Cheiloscopy and Rugoscopy : Role in forensic odontology

Any process that possesses the possibility of assisting the forensic field in identifying a suspect should be pursued and, if discovered pertinent, utilised in criminal investigations and legal proceedings. The use of cheiloscopy and rugoscopy fall into this category and because they have been proved consistent and trustworthy to link a suspect to a crime, hence, more emphasis should be given to this field. These analyses provide both qualitative and quantitative results thus its application in the forensic field should be widely accepted by both law enforcement and the legal professionals. Research studies and information regarding the use of lip prints and rugoscopy as evidence in personal identification and criminal investigation in forensic dentistry are very much scanty, but exist as a methodology in forensic dentistry. Lip prints and palatal rugae hold potential as a supplementary tool, along with the dentition, to establish the identity of an individual. Studying in depth and establishing further facts and truth in lip prints will certainly help as useful evidence in forensic dentistry. This is one of the original reviews about the recent updates in this advancing field.