Lip Prints and Blood Groups among Two South Indian Population-an in-Vivo Study

Collection and classification of lip print, from the crime scene has an important role, in identification of the person in forensic dentistry. Studies have shown that, different racial and ethnic groups show differences in the predominant lip print pattern. Aim: To study the lip print pattern in relation to gender, geography and ABO blood group and Rh system Materials and Methods: A cross- sectional study was done by purposive sampling. The sample size was 100 [50 from Kerala and 50 from Karnataka], each group in turn comprise of 25 males and females. After applying lipstick evenly, lip print was obtained, by dabbing a strip of cellophane tape and classified, as per Tsuchihashi's system. The data was analyzed and expressed in proportions and chi-square test, for statistical significance was used. Results: Type IV (32%), followed by Type II (30%) were the commonest lip pattern observed. Type IV was commonly found, both in Kerala and Karnataka group followed by Type II and type I. This was statistically significant at p value of 0.5(X2 =3.06 df:4 p=0.5. Males had Type IV (42%) has the commonest pattern and females had Type II (28%), however the differences was not significant statistically (. X2 =16.8 at df:4 p=0.001). Type IV and Type II pattern is seen in almost all the blood group, except in AB-ve and B-ve individuals. Type I pattern found, in Rh- positive blood group only. Conclusion Difference in lip pattern was observed in relation to geography, but not with gender and ABO blood group