| Summary: | Background: Lip prints are essential identification tools in forensics. Lip prints are individually unique and inheritable which makes them possible for personal identification. Aim: We studied sexual differences in print patterns and sizes among Ugandans, Kenyans and Somalis. Method: In this descriptive study of 180 adults (60 from each country) clear lip print impressions were made on clean pieces of white plain papers. Lip prints were divided into quadrants and we used Suzuki and Tsuchihashi (1974) classification to study the patterns. Lip length and width were measured in centimeters. Results: Lip print Type I and I’ were dominant in a range of 60–100% in both males and females of all countries. Kenyans had more of Type II (males 26%; females 40%) while Somalis exhibited more of Type IV males 56%; females 46%. However, Ugandans had the least number of Type IV pattern 6.6% males and 13% females. There was no Type V in all the participants. Statistical analysis using a 2-way ANOVA showed statistical significance in the lip print patterns among the different population groups. In the male subjects, Ugandans had wider lips (5.48cm ± 0.50) while Kenyans had longer lips (5.14cm ± 0.85). In the females group; Ugandans had wider lips (4.99cm ± 0.59) while Kenyans had longer lips (4.36cm ± 0.71). Statistically significant difference was observed between the means of lip sizes. Conclusion: This study shows that the lip print pattern and lip size varied significantly among the different population groups. This variation can help to narrow the search gap in criminal investigations and forensic purposes. Keywords: Sexual dimorphism, Lip print pattern, Lip size
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