Scholars Bulletin (SB)
Volume-5 | Issue-03 | 112-117
Subject Category: Medical Sciences
The Determination of the Prevalent Lipprint Pattern among Identical and Non-Identical Twins
Ezon-Ebidor Innocent Edibamode, Peter D. Okoh, John Nwolim Paul, Josiah S. Hart, Adozue Chinasaokwu C. Harold
Published : March 31, 2019
Abstract
Background: Twin is a form of multiple birth in which the mother gives birth to two offspring from the same pregnancy. Twins can either be Monozygotic or dizygotic. In this research, lip print as a means of identification in human was studied using 80 individuals (40 pairs- 25 pairs of non-identical and 15pairs of identical twins) of the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria (ranging between of ages of 5- 66 years) residing in Igbo-Ora community of Oyo state in Western Nigeria. The lips of the subjects were properly cleaned and a red lipstick was applied on it. After which, the lip print impression was made on a white plane sheet. Cellophane tape was then struck on it for permanent record. The obtained lip print was studied using a magnifying lens. Results and Discussion: The results showed that the lip print pattern is unique to individuals and there were no two similar patterns even among identical twins and twins of the same parents and tribe. The most distributed lip patterns were type II in both non-identical and identical twin (26.5% and 31.7% respectively). The least distributed pattern in non-identical twin was type V (5.5%), type I’ (8.3%) and type V (8.3%) was the least distributed in identical twin. In total, the most distributed lip pattern in non-identical and identical twin was type II (28.4%) while the least was type V (6.7%). Conclusion: The study has revealed that the most distributed lip pattern in non-identical and identical twin was type II (28.4%) while the least was type V (6.7%). By implication amongst twins whether identical or non-identical, in a random selection there is a greater probability of picking someone who has a type II pattern as the most frequent pattern type. This information could aid in a forensic study and serve as a strong means of identification when the identity was not established beforehand.