Can lip prints provide biologic evidence?

Abstract

Background:Lip prints are unique and can be used in personal identification. Very few studies are available which establish them as biological evidence in the court of law. Thus, the objective of this study was to attempt to isolate DNA and obtain full short tandem repeat (STR) loci of the individual from the lip prints on different surfaces.Materials and Methods:Twelve lip prints were procured on different surfaces such as tissue paper, cotton cloth, ceramic tile, and glass surface. Latent lip prints were developed using fingerprint black powder. Lipstick-coated lip prints were also collected on the same supporting items. DNA was isolated, quantified, and amplified using Identifiler™ kit to type 15 STR loci.Results:Ample quantity of DNA was extracted from all the lip print impressions and 15 loci were successfully located in seven samples. Fourteen loci were successfully typed in 3 lip impressions while 13 loci were typed in 2 samples.Conclusion:This study emphasizes the relevance of lip prints at the scene of crime. Extraction of DNA followed by typing of STR loci establishes the lip prints as biological evidence too. Tissue papers, napkins, cups, and glasses may have imprints of the suspect's lips. Thus, the full genetic profile is extremely useful for the forensic team.

Vaseline treatment combined with a natural dye extract to enhance lip print contrast images

“…The results were consistent with those from earlier research, indicating that the tissue paper or a piece of cloth carrying lip prints could be assessed by STR analysis of 13 and 15 loci 19 . Although some studies have proposed that lip groove patterns could be used for the determination of gender, 14,21,22 personal identification is also required in the process of forensic investigation. The results suggest that roselle extract staining did not interfere with STR analysis and could be used for personal identification, although DNA is extensively needed in the criminal justice system and is expected to be presented as crucial evidence during a trial in court.…”

Cheiloscopic Evaluation in Forensic Odontostomatology

“…The vermilion border, or inner surface of the lip, has neither hair nor sweat glands [17], which could make the detection of latent prints on surfaces inconsistent, as it is not sebum that will be found, but, rather, flaking cells and extremely variable amounts of saliva. This characteristic of lip prints, however, may be of extreme importance, as several studies show that it is possible to extract DNA from latent lip prints from these very residues, creating a synergic effect with cheiloscopy analysis for identification purposes [18][19][20].…”

Técnicas de identificação humana em Odontologia Legal

“…Frequentemente, a qualidade da impressão labial é muito ruim; ou muito borrada, o que torna impossível a identificação queiloscópica. Além de algumas delas serem impressões latentes, que só podem ser reveladas com pós de impressão digital, como pó preto, pó cinza e até mesmo tinturas lisocromáticas (Segui et al, 2000), mas das quais se pode extrair o DNA seguida pela tipagem dos loci STR, estabelecendo as impressões dos lábios como evidência biológica (Sharma et al, 2016).…”

“…As impressões labiais são indicadas como um auxílio confiável, fácil e barato para a identificação humana no campo da Odontologia Forense, desde que se empreguem técnicas que combinem análise analógica, digital e classificação (Ulery et al, 2011;Kaul et al, 2015;Sharma et al, 2016;Wrobel et al, 2018;Fonseca et al, 2019).…”