Tongues: Could they also be another Fingerprint?

Objectives: The general objective of this study is to search for new personal identification method. Specific objectives were to prove that tongues are different between identical twins and so in the general population and can be used as a print.

Materials and method: Study design: Across sectional descriptive study was done in Khartoum state, Sudan during the period from June 2011 to March 2012.

Study population: Fifty individuals were included; twenty were identical twins (forty persons), and 10 were from the general population, and they were apparently free of tongue lesions and with normal concentration of hemoglobin. Identical twins have been searched in Khartoum state, while the general population were chosen randomly. Tongues lengths and widths were measured. Tongues were compared visually directly and from photos by three persons.

Using different computer programs each tongue was converted into text, chart and special code and comparison between them were performed.

Results: The length and width of tongues were found to be more in males compared to females (p < 0.05). Tongues looked different directly and by photos and computer programs confirmed the difference between tongues even in identical twins.

Conclusion: Tongues are different between identical twins and hence between the whole population and could be a new personal identification method which needs further elaboration.