LIP PRINT MORPHOLOGICAL PATTERN IN RELATION TO NASAL INDEX AMONG ADULTS OF EGBA, IN ABEOKUTA, SOUTH-WEST NIGERIA

Cheiloscopy and Nasal index are important bio-anthropological parameters unique to each ethnic group.
The study aimed at identifying the lip print pattern and nasal index peculiar to Egba people and their possible
interrelationship. The study was conducted in Abeokuta, South-West, Nigeria, among 410 adult Egba
individuals (205 males and 205 females). Nasal height and width were measured using Digital Sliding
Vernier Caliper. The lip prints of the subjects were collected by gently placing a microscopic glass slide on
the lip after a little application of lip gloss. The data obtained were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0
software and the statistical significance was put into consideration using one-way Analysis of Variance
(ANOVA) when (P 0.05). The result showed that the predominant lip print pattern of the Egba ethnic
group was Type V. The predominant Nasal Index among both sexes was 60.00 while their peculiar nasal
shape was Leptorrhine, which can subsequently serve as an important anthropometric tool used in
reconstructive surgeries of nose. The study revealed no significant variation among the lip print patterns of
all types of nasal morphology. The existence of sexual dimorphism in the lip print pattern of the Egba ethnic
group is a peculiar feature that can be relevant in determination of gender in identification of persons during
crime investigations and in mass disaster which are relevant in medico-legal cases.