Sex Determination Using Lip Print Patterns Insights from Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria

Introduction

Could the secrets of human identity lie on our lips—literally? A compelling new study explores how lip print patterns may be a valuable tool in forensic science, particularly for determining sex. This research, conducted among indigenes of Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, uncovers distinctive lip print traits between males and females, offering potential applications in criminal investigations where traditional identifiers may be unavailable.

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Key Findings of the Study

This research analyzed lip prints of 100 participants (50 males and 50 females) aged 18–25. Using the Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification, the lip prints were studied as a whole and then divided into six sections for precise evaluation:

• Right Upper Portion (RUP)
• Middle Upper Portion (MUP)
• Left Upper Portion (LUP)
• Right Lower Portion (RLP)
• Middle Lower Portion (MLP)
• Left Lower Portion (LLP)

Notable Outcomes:

• Most common pattern in males: Type I (29%)
• Most common pattern in females: Type I’ (32%)
• Significant gender-based pattern differences found in RUP, LUP, and MLP
• Lip length was significantly longer in males, supporting its role in sex determination
• No statistically significant difference in lip thickness between sexes; however, lower lips were consistently thicker than upper lips in both groups
• Read the full study at: https://doi.org/10.29328/journal.jfsr.1001032

Why This Matters in Forensic Science

In crime scenes where DNA or fingerprint data might be missing, cheiloscopy (lip print analysis) offers an alternative method for identification. Given that lip prints are unique and unchanged throughout life, they provide a reliable forensic marker.

The American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) underscores the importance of embracing diverse biometric markers in personal identification, particularly in cases involving compromised remains or incomplete evidence.

A detailed analysis can be found in our main journal article.

Moreover, discover more forensic insights at https://www.forensicscijournal.com/.

Implications for Broader Research

• Establishing a lip print database for regional or ethnic populations can enhance forensic accuracy.
• Future studies with larger sample sizes may further validate sex determination using lip characteristics.
• Cheiloscopy can complement other biometric tools, especially in forensic anthropology and crime scene analysis.

Key Takeaways

• Type I and I’ are the most prevalent lip print types across sexes.
• Certain lip portions (RUP, LUP, MLP) show statistically significant sexual dimorphism.
• Lip length is a more reliable indicator of sex than lip thickness.
• Lower lips are generally thicker than upper lips in both males and females.

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