Cheiloscopy: A crucial technique in forensics for personal identification and its admissibility in the Court of Justice

In every criminal inquiry, identification is of utmost importance. Cheiloscopy is a technique used in forensic investigation that focuses on identifying people from their lip prints. Just like fingerprints, each person's lip crease pattern is unique. Moreover, Lip prints are seen to remain consistent throughout an individual's life. Lip prints can therefore be used to confirm if a person was at the crime scene or not. Cheiloscopy is used to examine the sulci labiorum, or "lip prints," which are the wrinkling and furrows on the labial mucosa that produce a distinctive pattern. The current review article focuses on the potential of cheiloscopy as a vital role player in the process of criminal investigation by detecting and identifying individual(s).

Cheiloscopy in sex estimation: a systematic review

This study aimed to conduct a systematic review to gather evidence to clarify if cheiloscopy can be used in sex estimation and identify the reasons behind the lack of consensus in the scientific community. The systematic review was performed following the PRISMA guidelines. A bibliographic survey was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, restricted to articles published between 2010 and 2020. Studies were selected according to eligibility criteria, and then the study data were collected. The risk of bias in each study was assessed and applied as additional inclusion or exclusion criteria. The results of the articles eligible for analysis were synthesized using a descriptive approach. In the 41 included studies, several methodological flaws and variations between studies that contribute to the discrepancy in results were identified. The data gathered allowed us to conclude that there is no strong scientific evidence to support the use of cheiloscopy in sex estimation, as there is no specific pattern for each sex, which reduces the criminalistic interest of cheiloscopy in estimating this parameter.

Are lip prints hereditary? A systematic review

Hereditary lip prints have been studied by several researchers. However, the literature shows no consensus among the scientific community regarding this topic. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review to gather evidence to clarify whether the surface structure of lip prints is hereditary and, consequently, if a familial relationship between individuals can be established through the analysis of lip prints. The systematic review was performed following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. A bibliographic survey was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, restricted to articles published between 2010 and 2020. Studies were selected according to eligibility criteria, and then the study data were collected. The risk of bias of each study was assessed and applied as additional inclusion or exclusion criteria. The results of the articles eligible for analysis were synthesized by a descriptive approach. In the seven included studies, methodological variations, including the definition of similarity, that contribute to the heterogeneity of results were identified. The data gathered allowed to conclude that there is no strong scientific evidence to support the hypothesis of the existence of heredity in the surface structure of lip prints, since it was not proven that similarities between parents and children occur systematically in all families.

Lip print identification: Current perspectives

Lip print identification has been proposed as an additional tool for crime investigation because of the supposed uniqueness of labial grooves; however, critics of the validity and reliability for methods and techniques redefined standards and requirements in order to consider this discipline a real forensic identification science. During our research we identified recent literature, presented here, which although extensive, have focused almost entirely on anthropological topics with outdated references which were not from primary sources and, furthermore, were erroneously quoted. Currently, authors continue to use the concept of lip pattern uniqueness, yet the greatest part of their research has failed to support this hypothesis under current scientific standards. Concepts and designs needed to evaluate materials for lip print development - the isolation of DNA, evaluation of inter-rater reliability in identifying their patterns or known potential rate of error - are scarcely mentioned in the reviewed literature. Lip print identification has been important historically, but the new paradigm makes the redefinition of the current research necessary to stop guesswork and speculation.

Morphologic Patterns of Lip Prints in a Sample of Croatian Population

PURPOSE

Cheiloscopy deals with the study of elevations and depressions which form a characteristic pattern on the external surface of the lips. Lip grooves are considered to be unique and analogous to the fingerprint. The aim of the research was to determine the type of grooves on healthy lips of men and women using lip prints in a sample of Croatian population, to determine whether there is a statistically significant difference between men and women in the types of grooves and to determine whether there are any differences between male and female lip prints.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A randomly selected sample of Croatian population consisted of 40 male and 50 female subjects. The samples of lip grooves were classified according to Tsuchihashi classification.

RESULTS

The research has shown that most women in Croatia belong to Type 2 (40.0%), followed by Type 1 (34.0%), Type 3 (12.0%), Type 4 (8.0%), and Type 5 (6.0%) which is of less importance. Most Croatian men belong to Type 3 (35.0%) and Type 2 (25.0%). A small number of men belong to Type 4 (15.0%), Type 5 (12.5%) and Type1 (12.5%).

CONCLUSION

There was a statistically significant difference between men and women regarding the types of lip grooves.

Regression equations for sex and population detection using the lip print pattern among Egyptian and Malaysian adult

INTRODUCTION

Identification of sex and ethnicity has always been a challenge in the fields of forensic medicine and criminal investigations. Fingerprinting and DNA comparisons are probably the most common techniques used in this context. However, since they cannot always be used, it is necessary to apply different and less known techniques such as lip prints.

AIM OF THE WORK

Is to study the pattern of lip print in Egyptian and Malaysian populations and its relation to sex and populations difference. Also, to develop equations for sex and populations detection using lip print pattern by different populations (Egyptian and Malaysian).

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

The sample comprised of 120 adults volunteers divided into two ethnic groups; sixty adult Egyptians (30 males and 30 females) and sixty adult Malaysians (30 males and 30 females). The lip prints were collected on a white paper. Each lip print was divided into four compartments and were classified and scored according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. Data were statistically analyzed.

RESULTS

The results showed that type III lip print pattern (intersected grooves) was the predominant type in both the Egyptian and Malaysian populations. Type II and III were the most frequent in Egyptian males (28.3% each), while in Egyptian females type III pattern was predominant (46.7%). As regards Malaysian males, type III lip print pattern was the predominant one (41.7%), while type II lip print pattern was predominant (30.8%) in Malaysian females. Statistical analysis of different quadrants showed significant differences between males and females in the Egyptian population in the third and fourth quadrants. On the other hand, significant differences were detected only in the second quadrant between Malaysian males and females. Also, a statistically significant difference was present in the second quadrant between Egyptian and Malaysian males. Using the regression analysis, four regression equations were obtained.

Inheritance pattern of lip prints among Malay population: A pilot study

We assessed the resemblance of lip print patterns between parents and biological offspring in families of 31 Malay students as well as the distribution of different types of lip print in the study group. Only a few studies have successfully established the inheritance pattern of lip prints. Such studies can be population specific and need to be conducted in various populations. No such study have been conducted in Malay population in Malaysia, according to our knowledge. Present study was carried out to ascertain whether there is any inherence pattern in lip prints and thereby to investigate the potential role of lip prints in personal identification. We found 58.06% resemblance of lip print patterns between the parents and their biological offspring in our study. The influence of heredity in lip print pattern is still a new concept and there is lack of concrete evidence. The data from our study shows that there is potential influence of inheritance in the lip print patterns among the family members. Further researches involving larger samples size are suggested to derive more reliable and accurate results. The most common lip print pattern among the study group is type I (29.84%) followed by type II (23.12%), type III (22.45%), type I' (13.44%), type IV (9.54%) and type V (1.61%). Racial variations in lip print patterns and their prevalence may serve as an aid in forensic identification and crime scene investigation. The results of this pilot study will help in establishing guidelines for future researches on lip print analysis in Malaysia.

CONTEXT

Lip print patterns are unique and individualistic. However, there are some similarities in basic patterns of lip prints between family members which may be attributed to influence of inheritance.

AIMS

1. To determine the inheritance pattern of lip prints among Malay family members of the student. 2. To identify the distribution of different types of lip prints among Malay population.

SETTINGS

and

DESIGN

Observational pilot study.

METHODS AND MATERIAL

Lip prints of 124 individuals from 31 families consisting of father, mother and two children were recorded and classified based on Tsuchihashi Classification (1974).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED

Statistical analysis was performed for resemblance pattern among family members (Karl-Pearson Correlation Coefficient) and inter-observer variability (Kappa test).

RESULTS

58.06% positive resemblance was found between parents and biological offspring. The highest lip print pattern in the study group was type I (29.84%) and the least was type V (1.61%).

CONCLUSIONS

There is positive resemblance in lip print patterns among family members which may be attributed to influence of inheritance. However, further studies with larger sample sizes need to be conducted to confirm the results. Type I lip print was the most prevalent pattern among the study subjects.

Comparison of Lip Print Patterns in Two Indian Subpopulations and Its Correlation in ABO Blood Groups

BACKGROUND

The study of lip-print pattern (cheiloscopy) is a scientific method for personal identification and plays a major role in forensic and criminal investigations.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the lip print patterns in Kerala and Maharashtra population and correlate between ABO blood groups.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Two hundred subjects, 100 from Maharashtra and 100 from Kerala were considered for the study. Lip prints were recorded, analyzed according to Tsuchihashi classification. The lip print patterns were compared in the two populations, correlated in ABO blood groups. The data obtained was statistically analyzed with SPSS software using chi-square test.

RESULTS

In our study, predominant lip print pattern observed in Kerala population was type IV (53%) and Maharashtra population was type II (42%). The difference between the two population was statistically significant (p<0.001). Subjects with A+ and O- blood groups had type II lip print predominance. Subjects with B+, AB+ and O+ blood groups had type IV predominance. The lip print patterns do not show any correlation in ABO blood groups.

CONCLUSION

Lip prints are unique to each individual and are different even in two persons. Lip print patterns were different in the two sub populations studied, and they showed no correlation in ABO blood groups.

Lip prints and inheritance of cleft lip and cleft palate

BACKGROUND

Labial mucosa has elevations and depressions forming a pattern called 'Lip Prints'. Parents of patients with cleft lip &/or palate are known to have a particular lip print pattern.

OBJECTIVES

Analysis of lip prints and relationship between Cheiloscopy and inheritance of cleft lip &/or cleft palate.

METHODOLOGY

The study included 100 subjects [study groupparents with children having cleft lip &/or cleft palate, 50 fathers and 50 mothers) and 50 subjects (control group-parents having children without cleft lip &/or cleft palate, 25 fathers and 25 mothers. The lip prints of the subjects were obtained using the cellophane method and analysed using Suzuki & Tsuchihashi classification of lip prints. The data was subjected to Chi- Square test, Fisher Exact test and Student t-test [two tailed, independent].

RESULTS

A new whorl pattern was present in the study group. The groove count was higher in the fathers' than in the mothers' prints in the upper lip and vice versa in the lower lip.

CONCLUSION

The new pattern was present in the study group in a significant number of cases. The groove count was significantly high in the study group. These two parameters can be of significant value to similar future studies.

Lip prints: The barcode of skeletal malocclusion

INTRODUCTION

In orthodontics, apart from essential diagnostic aids, there are so many soft tissue analyses in which lips are major part of concern. However, lip prints have never been used in orthodontics as diagnostic aid or forensic tool. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the possible association of lip prints with skeletal malocclusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A sample of 114 subjects in the age group of 18-30 years, from North Indian adult population were selected on the basis of skeletal class I, class II and class III malocclusion, each comprising of 38 subjects with equal number of males and females. Lip prints of all the individuals were recorded and digital soft copies of lateral cephalograms were taken. Lip prints were compared between different skeletal malocclusions.

RESULTS

It was found that branched lip pattern was most common in North Indian adult population with no sexual dimorphism. The Z-test for proportion showed that the prevalence of vertical lip pattern was significantly higher in subjects having skeletal class III malocclusion.

CONCLUSION

A definite co-relation of vertical lip patterns with skeletal class III malocclusion was revealed.

Correlation of Lip Prints with Gender, ABO Blood Groups and Intercommissural Distance

BACKGROUND

In forensics, the mouth allows for a myriad of possibilities. Lip print on glass or cigarette butt found at crime scenes may link to a suspect. Hence, a dentist has to actively play his role in personal identification and criminal investigation.

AIMS

To investigate the uniqueness of the lip print patterns in relation to gender, ABO blood groups and intercommissural distance (ICD).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study was conducted on 208 randomly selected students. The lip print of each subject was obtained and pattern was analyzed according to Tsuchihashi classification. The blood group and ICD at rest position was recorded for each.

RESULTS

The study showed that Type II (branched) lip pattern to be most prominent. The B+ blood group was the most common in both genders and the ICD is higher in males. The lip print pattern does not show any correlation between ABO blood groups, gender, and ICD.

CONCLUSIONS

The lip print pattern shows no correlation with gender, ABO blood groups, or ICD. Further studies with larger samples are required to obtain statistical significance of this correlation.

A study of morphological patterns of lip prints in relation to gender of North Indian population

BACKGROUND

Establishing a person's identity is a very important process in civil and criminal cases. Dental, fingerprint and DNA comparisons are probably the most common techniques allowing fast and secure identification processes. However, in certain circumstances related to the scene of the crime or due to lack of experienced personnel, these techniques might be unavailable; so there is still an increasing need for reliable alternative methods of establishing identity.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to check for any peculiar lip patterns in relation to the sex of the individual and determine the most common lip patterns in the given population.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was conducted on 150 subjects, which included 75 males and 75 females, in the age group of 18-30 years. After applying lipstick evenly, the lip print of each subject was obtained on a simple bond paper by a researcher, and later the lip print was then analyzed and interpreted.

RESULTS

The intersected type was most commonly seen in females and branched in males. Reticular pattern was the least common type in both males and females.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that the lip prints are unique to an individual and behold the potential for recognition of the sex of an individual.