Lip prints-an adjunct to sex determination in children in 12-14 year old children

Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy of lip prints for sex determination in children in 12-14 years of age. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 100 subjects, which included 50 males and 50 females, in the age group of 12-14 years from various schools in Patiala. After applying lip stick evenly, the lip-print of each subject was obtained on a simple bond paper. The lip-print was then analyzed and interpreted to determine the sex of individuals. Results: We found that out of 50 male children 32 were correctly interpreted as males, 15 were incorrect and 3 were undetermined. Of 50 females, 36 were accurately interpreted, while 12 were misinterpreted as males and 2 went undetermined. Type I was the most commonly occurring trend in females whereas Type IV was the most commonly occurring trend in male children seen in Patiala. Conclusion: Along with other traditional methods, cheiloscopy can also serve as very important tool in the identification of a person based on the characteristic arrangement of lines appearing on the lips.