Assessing the distribution of various patterns of finger prints and lip prints depending on gender and its reliability in forensics
Background: Lip prints and finger prints are vital parts in an individual to identify the individual concerning both criminal and civil cases owing to the uniqueness seen in their finger and lip prints. However, literature studies are scarce in this context. Aim: The present study was aimed to assess and identify any existing corelation between finger and lip prints concerning the gender distribution. The study also assessed the distribution of various patterns of both lip and finger prints in Indian subjects. Methods: The study assessed 400 subjects in the age range of 18 to 25 years. For all the subjects, impressions were made using lip prints and ink stamp pad which was pasted on the cellophane tape and filter paper. Any relation between finger prints and lip prints was assessed using appropriate statistical tests. Results: For distribution of lip print pattern in study subjects, they were vertical in 34% (n=136) subjects followed by reticular and branched pattern in 17.5% (n=70) subjects, intersectional in 16.5% (n=66) subjects, and undetermined in 14.5% (n=58) study subjects respectively. Whorl arch and loop was seen in 25.8% (n=16), 12.9% (n=8), and 61.3% (n=38) subjects on left index finger and in 32.3% (n=20), 16.1% (n=10), and 51.6% (n=32) males on right index finger. In females, whorl, arch, and loop was seen in 23.1% (n=78), 21.3% (n=72), and 55.6% (n=188) females on right and 29% (n=98), 18.35 (n=62), and 52.7% (n=178) females on left index finger. Conclusion: The present study, within its limitations, concludes that forensic science is related with the dental evidence where their roles are to interpret, preserve, and collect the trace evidence and to relate to the judicial system as the report. Lip print type and pattern has potential promise as a supplementary help for identification of the gender. However, no association is seen between gender and fingerprints.