Analysis of Lip Print for Gender Identification in Karachi (Pakistan) Population

Aims: The grooves and wrinkles over the sulci labiorum forms a specific pattern called lip print. Cheiloscopy is the study of lip printing. Lip prints are unique to an individual similar to finger prints and thus support in personal identification.

The aim of this study was to evaluate gender dimorphism by Cheiloscopy and to find out predominant lip patterns in Karachi population.

Study Design: This is a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at different campuses of Ziauddin Hospital and Al-Zohra Welfare Association, Karachi from July 2016 to January 2017.

Methodology: The study population included 456 Pakistani subjects (253 males and 203 females) of aged 15 to 55 years. Lip print patterns were noted and studied according to Tsuchihashi’s classification. Chi square test was used for data analysis, p-value of ≤ 0.05 was considered to be the level of significance.

Results: A significant association was found between gender and lip pattern among Karachi population. The most common lip pattern in females were found to be type II followed by type III, where as type I’, type V, type IV and type I. However, in males type III was most dominant followed by type II, type I, type I’, type V and type IV are also to be found. In Karachi population Type III lip pattern was found to be predominant in 44.51% individuals followed by Type II in 31.6% individuals.

Conclusion: The study showed that lip prints hold a potential identity to the gender and population. This can be used as a supplemental tool for forensic science.