Lip print patterns: Similarities among the parents and their children

BACKGROUND: The wrinkles and grooves visible on the lips form the characteristic pattern of an individual and imprints produced is termed as “lip print.” The study of these prints is known as “cheiloscopy.” Variations in patterns among males and females could help in sex determination. Lip prints, therefore, can constitute material evidence left at a crime spot, equivalent to fingerprints. These patterns are heritable and are believed to be unique and permanent. The lip prints of parents and children and those of siblings have been shown to have some similarities. The influence of inherited lip print patterns among family members is still a new concept and studies are scanty in literature. OBJECTIVES: The objectives are to determine the most common patterns and gender-wise distribution among the study population and to analyze the inherited lip print patterns from parents to their offspring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Lip prints of 30 families were obtained using lipstick and cellophane tape. Based on criteria given by Suzuki and Tsuchihashi, patterns were recorded and analyzed from four quadrants of the lips using a magnifying lens. RESULTS: The positive resemblance of lip print patterns from parents to their offsprings showed statistically significant resemblance in one quadrant and rest of the three quadrants showed no significant association between parents and offspring. CONCLUSION: Positive resemblance among the family members can be attributed to the genetics and inheritance. Lip print can be considered as an auxiliary method of identification.