LIP PRINT PATTERN ON DIFFERENT MEDIAS: A FORENSIC IDENTIFICATION TOOL
Keywords:
Lip prints, IdentificationAbstract
Role of lip prints in identification is very vast. Study of lip prints is known as cheiloscopy1.lip prints are wrinkles or grooves present in the transition zone of human lip between inner labial mucosa and outer skin. These wrinkles or grooves present on the lips have been named by Tsuchihashi as “sulci labiorum rubrorum”2. Identification through lip prints is same as finger print. As finger prints are used for absolute identification, similarly lip prints are used for the same. But nowadays identification through lip prints is gaining attention as criminals are taking precautions like the use of gloves or silicon thumbs, so that their finger prints may not be identified. Like finger prints, lip prints are also unique to the individual. The location of lip print at the scene of crime gives much valuable information about the individual and his habits e.g. lip prints on drinking glass or on a cigarette. Since 1950, Japanese have carried out extensive research in the matter of cheiloscopy. Tsuchihashi in japan studied lip print impressions called “KO SHIMON”(mouth fingerprints) in Japanese. Based on research done by Suzuki and Tsuchihashi3, it was established that the arrangement of lines on red part of human lips is individual and unique for each human being. The lip prints being uniform throughout life and characteristics of person can be used to verify the presence or absence of a person from the crime4 provided there has been consumption of beverages, drinks, usage of cloth, tissue or napkin etc at the crime scene. By comparing the composition of a lipstick smear with that of a victim or a witness, Forensic Scientist can demonstrate direct or indirect proof of contact or a relationship between plaintiff
References
1. Shafer, Hine, Levy. Shafer’s Textbook of Oral Pathology, 6th ed. Noida, India Elsevier, 2009. P: 871-97.
2. Suzuki K, Tsuchihashi Y. A new attempt of personal Identification by means of lip print. J Indian Dent assoc 1970, 42(1): 8-9.
3. Ball J. The current status of lip prints and their use for identification. The Journal of Forensic Odonto stomatology,2002 Dec;20(2):43-6.
4. Utsuno H, Kanoh T, Tadokoro O, Inoue K. Preliminary study of Postmortem identification using Lip prints. Forensic Science International. 2005 May 10;149(2s):129-32.
5. Suzuki K. and Tsuchihashi Y. A new attempt of personal identification by means of lip prints. Canadian Society of Forensic Science Journal.1971 Jan 1; 4(4):154-158.
6. Dwived N, Agarwal A, Kashyap B, Raj V, Chandra S. Latent lip print development and its role in suspect identification. J.Forensic Dent Sci. 2013; 5(1). 22-27.
7. Costa VA, Caldas IM. Morphologic Patterns of lip prints in a portugese population. A preliminary analysis. J. Forensic Sci. 2012; 57(5): 1318-22.
8. Kumar GS, Vezhavendhan N, Vendhan P. A study of lip prints among Pondicherry population. J.Forensic Dent Sci.2012;4(2):84-87.
9. Kapoor N, Tiwari P. study of lip print among the population of Marathi community. Int J of scientific and research publication.2013;3(2): 1-8.
10. Prabhu RV, Dinkar AD, Prabhu VD. Collection of lip prints as a forensic evidence at the crime scene-an insight. J of Oral Health research,2010;1(4):129-35.
11. Domaity MAE, Al Gaidi SA, Elayat AA, Safwat MDE et al. Morphological patterns of lip prints in Saudi Arabia at Almadinah Almonawarah Province. Forensic Sci Int 2010;179:e1-9.
12. Singh NN, Brave VR, Khanna S. Natural dyes verses lysochromes dye in cheiloscopy. A comparative evaluation. J Forensic dent Sci 2010;2(1):11-17.
13. Castello A, Alvarez M, Miquel M, Verdu F. Long lasting lipstick and latent prints. Forensic Sci Commun.2002;4.
14. Shafer, Hine, Levy. Forensic Odontology 6th edi. India: Elsevier;2009. Shafer’s Textbook of oral pathology. Chapter 21, pp-896-97.
