Tongue prints – Are they true?

Abstract

Tongue is a vital organ situated in the oral cavity. Tongue has unique features of its shape, size as well as has sexual dimorphism. No two individuals have same features of tongue not even identical twins! This idea prompted to consider tongue prints as an innovative and new research tool in forensic sciences for individual identification. Along with other biometric identification tools used in forensic sciences, tongue prints are also playing an important role and a promising tool in human identification. This is a small review illustrating the importance of tongue prints in identification.The main basic threat to Indian society is identification fraud. Innovative and efficient identification systems are an urgent need to combat this social issue. In India, this system of identification is still in the grassroot level and needs more efficient ways of research and planning to implement the same. Studies have found it to be beneficial and comparable to other biometric tools. So research on the potential of tongue prints as a forensic tool iswarranted.