The influence of season of birth on the pattern of lip prints in Nigeria

Abstract

Dermatoglyphs and their components can both environmentally and genetically be determined, even though the arrangement of ridges remains constant throughout life. The aim of this study was to determine the predominant lip print types in different seasons and the influences of the season of birth on the pattern of lip print among Nigerians. Five hundred and six students (256 males and 250 females) were recruited. The lip print was collected using glass slide and developed with carbon black powder. Each print was divided into ten compartments for final analyses of lip prints. Chi-square test was used to test for association between the season of birth and lip prints. Statistical significance was considered at p<0.05. The result shows the percentage distribution of
lip print in upper lip in wet season with type III (31.02%) as predominant and type I’ (0.29%) the least, and for dry season the same trend was observed. In lower lip in wet season type V (29.50%) was predominant and type I’ (0.68%) the least, and the same trend was observed for dry season. In both lower and upper lips the season of birth shows no  statistically significant association (P > 0.05) with lip prints in all  compartments. In conclusion, the environmental factor considered in this
study (season of birth) has no influence in the determination of the lip prints patterns. Hence, recommending the use of lip print as a forensic tool.

Key words; Nigeria, powder, lip prints, season of birth