Gender determination using cheiloscopy

BACKGROUND: Although lip prints have been used as an evidence for human identification in forensic science, there exists a doubt about its role in gender determination. AIMS: The present study was designed for documenting common patterns, as well as their variation in the study population, with objective of evaluating uniqueness of the lip print pattern among the study population, as well as to evaluate the possibility of gender determination. STUDY DESIGN: Two hundred and thirty five lip prints were collected from volunteers among out patients of Darshan Dental College and Hospital, as well as community dental care camps of rural areas around Udaipur. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lip prints were recorded with transparent overlay and transferred on to a bond paper. It was then photographed using a Canon EOS 55OD 16 mega pixel digital camera. Software Picasa 3.6 and Microsoft Picture Manager were used to digitally enhance the quality and magnify the image bearing the groove pattern. Lip prints were later analyzed. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Pearson chi square test was adopted for statistical analysis and probability (P value) was calculated. CONCLUSION: In our study, none of the lip prints were identical, thus confirming the role of lip prints in individual identification. Dots, reticular and complex patterns were significant in gender determination.