai city after obtaining their informed consent. The survey instrument was a self designed questionnaire with 13 questions eliciting information about demographics of the participants and knowledge and awareness regarding Cheiloscopy. The questions were sent through a link which was passed around online through survey planet. The responses were collected, tabulated and analysed.
94% of the students were aware of cheiloscopy. 75% of the students were not aware of the Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification of lip prints. 84% of the population were aware of the obligations of cheiloscopy. 63% were aware that lip prints were subjective to change. 74% were aware of latent lip prints.
This study concluded the awareness and knowledge about cheiloscopy was adequate among the dental students. However more rigorous continuing education programs can greatly enhance the knowledge about the forensic applications of cheiloscopy.
Cheiloscopy, Dental students, Awareness, Lip print
