Considering the lip print patterns of Ibo and Hausa Ethnic groups of Nigeria: checking the wave of ethnically driven terrorism

INTRODUCTION: Lip print of an individual is distinct and could be a useful form of evidence to identify the ethnicity of a terrorist. OBJECTIVES: The study analyzed the distribution of lip print patterns of two major ethnic groups in Nigeria; Ibo and Hausa, to develop a strategic plan to check the wave of ethnically driven terrorism in Nigeria, carried out by groups such as Boko Haram and Indigeneous People of Biafra (IPOB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 800 participants of Ibo and Hausa ethnic groups (400 males and 400 females). The study adopted a digital method of lip print analysis and followed the guidelines outlined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM) for anthropometric measurements. The lip was classified, using Tsuchihashi and Suzuki method of classification. RESULTS: The predominant lip print patterns of Ibo were Type I with complete vertical groove and Type III with intersect of groove for male and Type III for female. Type I’ with partial length groove was the predominant pattern for both male and female Hausa. The lip width and height of female Ibo were longer than that of the Hausa counterpart (P < 0.05), but none of the anthropometric variables could predict the lip print pattern. CONCLUSION: The lip size and print could aid forensic investigation, though genetic diversity and heterogeneity of ethnic groups in Nigeria, especially that of Ibo, could setback use of lip print pattern to identify the ethnicity of an unknown individual in Nigeria to help determine the terrorist group to which they may belong.