Comparative assessment of lip print and tongue print in gender determination: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Introduction: In the recent times, anthropological traits such as lip prints and tongue prints are being acknowledged as a great fortune in gender determination. Not only the traits are unique, but also they can be acquired and secured from person through least invasive and cost-effective techniques. Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the predominant type of lip print and tongue print and to correlate the lip print with tongue print in identification of gender. Materials and Methods: This study was carried out with fifty individuals (25 males and 25 females) who were reporting to the Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology. For each individual, lip prints were recorded using a dark-colored lipstick and analyzed according to Suzuki and Tsuchihashi classification, and the tongue impression was recorded by making alginate impression and being preserved using the alginate molding. The Chi-square test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Type 3 pattern in males and Type 1 pattern in females were the predominant lip patterns. In tongue, the physiological texture, pentagonal shape, scrotal tongue in 8% and blunt apex were the predominant features in males whereas ovoid shape with sharp lingual apex were seen predominantly in females. A statistically significant correlation was found between the lip print and tongue print with P Conclusion: The lingual impression may constitute precise methods for forensic dentistry identification in addition to lip print.