Exploration of Methods for Revealing Latent Lip Prints on Disposable Paper Cups

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62517/jes.202502421

Author(s)

Peng Li1, Liangbing Liu2, Yifeng Shao3,*

Affiliation(s)

1Department of Criminal Technology and Intelligence, Hubei University of Police, Wuhan, Hubei, China 2Criminal Investigation Division, Wuhan Public Security Bureau, Wuhan, Hubei, China 3Criminal Technology Unit, Criminal Investigation Brigade, Gaoming Branch of Foshan Public Security Bureau, Foshan, Guangdong, China

Abstract

Lip prints, as biological traces left on the surface of objects through human contact, hold significant value in multiple fields. For instance, in criminal investigation applications, the position, morphology, and temporal persistence of lip marks can help infer a suspect’s drinking behavior at the scene and their duration of stay, thereby playing an important role in reconstructing crime scenarios. Latent lip prints are often left on disposable paper cups at crime scenes. However, due to interference from hydrophobic cup coatings (polyethylene/wax) and the easy degradation of trace biological components, traditional detection methods (such as DNA analysis) face limitations including high cost and poor timeliness. Targeting these challenges, this study explores rapid lip-print development techniques suitable for disposable paper cups. Through both physical development and chemical staining approaches, it investigates the optimal detection method for revealing latent lip prints on disposable paper cups and proposes innovative solutions. Experimental results indicate that compared with powder development methods, the ninhydrin staining technique is more suitable for revealing latent lip prints on disposable paper cups. This study establishes a low-cost, easy-to-operate lip-print development system, provides new ideas for the extraction of trace biological evidence, and has practical significance in scenarios such as rapid on-site screening in criminal investigations.

Keywords

Biological Traces; Crime Scene; Disposable Paper Cup; Latent Lip Print; Rapid Development Techniques

References

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