Year : 2018

Volume : Volume 9

Issue : Issue 2s

Address for correspondence :
Dr. Sweta Gandhi.
sweta_gandhi75@yahoo.com

Abstract

Background:  Human identification has become fundamental in all aspects of human relationships, at both social and legal levels. Investigation of mucosal tissues is important, since these structures provide interesting data for identification, such as the hard palate. Transverse palatine folds or palatal rugae (PR), are asymmetrical and irregular elevations of the mucosa located in the anterior third of the palate. Aims & Objective: To investigate the palatal rugae patterns in males and females of a cross-sectional Daman City Population at Vaidik Dental College and Research Centre, Daman, India and ascertain its use in identification and sex differentiation. Materials and Method: A total of 200 subjects, 100 males and 100 females were selected, their ages ranging between 20-40 years. Alginate impressions were made of the maxillary arch, poured in dental stone and the palatal rugae were recorded and analyzed based on their length, shape, direction, and unification. Results: Total number of rugae in females was found to be more than males. Primary rugae were significantly more in males compared to females, whereas the number of fragmentary rugae was found more in females as compared to males. Predominant shape in males and females was found to be curved. No significant difference was observed in the direction and unification pattern. Conclusion: Assessment of sex can substantially narrow the biological profile for unidentified remains. Rugoscopy can be applicable for forensic identification only when there is available antemortem information for comparison such as dental casts, tracings or digitized rugae patterns. Differences between genders using rugoscopy have been studied by various researchers without any definite conclusions. Larger samples should be examined in detail to further validate the findings of this study. Keywords: Forensic, palatal rugae, sex determination.