This document discusses lip prints and their classification and use in forensic identification. It describes Tsuchihashi's classification of six lip print types based on groove patterns. Lip prints are unique to individuals and can be left as latent prints at crime scenes. Methods to develop both visible and invisible lip prints left on surfaces are discussed. The study of lip prints is called cheiloscopy and has been used in forensics for human identification by examining anatomical lip patterns. While lip prints are considered permanent and individualistic, trauma or surgery can alter lip patterns.

1. LIP PRINTS

3. CLASSIFICATION
Tsuchihashi’s classification based on grooves ( 6 Types)
Type I – clear cut vertical grooves that runs across entire lip
Type I 1 – same as Type I , does not cover entire lip.
Type II – Branched grooves
Type III – Intersected grooves
Type IV – Reticular grooves
Type V - Grooves cannot be morphologically differentiated

5. 1st proposed by Santos
Simple wrinkles
• Straight line
• Curved line
• Angled line
• Sine shaped curve
Compound wrinkles
• Bifurcated
• Trifurcated
• Anomalous

6.  A combination of these grooves may be
found on any set of lips.
 To simplify recording, the lips are divided into
quadrants similar to the dentition- a
horizontal line dividing the upper and lower
lip and a vertical line dividing right and left
sides.
 By noting the type of groove in each
quadrant, the individual’s lip print pattern can
be recorded.

7. LIP PRINT AT CRIME SCENE
 Lip prints may be left at crime scenes and
can provide a direct link to the suspect.
 The use of lip sticks was essential to leave
behind coloured traces of lip prints.
 These marks are characterized by their
permanence and produce ‘persistent’ lip
prints that can be recovered days after being
produced.

8.  In recent years, however, lip sticks have
been developed that do not leave any visible
trace after contact with surfaces such as
glass, clothing, cutlery or cigarette butts.
 Although invisible, Alvarez et. al. have shown
that these prints can be developed and
visualized using agents like, aluminium
powder and magnetic powder.

9. According to BALL lip sticks are not needed for recording.
 Vermillion border of lip – minor SG
 Edges of lip – sebaceous & sweat glands

10.  Ball states that the vermilion border has
minor salivary glands and the edges of the
lips have sebaceous glands with sweat
glands in between.
 The secretions of oil and moisture from these
enable development of ‘latent’ lip prints in
most crime scenes, where close contact
between the victim and the culprit has
occurred.

11. Lip prints
Imprints produced by wrinkles & grooves visible on the lips.
Study of Lip prints - CHEILOSCOPY
Supposed to be individualistic and can be used for crime detection like
Finger prints.
Lip prints are permanent and can be recorded after days.

12.  Lip print characteristics have been widely used
in forensics by experts and by the law for
human identification.
 While examining human lips characteristics the
anatomical patterns on the lips are taken into
account.
 Studies have shown that the grooves in the
human lips are unique to each person, and
hence can be used in human identification.

13.  The study of Chieloscopy has gained much
prominence in recent times, the idea was
proposed in 1968 by Yasuo Tsuchihasi and
Kazuo Suzuki at Tokyo University .
 They studied the lip prints of people of all ages
and concluded that lip characteristics are unique
and stable for a human being.
 Much recently, it has been studied that lip prints
can also be used to determine the gender of a
human being.

14.  The pioneer of Chieloscopy, Professor
J.Kasprzak, analysed 23 unique lip patterns for
finding features of human beings.
 Such patterns (lines, bifurcations, bridges,
pentagons, dots, lakes, crossings, triangles etc.)
are very similar to fingerprint, iris or palm print
patterns.
 The statistical characteristics features extracted
from the lip prints also account for unique
identification.

15.  Michal Choras has re-affirmed the belief in his
studies that the lip can be used as a primary
biometric modality for successful identification
purposes.
 He has shown that geometrical analysis of the
anatomical parameters of the human lip can be
monitored for successful identification.
 Lukasz Smacki has also done significant
research studying the groove patterns in the
human lips for personal identification.

16. DISADVANTAGES
 Sivapathasundharam et.al have cautioned
that major trauma to the lips can result in
scarring.
 Surgical treatment rendered to correct any
abnormality also affects the size and shape
of the lips, thus altering the pattern and
morphology of grooves.

17.  Tsuchihashi states that the anatomic position
of lip grooves on the zone of transition close
to the vermilion border ( this zone is
extremely mobile).
 The prints produced may differ in appearance
depending on the pressure applied and the
direction of pressure.
 Hence, lip prints caused by one individual
may be mistakenly identified as those from
another.

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