•  
  •  
 
Virginia Dental Journal

Abstract

Cheiloscopy is a forensic odontology field focused on identifying individuals through the analysis of unique lip prints, which are as distinctive as fingerprints. Lip patterns form in utero and remain stable over time unless altered by injury or disease. Lip prints can indicate sex, ancestry, and familial lineage, and are used as evidence in criminal investigations. They can be collected using photography, lipstick, and digital methods, and are viable evidence at crime scenes. Despite their potential, there is no standardized method for their forensic application, and research on postmortem lip prints is limited. Advances in technology could integrate lip print analysis into routine dental exams and electronic health records.

Included in

Dentistry Commons

Share

COinS