Fingerprint and Lip Print Analysis

Arofi Kurniawan, drg., Ph.D

Department of Forensic Odontology

Faculty of Dental Medicine, Universitas Airlangga
FINGERPRINTS

 The oldest, most important, gold standard for personal identification

and all forensic science for more than 100 years.1,2
 “Reproduction of the friction ridge arrangement present on the tips of
the fingers when an impression is deposited on a touched surface.2
It’s characterized by a complicated patterns which are hills (ridge)
and valleys (furrows).1”
 The Scientific Working Group on Friction Ridge Analysis, Study and
Technology (SWGFAST) defines a friction ridge as “a raised portion
of the epidermis on the palmar or plantar skin, consisting of one or
more connected ridge units.”3
Friction ridge skin on the end joint of a finger (A) and its
corresponding reproduction, called a fingerprint (B).2
Our fingertips are covered with hundreds of microscopic sweat
pores, which make our fingers moist and able to grip better,
that’s why it will leave traces of the pattern on the contact
surface.2,4
Basic Science of Fingerprint

Also known as dactyloscopy, is the study of fingerprints for the

purpose of recognition someone by observing wrinkles on palms
and feet.

“The use of fingerprints for human

identification has now evolved into
one of the main tools used by law
enforcement, professional medical
personnel, and disaster response
teams for personal identification.”
 The Principle of Fingerprint Identification

very individualistic; there are likely no two people

in the world with the same fingerprints, even
UNIQUENESS identical twins.

The patterns form early in embryonic development

and remain constant throughout embryonic life,
PERMANENCE birth, and the live of the individual.

* Unless there is damage to the dermal skin layer, permanent scars and skin diseases
 Application of Fingerprints

IDENTIFICATION  “WHO is he/she?”

Mostly in forensic cases  to help locate, identify, and eliminate
suspects in criminal cases.

AUTHENTICATION  “Is it REALLY him?”

the automated method of verifying a match between two human
fingerprints  as core technology in biometric security devices
 MAMBIS
(Mobile Automated Multi-Biometric Identification
System)
 MAMBIS (Mobile Automated Multi-
Biometric Identification System)
 In its development, the process of forensic identification cannot be
separated from the influence of technology.
 Biometrics is a computerized automatic method for identifying or
recognizing someone based on physical characteristics that are as
unique as humans, such as fingerprints, face recognition, hand
and palms geometry, iris, retinas, teeth and lips.
 In Indonesia, the National Police Identification Unit is INAFIS
(Indonesia Automatic Fingerprint Identification System), using a
device named MAMBIS (Mobile Automated Multi-Biometric
Identification System), which is able to identify data on unknown
bodies through fingerprints and retinal eyes, integrated with E-KTP.
BASIC PATTERN of FINGERPRINTS

There are three basic fingerprint patterns based on their visual

characteristic: arches, loops, dan whorls.
 These basic pattern types can be further divided into eight
distinct subgroups based on observed differences within
patterns of the same type :

Arch Loop Whorl

 Plain arch  Radial Loop  Plain whorl
 Tented arch  Ulnar loop  Central pocket whorl
 Double loop whorl
 Accidental
An Interesting Information

Fingerprint fact

30% WHORLS 65% LOOPS 5% ARCHES

Arches
Arches are the simplest type of fingerprints that are formed by
ridges that enter on one side of the print and exit on the other.
No deltas are present.

Spike or “tent”

Plain Arch Tented Arches

Ridges enter on one side and Similar to the plain arch,
exit on the other side. but has a spike in the center.
 Left
Hand

Loops
Loops must have one delta and one or more
ridges that enter and leave on the same side.
These patterns are named for their positions
related to the radius and ulna bones, i.e. the Ulna
bone the loop opening is facing towards. Radius

Delta

L – Radial Loop L – Ulnar Loop

R - Ulnar Loop R - Radial Loop
X-Ray Imagine: http://www.tooloop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Radius-Ulna-X-Ray.jpg
Whorls
Whorls have at least one ridge that makes (or tends to make) a
complete circuit. They also have at least two deltas. If a print has
more than two deltas, it is most likely an accidental.

Central
Plain
Pocket
Whorl
Whorl

Draw a line between the two deltas in the plain and central pocket whorls. If
some of the curved ridges touch the line, it is a plain whorl. If none of the center
core touches the line, it is a central pocket whorl.
 Whorls – part 2
Double Loop Whorl Accidental Whorl

Delta

Delta

Double loop whorls are Accidental whorls contain

made up of any two two or more patterns (not
loops combined into one including the plain arch), or
print. does not clearly fall under
any of the other categories.
a b c
References
1. Stuart H. James JJN. Forensic Science: An
Introduction to Scientific and
Investigative Techniques. 4th edition.
CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group;
2009.
2. Senn DR, Stimson PG. Forensic Dentistry.
2nd ed. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press,
Taylor and Francis Group; 2010.
3. Daluz HM. Fundamentals of Fingerprint
Analysis. Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press,
Taylor and Francis Group; 2015.
4. Bertino AJ. Forensic Science:
Fundamentals & Investigations. United
State of America: South-Western
Cengage Learning; 2009.
LIP PRINT
INTRODUCTION

 Lip prints are unique and do not change during the life of a
person.1 Therefore, just like fingerprints, lip prints are
considered valuable forensic evidence.
 Lip prints are normal lines or fissures in the form of wrinkles
and grooves present in the zone of transition of the human lip
between the inner labial mucous membrane and the outer
skin, that vary from person to person.2 This is what makes lip
prints can be used in identifying individuals.
 Cheiloscopy (Yunani; cheilos= lips, skopein=
observing/studying) is a study of lip prints.3
Anatomy of the
lips
No single individual has the same lip print
pattern;
not even uni-ovular twins!

22
 ADVANTAGES
Lips are biological materials that have several advantages,
such as: (Choraś, 2010)
Passive biometric tool, which means it does not require
interaction with the intended subject, i.e. the subject is in the
distance, lip prints can still be obtained.

High accuracy so that it almost matches the accuracy of

fingerprint techniques

The location and position of the lips are easy to reach; generally
not covered by anything.

The source of biometric data from lip prints anatomy provides

more accurate results when compared to behavioral biometric
data, such as sound.

Lip prints identification can be combined with other biometric

methods, such as face and sound.
WEAKNESS OF LIP
PRINT

Because it is a soft tissue, so it is The location of the lip prints is limited

easily damaged. to:

Eating
There is no ante mortem data / lip Skin (cheeks,
instrument
print database. neck, back of
(glass, bowl,
hands)
spoon)
Lip mucosa is different from skin
Other surfaces (clothes, tissue,
tissue (fingerprints) so there is not
handkerchief, letters, photos, door
always a print.
and window glass, fruit skin,
cigarette butts)
APPLICATION IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

1. Identification
 Research suggests the conclusive evidence that lip prints are
suitable for the successful comparison, analysis, and identification of
a person involved in a crime. In fact, there have been convictions of
perpetrators who were positively identified via the analysis of their
known lip prints to those found at the crime scene. However, the
development of a cohesive cheiloscopy system to be applied in
forensic odontology is still needed.
 A lip print at the scene of a crime for conclusions as to the character
of the event, the number of people involved, sexes, cosmetics used,
habits, occupational traits, and the pathological changes of lips
themselves.3
APPLICATION IN FORENSIC ODONTOLOGY

2. Sex Determination
 According to Rai et al. (2011), Type I patterns
were found to be dominant in females, while Type
III and Type IV patterns were dominant in males.3
LIP PRINT CLASSIFICATION

Clauco Martin Afchar-

Santos Bayat Kasprzak

Suzuki dan
Tsuchihash
i Renaud

Thickness
Hirth
Classification by Suzuki &
Tsuchihashi
HOW TO DUPLICATE LIP
PRINTS

 Lipstick
 Cellophane tape
 Finger printer roller
 Powder
 Dental Impression
 Photography

30
LIP PRINTS PATTERN
ANALYSIS
 Anatomically, the lips are divided into the upper and lower lips.
 Then, to make it easier, the description of the lip print pattern that
has been obtained is divided into quadrants / compartments,
namely2:
1. One compartment  only the middle part of the lower lip
2. Four compartments  as used in dentistry; there may be >1
pattern for each quadrant; most commonly used in the literature
3. Six compartments  upper and lower right, upper and lower
middle, upper and lower left
4. Eight compartments  Two quadrants at the midline and then,
each quadrant can be further divided into two equal parts as
medial and lateral
5. Ten compartments  the upper-lower lip is equally divided into
five parts
DUPLICATION TECHNIQUE

Visible Invisible
Usually lip prints are found on objects related to eating instruments,
skin, and other surfaces.

If lip prints are clearly visible on the surface, duplication can be

done using cellophane tape (measuring about 3 cm).

The tape is affixed to lip prints with a single motion (must not be
touched, may not be repeated, and should not be displaced).

Next, the lip prints that have been attached to the tape stick back
to the white paper and given an identity or information.

Find a typical fingerprint pattern based on the Suzuki and

Tsuchihashi classification.
 DUPLICATION TECHNIQUE

Visible Invisible

1. These lip prints are not visible, but can actually be found in eating
instruments, skin and other surfaces at the crime scene.
2. Duplication is done by using special techniques using very fine powder
such as carbon combustion, metal powder, etc.
3. The powder is sprinkled using a brush, or magnetic brush with stippling
motion.
4. The remaining excess powder is removed by blowing with "Chip Blower”
5. The powder attached to the print is affixed with 5-10 cm cellophane
tape.
6. The tape is removed (the powder on the lip print sticks to the tape) and
then put it back on the white paper.
7. Then, it is visually and digitally analyzed based on the Suzuki and
Tsuchihashi classifications.
LIMITATION OF LIP PRINTS

1. Subject Associated (Intrinsic)2

 Subject lip activity during the procedure affects the pressure and
direction  does not change the pattern but the size of the lip prints.
 Inflammation and abnormalities such as infections, cysts, and
tumors; also debris.
 Closed/opened mouth  closed (well-defined grooves); opened (ill-
defined grooves) which is difficult to interpret.
 Loss of support due to loss of anterior tooth.
 Lack of ante mortem data for lip prints.
 Lip prints have to be obtained within 24 hours after death to prevent
the post mortem changes of the soft tissues.
LIMITATION OF LIP PRINTS

2. Methods Associated (Extrinsic)2

 Smudging or spoiling of lip prints  frequently on males
because of the presence of prominent facial hair among men.
 Application of thick layer of lipstick
 Over stretching of the cellophane tape on the lip surface
 Pressure and the direction of the pressure
 The inter-observer variability
 REFERENCES

1. Tsuchihashi Y (1974) Studies on personal identification by means of lip

prints. Forensic Sci 3:233–248
2. LH Adamu, and MG Taura (2016) Lip Prints: An Emerging Tool for
Personal Identification. J Biomed Sci 2016; 1(1): 78-87
3. Rai, B., & Kaur, J. (2013). Evidence-Based Forensic Dentistry. London,
New York: Springer.