A Study on Usage of Lip Prints for Personal Identification Among Young Adults

Abstract

The pursuit of reliable and non-invasive biometric identifiers has gained momentum in forensic science. Among the less explored modalities is cheiloscopy—the study of lip prints—as a potential tool for personal identification. This study examines the uniqueness, reproducibility, and perception of lip prints among young adults, aiming to evaluate their applicability in forensic investigations. A sample of 150 participants aged 18–25 was studied using standardized lip print collection and classification methods (Afchar-Bayat classification and Kasprzak lip classification). Results demonstrated significant uniqueness in lip print patterns with minimal intra-individual variability. Moreover, a perception survey indicated that most participants were unaware of lip prints as forensic identifiers, though a majority supported their usage when informed. These findings suggest that lip prints possess considerable potential for personal identification in forensic contexts, especially among young populations. Recommendations for standardization, digitization, and future large-scale studies are proposed.