4-CHEILOSCOPY AND DERMATOGLYPHICS AS TOOLS FOR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION: AN URBAN NIGERIAN POPULATION STUDY

Fakorede, Samson Taiwo; Adekoya, Khalid Olajide; Akpan, Utom-Obong Udom; Etta, Glory; Oboh, Bola

doi:10.21608/ejfsat.2025.338609.1357

4-CHEILOSCOPY AND DERMATOGLYPHICS AS TOOLS FOR PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION: AN URBAN NIGERIAN POPULATION STUDY

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Genetics Research Group, Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

² Anatomy Programme, College of Health Sciences, Bowen University, Iwo, Osun State, Nigeria

³ Department of Cell Biology and Genetics, Faculty of Science, University of Lagos, Lagos, Nigeria

10.21608/ejfsat.2025.338609.1357

Abstract

Background: Fingerprint and lip print patterns are two distinct biometric identifiers used for human identification in forensic science and security applications. Lip print patterns (Cheiloscopy), albeit supplementary in applications, can be combined with fingerprint patterns (dermatoglyphics) to enhance the accuracy of identification. The present study aimed to evaluate lip print and fingerprint patterns as tools for gender identification in the Nigerian population.

Materials and Methods: We obtained fingerprints and lip prints from 150 randomly selected individuals with no signs of mouth lesions or damaged thumbs. Fingerprint patterns were determined by analyzing the configuration of the skin ridges, while lip print classification was done using the established Suzuki and Tsuchihashi systems. The data were then analyzed using Chi-square, correlation, and descriptive analyses.

Results: Our results revealed that on the right thumb, males have a higher prevalence of the arch pattern (62.7%) compared to females (50.7%), while females exhibit a higher percentage of the loop pattern (32.0%) than males (17.3%). On the left thumb, however, males again show a higher percentage of the arch pattern (56.0%) compared to females (41.3%). The loop pattern is similar in both genders, though slightly higher in females (32.0%) than in males (28.0%). The most prevalent lip pattern among males and females was intersected, with 38.7% and 28.0% prevalence, respectively. Lip print pattern was statistically associated with gender (P<0.001). However, no significant association exists between male and female participants' fingerprint and lip print patterns.

Conclusion: These findings have practical implications for forensic investigations, providing a basis for the use of fingerprint and lip print patterns for gender identification in the Nigerian population.

Keywords: Forensics, fingerprint, lip prints, Tsuchihashi classification, Nigeria.

Keywords