Abstract

Background: Lip print is a common type of evidence found in a forensic context. The determination of the sex from an in-situ lip print is a critical job. Aim and Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the sexual dimorphism present in lip groove patterns and Cupid’s bow morphology for sex determination. Materials and Methods: The bilateral lip prints were obtained from 100 healthy youths, including 49 males (23.82±8.52) and 51 females (22.25±7.49) from North 24 Pargana District, West Bengal. All the prints were analyzed to quantify total grooves, vertical, cross, and fork-type grooves on both upper and lower lips. Results: Males exhibited a significantly (p<0.05) higher count of vertical grooves on the lower lip, whereas females showed a significantly (p<0.05) higher count on the upper lip. However, the Cross-type grooves were significantly (p<0.05) dominant in both lips of the studied females. Total groove count across both lips was also significantly (p<0.05) higher in females. However, the fork-type grooves in the lower lip showed a significantly higher (p<0.05) count in males. Apart from those, Cupid’s bow morphology showed distinct patterns among the males and females, V-type structures significantly (p<0.05) predominated in the upper lips of males, while W-type structures were significantly (p<0.05) frequent in females. However, the lower lip showed significant (p<0.05) sexual dimorphism, with round structures significantly (p<0.05) prevalent in males and flat structures in females. Conclusion: Therefore, lip print analysis can be used as a reliable indicator for individual and gender identification in a Forensic context

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