Abstract :
Background: The determination of gender of unknown person is of vital importance in forensic investigations. The most commonly studied bones in sex determination is the pelvis, skull, thorax, vertebrae, femur, and scapula. Skull is the most dimorphic and easily sexed portion of skeleton after pelvis, providing accuracy up to 92%. But in cases where intact skull is not found, mandible may play a vital role in sex determination as it is the most dimorphic bone of skull.
Aim: The present study was undertaken to evaluate the accuracy and reliability of mandibular ramus and gonial angle in gender discrimination using morphometric measurements of National Capital Region population using digital panoramic radiographs. Apart from determining the gender, comparison with different age groups and bilateral side of mandible was also carried out.
Materials and Methods: Upper and Lower ramus breadth, Condylar and Coronoid ramus height and gonial angle was calculated in both males and females in age group ranging from 15-55 years.
Results: Out of the 5 parameters 3 were found to be significant. Gender assessment was established correctly with an accuracy of 78% for females and 80% for males with a mean of 79%.
Keyword :
Gender determination, Mandibular morphometric analysis, Panoramic radiography