TECHNICAL NOTE GENERAL; ODONTOLOGY

Morphologic Patterns of Lip Prints in a Portuguese Population: A Preliminary Analysis

  1. Vírginia A. Costa D.M.D.1,
  2. Inês M. Caldas Ph.D.1,2

Article first published online: 23 MAR 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02118.x

Issue

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Journal of Forensic Sciences

Volume 57, Issue 5, pages 1318–1322, September 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Costa, V. A. and Caldas, I. M. (2012), Morphologic Patterns of Lip Prints in a Portuguese Population: A Preliminary Analysis. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 57: 1318–1322. doi: 10.1111/j.1556-4029.2012.02118.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidad do Porto, Rua, Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva, 4200-393 Porto, Portugal.

  2. 2

    CENCIFOR – Center of Forensic Sciences, Portugal Associação Centro de Ciências Forenses, Largo da Sé Nova, INML IP, 3000-213 Coimbra, Portugal.

*Additional information and reprint requests: Inês M. Caldas, Ph.D. Faculdade de Medicina Dentária da Universidade do Porto Rua Dr. Manuel Pereira da Silva 4200-393 Porto Portugal E-mail: icaldas@fmd.up.pt

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 5 SEP 2012
  2. Article first published online: 23 MAR 2012
  3. Received 23 Jan. 2011; and in revised form 10 May 2011; accepted 3 July 2011.

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Keywords:

  • forensic science;
  • forensic odontology;
  • cheiloscopy;
  • lip prints;
  • human identification;
  • sexual dimorphism

Abstract:  Lip prints are thought to have the ability to distinguish individuals and, hence, have a potential use in human identification purposes. However, questions remain regarding their utility for sex determination. This study aimed to classify lip prints for different individuals in a Portuguese population and to determine whether sex differences exist. Lip prints of 25 females and 25 males were obtained using dark-colored lipstick and cellophane tape. Lip prints were analyzed using a magnifying lens and classified according to the Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification. A Type II pattern was found to be most common. A comparison of lip-print patterns between males and females showed results with a statistically significant difference: Type III pattern was most common in males, and a Type II pattern in females. This study corroborates the hypothesis that lip prints are able to distinguish individuals and may be useful in sex determination.

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