Correlation of lip prints and lip competence in children

INTRODUCTION: Individual identification is a significant and difficult task in forensic search; it was based on logical values. A lip print is different in every living individual and does not change with time so it can be used as a tool in forensic investigations. The present work aimed to find out the correlation between lip prints and lip competence in the pediatric population of Davangere city. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study sample comprised of 103 children that is, 49 males and 54 females of aged between 4 and 14 years. The lip impression was made on a strip of cellophane tape on adhesive portion; it was then placed to a white bond paper. This serves as permanent record. In this study, we are followed the classification of patterns of the lines on the lips proposed by Tsuchihashi. For recording lip competence, we considered Ballard criteria. RESULTS: Chi-square test was used to find out the degree of association between variables and to check out whether statistically significant differences exist. CONCLUSION: Lip prints are unique for every person and show differences according to the race and the ethnic origins of a person. The present study confirmed the distinctiveness of cheiloscopy but disproves any statistical correlation of lip print with lip competency.